A Time To Say Thanks
By
Gary Gerard, dumbhoosier.com
Most times in this space I write about things that I perceive to
be dysfunctional, hypocritical, criminal, unethical or just plain
screwed up.
More than 30 years in the news business watching politics does
tend to make one a bit skeptical and cynical.
So this is a good time to remember that no matter how messed up
things may seem, the good old USA is still the greatest nation on
the planet.
Certainly, there’s always room for improvement and there are
plenty of foibles and foolishness in Washington, but seriously,
where in the world would you rather live?
Thursday was Thanksgiving, of course, and from now until Christmas
is a pretty good time to count your blessings.
Everybody knows the drill. You’re thankful for family, friends,
job, health, etc.
But even so, everybody has problems. I read once that that
problems can seem less daunting if you look at them from a
different perspective.
Fifteen years ago I wrote a column listing some creative ways to
be thankful.
n If you are mad at a family member or a friend, be thankful that
you have family members or friends. Many people are all alone.
Call your family member or friend and make things right.
n If you are upset about a problem you face at work, be thankful
for the challenge. Solving it will build your character and make
you stronger.
n If you don’t like your job, be thankful you have a job. And be
thankful that in our area, despite the economic downturn, there
are still jobs out there for you. Challenge yourself to get a new,
better job.
n If you don’t like your elected officials, be thankful that we
live in a country where you can do something about it. Get
informed and vote for people you think will do a better job.
n If you wish you had more time to yourself, be thankful that your
life has so much purpose. If you’re that busy, you must be doing
lots of positive things. Focus on them. Make those things your
recreation.
n If you wish you were taller, shorter, thinner or fatter, be
thankful that human beings were made so uniquely – each one
different and possessing strengths and weaknesses. And always
remember there is someone taller, shorter, thinner or fatter than
you are.
n If you wish you had more money, be thankful that you have the
opportunity to make more money. We live in an area with many
diverse opportunities. Take the time you spend wishing you had
more money and spend it finding a way to make more money.
n If you are unhappy or upset because you are worrying about a
friend or family member, be thankful that you care. Not everyone
does, you know. But try not to worry too much. Worry can’t solve
problems.
n If you don’t like all the sex and violence on television, be
thankful for Disney Channel.
n If you have health problems, be thankful that advances in
medicine have made treatment of your illness more successful.
n If you don’t like waiting in line at the drive-thru, be thankful
for a moment to reflect on the events of the day or listen to a
song on the radio.
n If you don’t like waiting in line at the grocery checkout, be
thankful for the opportunity to scan the wacky tabloid headlines.
I know it’s a lot to ask. I also know I’m not very good at it. But
this holiday season, let’s try to view the glass as half full
instead of half empty.
Let’s look at the bright side and be truly thankful.
And since we’re waxing positive here, I would like to note that
the demise of the small daily newspaper has been greatly
exaggerated. Certainly, the economy has made doing business a
challenge.
But every business is challenged these days, not just newspapers.
I believe the Times-Union is – and will remain – the best source
for local news and advertising in our county for a long time to
come.
Our Black Friday special this year was as robust as ever.
See, whether people realize it or not, journalism as a profession
is really quite important.
That whole First Amendment thing is pretty significant. Our
forefathers recognized that the greatest protection of liberty is
the free exchange of ideas.
Countries that don’t have freedom of speech and freedom of the
press generally are not very fun places to live. I think keeping
tabs on government officials is one of the most important things
we do.
I won’t say that all government officials are ethically
challenged, but I can assure you if there were no reporters,
public policy and law enforcement at all levels – even in
Kosciusko County – would be vastly different.
Journalism also affords an opportunity for community service. What
we put in the newspaper helps further the causes of all manner of
social service agencies.
We also chronicle the accomplishments of businesses, students and
athletes. And we record the life of the community though births,
deaths, weddings, engagements and anniversaries.
With all this in mind, I would like to say thanks.
First, a sincere expression of gratitude to our readers and
advertisers. We understand that without them, there would be no
Times-Union.
Thanks to all our employees for their dedication to producing a
daily newspaper.
The newsroom staff puts in lots of hours trying to cover this
community. It isn’t easy and lots of times no good deed goes
unpunished for them. There is – and always will be – a public
tendency to shoot the messenger.
The advertising staff does a great job assuring that we have
plenty of pages in the newspaper to cover the news.
Thanks to the people in circulation who deliver the news to you
every day. Many days, they have the toughest job of all.
Finally, thanks to the owners of the Times-Union who have never
been stingy with newsprint and ink. You don’t have to go very far
from here to see a vast difference in the content of daily
newspapers from like-sized towns.
Here’s hoping everybody had a truly happy Thanksgiving.
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