Don't Snooze. Get Up!

Is it just me or does your bed also feel the most comfortable right after the alarm goes off in the mornings? It seems that right after the sound of the alarm fills the room with its morning greeting, the bed wraps you in one of the warmest embraces you’ve ever felt.  Some of us steal a few more minutes to enjoy the embrace by hitting the snooze button. Others have timed the alarm with such precision that there is just enough time to complete all morning duties before heading out the door.  Regardless of what amount of time we have between hearing the alarm and starting our day, the alarm itself signals the beginning of our day to work, learn, play or contribute to the world TODAY.  

I find it interesting that in today’s current political and cultural climate, a lot of us seem to be wrapped in the warm embrace of our beds while the alarm clock is going off.  

Alarm! The individual elected to the highest office in the nation has bragged (in a documented recording) about sexually assaulting women. Alarm! The highest ranking government official is being advised by a self-proclaimed xenophobe, racists, race-baiter and misogynists. Alarm! Proven incompetent individuals are being appointed to cabinet positions for which they have NO experience. Their only qualification is their net worth. Alarm! Elected officials we sent to Washington to perform the will of “the people” are more loyal to their political parties than they are to “the people”. Alarm! The country in which we live, a country of immigrants, is attempting to force (through executive order) a ban on the some of the very people who have played a large role in making America the great country it is. What ever happened to "Give me your tired, your poor. Your huddled masses yearning to be free......." Alarm! The leader of the free world refuses to denounce his “bromance” with one of the country’s biggest adversaries. 

I could go on and on but I’m sure you get the point by now. The question is: What are you going to do? Are you going to hit the snooze button over and over again? Are you going to turn the alarm off and enjoy the comfortable bed? Are you going to get up and DO SOMETHING? It’s your decision. My suggestion is that you get up, put your big boy/big girl boxers and panties on and go make a difference.  What does that look like? I don’t know. It’s different for everybody. What is certain is that there is something you can do. Call your respective elected officials and let them know your displeasure with their lack of commitment to "the people". Speak out against unfair treatment of immigrants and people who are perceived to be “different”. Speak up in the office, locker room, grocery store, etc. when folks are spewing hate speech because they somehow feel they have the “right” to speak it now.

Whatever you decide to do, don't get comfortable.  GET UP! Alarms are going off everywhere.