Opinion & Letters see more »

GET OFF THE BOAT!?!

The next president of the United States of America ran on a campaign promise of “Change”. It is easy for all of us to want change. The economy stinks, our finest are still in harms way overseas, health care is getting harder to get rather than easier, and jobs are disappearing faster than we can blink. Yes we all want some kind of change, but it seems that few of us are willing to get off our hind quarters and do something about it.

The pastor of my church preached a sermon based on changing course recently. He talked about getting off the boat, where we all feel safe and secure, to step out on the raging waters of life. If we stay on the boat, he preached, then we would just keep floating along and let the status quo run its course. Some of us have gotten fat and happy on the safety of the “Status Quo Boat”, others fat and unhappy. Toward the end of the sermon, one zealous parishioner jumped from his seat and as he walked defiantly to the front pronounced that he was “getting off the boat”, that he was ready for change. That he couldn’t speak for the rest of the congregation, but he was ready and willing to do what it took to make a change for the better and that he was standing beside his pastor and stepping out of the boat. Within moments, the entire congregation “stepped out of the boat” and up to the altar with the pastor.

I am writing this article to challenge all Americans who voted for change this month, and want to “step out of the boat” of status quo. Are you really wanting change, and if so, what is it that you want to change? Regardless of your political affiliation (as both sides of the aisle promised change), your religious or spiritual beliefs or affiliations, to obtain change requires one to alter their current path. The very definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing, yet expect different results.

The people of our little hill country town complain that there is nothing to do in this town, there is an absence of interest, it looks junky and unkempt. Yet the people of this town seem to do little to support the growth opportunities that come this way.

Also, when there is growth they bring in outside people to do the work instead of keeping local money local. For example, how many local craftsmen worked on the new library or the high school when it was built?

How much are you supporting the local businesses? I know that Bobby down at Johnson City Hardware does everything he can to support this town and the needs it has. Super S does a great job trying to support the needs of this town. How much do you support those guys?

How about the local eating establishments? There are only about 4 that have been able to keep their doors open for any period of time and the rest seem to come and go. There is a new place opening up next to Century 21, do you plan on supporting them for more than the first 3 months of being open.

How about the new businesses in town, such as Suzy Q’s, Family Martial Arts and Fitness Center and some of the art galleries, are you supporting them? These folks and other retailers in town are doing all they can in tough times to provide a home town that you can be proud of and that you can shop, eat, exercise and be entertained in.

Oh wait a minute, what do I mean entertained? Well there are a lot of people in this town who work very hard to give you entertainment and your kids something to do. From all the work that David Dockery is doing to get the city park in shape (he hopes to have it completed by Spring), to the work of the volunteers putting together the little league, pee wee, baseball, football, softball, soccer and basketball teams. Great, some of you have your kids involved, but you say what about us adults?

Well there is a mixer every month for people to get together and talk and help generate business for each other. There are festivals thru out the year and fundraisers that put good food in our belly while the proceeds go to good causes. There is the “Music in the Park” that is a free concert every month. This past Saturday was the monthly concert, but it wasn’t exactly in the “Park”. The organizers had to do some last minute shuffling due to the cold and wind and moved it to the old Super S Building. How many of you came out to it? Not many, that’s for sure. I was there and some other folks and we weren’t cold at all. The sausage wraps for sale were well worth the cost and the proceeds went to a local youth group. The music was unbelievable. This venue is really starting to take off as there were no less than 5 bands that performed everything from Christian praise and worship, country music, good old rock and roll, progressive rock, and the feature band of the night blew us all away with some of the best popular Christian music we have probably ever heard live.

So, what does all of this soap box yammering have to do with change? Well if you want our community to change for the better, you have to support it. If you want your country to take a turn for the better, find a way to support it and the change that you want. Stop talking and start doing. If you want your kids, schools and churches to change for the better, support them. If you want your health or physical condition to change for the better, get off the couch, coffee and doughnuts and do something about it. If you want your relationship with God to change for the better, talk to him about it, he is listening, and waiting. Want to get closer to your spouse, work on your communication skills, or try to listen instead of just “one way communicating”. Change comes from action. Come on AMERICA! Stop crying about the problems of today and start doing something about it. Get off the boat, the water may be deep, cold and unstable, but you have to get out of your comfort zone if you want some change! Get off the boat!

Thanks and HAPPY DAY!

Raymond Weeks