A better future is possible

Thank you, Ken, for the challenge to envision a non-partisan future, (Sept. 30th editorial). It reminded me of trying to carry a steaming hot cup of coffee filled to the rim back to the breakfast table. If you look at the coffee trying to control spillage, one over corrects to the right a bit then to the left and it sloshes back and forth until you have a half cup of coffee for breakfast. Whereas, if you keep your eye on the destination, one can easily walk it back to the table without spillage because with a sturdy base and vision, balance works.

So let’s start with the sturdy base. When one internalizes universal values of truth, trust, openness to other’s points of view and new ideas, throw in some compassion, understanding and some humor, we have an easy flow of ideas. However, if we hold tight control to one way of thinking, we overcorrect to polarities like slopping our coffee.

Holding tight to power and control eventually fails because life and our future is not static.

To many parents, letting go is a giant lesson our teenagers teach us, if we have not learned it in other ways.

So let’s start by giving way to a flow of change. The wisdom and experience of the elders mixed with new ideas of youth, research and science can take us toward innovation. Then we need vision to point that innovation toward progress.

Envision the sense of freedom to respect others.

Envision our present polarization morphing into discourse.

Envision renewable endless energy powering clean air, water and healing our carbonized planet.

Envision all lives matter, having respect and equal chance at distribution of resources including health care, shelter, wholesome food, satisfying work.

Envision critical thinking being able to distinguish propaganda from truth/

Envision … .

Joan Cross

La Conner