I am an 85-year-old man,
who is neither a Neanderthal, nor a Renaissance man. I’m just “Charlie Average Citizen” -- I do own a cell
phone (but not a smart phone yet) and I don’t drink bottled water, yet. Yet
being the operative word. I came from a poor family, as we did not live in a
home with electricity, running water nor indoor plumbing until I was 7 years
old. I did have the wealth of wonderful parents, as my father taught me right
from wrong, and mother taught me what love and charity was about. They also
taught me that it was alright to be angry, but never hate. They would say "Let hate be the other person’s
burden". They also would share what we had with those who had greater
needs regardless of its meagerness.
You
can see that I was poor materially, but rich morally... and with these rich
assets, they became my compass in life. I was also blessed to be able to get a world-class
education via an athletic scholarship. In going about the world making my
bones, I was able to navigate a number of disciplines and institutions -- both
domestically, as well as internationally, with a relative degree of success.
However,
it was not until reaching my seventies did I realize I was wealthy. I realized
that I was satisfied with my faith, had reasonably good health, a wife who had
tolerated me for some fifty plus years, children who honored and respected
their parents and in fact treat us like rock stars. I have wonderful relatives,
friends and acquaintances. I was finally able to connect the dots. Wow! How lucky and wealthy can a person be?
I also learned that we are the sum total of our experiences, that’s how we
roll!
Given
my observations and experiences of most of the last century and of course all
of this century, I feel I can offer a unique and seasoned perspective of our
challenges that us average citizens are confronted with at this time. I would
like to help our currently divided nation connect the dots and enjoy a more harmonious
outcome!
~ Sincerely, Charley
Citizen
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