Re-dedicating

This is always a tough time of year for me, as we approach the commemoration of the terrorist attacks of 11 Sept 2001.  I can feel it coming as August turns to September.  As each day passes, I can't help but be retrospective, which leads me to introspection, and then to a new dedication.

Dedication:  The act of binding yourself, intellectually or emotionally, to a course of action. 

So here's what I'm going to do.
  • I'm a kind person.  I like the way being kind makes me feel.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to being kind.
  • I believe that when one is denied the inalienable rights set forth in the Declaration of Independence...life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness...then those rights become meaningless for all.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to advocating for equal rights for all.
  • I was taught that there is honor in service itself, not in the type of service.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to serving in the way that seems best to me.
  • I was taught that knowledge is power.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to learning all kinds of things.
  • I realize that spirituality is a uniquely personal thing, and I understand that not all faiths and forms of spirituality easily stand side by side, and that some may reject any form of faith or spirituality.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to respecting the faith and spirituality, or lack thereof, of all.
  • I believe that hate and prejudice are learned behaviors, mainly based in ignorance and fear.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to becoming more aware of my prejudices, to understanding the root causes of them, and to overcoming and eliminating them. 
  • I was taught that I am responsible for my actions, my words, and my choices.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to positive actions, positive words, and positive choices.  I shall own them all.
  • I believe that diversity need not be divisive.  So I shall re-dedicate myself to the celebration of infinite diversity in infinite combination. 
I'm not perfect.  I'm an idealist.  I strive to be the best person I can be.  And periodically, I need reminders that being a good person requires patience and persistence.


So I shall have the patience and persistence to re-dedicate myself to each of the things I have enumerated, and probably a few other things too.

Peace. 
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