The Seed of Ambition

Through the course of history, ambition has taken many forms. Greed, Manifest Destiny, even the "American Dream" to some extent. Often times, though, ambition can be the heart of disharmony. In your climb to reach the top, you may drag others down. Was this not the case in all of the crusades and the exploration of the "New World?" Or in corporations when workers resort to back-stabbing and brown-nosing? Is it right that others should have to fall for us to rise? President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, once said that for us as a people to triumph, we must stand together and lift where we stand. That through unity, we may best further ourselves and our cause. This day, for the first time in the history of our great nation, an African American has been elected to the office of President of the United States of America. I imagine that at the start of his campaign, President Obama felt that perhaps he was being too ambitious, that our day was not the day, nor our time the time for such a revolutionary idea. But the people have spoken that this is the day and time for a man of this caliber. And with this decision they have high hopes for their future. I make no claim that I know what may happen over the next four to eight years, but I do hold firm in the belief that a strong will to overcome and rise is always in the public interest. Even if it only serves to inspire others to take a stand themselves.

Making Time To Be Patient

Its a fact of life that even the most thought-out plans may have unforeseen complications. You strive to prepare as well as possible, but despite your sincerest efforts you are foiled. Often times, the "wrench in the works" is something that, though trivial it may be, remains an insurmountable barrier. For instance, the chief resource of transportation for the evening is rendered unusable due to the fact that it was already being utilized by a co-inhabitant of one's abode. The lack of communication regarding the aforementioned fact results in raised tempers and frigid fingers and toes. The whole affair could have been avoided by planning further ahead and cooperation between the individuals involved. I point I wish to make is thus: Plan ahead, people aren't perfect. Do as much as you can yourself, allowing for your own error and those of others. When things do happen to go wrong, losing your composure is the least helpful thing to do. When you get emotional, everyone else does too. Take a deep breath and decide what to do next. When you have resolved the issue, hold no malice for those who contributed to it. You are as imperfect as they. The whole experience will help everyone make the wiser decision in the future.