No Need to Settle

                     


                      In this information age, with all the human resources in abundance there is no need to settle for the status quo of limits, negative expectations and resentment. We're told what we can't do instead of the truth, that we can succeed at what we choose to achieve with the gifts God has given every one of us.
                        My dear elderly Uncle Gene lives in Indiana and is a lifelong jazz lover. He was telling me yesterday that he used to drive to St Louis in the 1950's to the Palladium to hear some of the greats. He just found out that it had burned down a few years ago & it broke his heart.
                        I searched online & realized the Palladium had been in danger of being torn down anyway and historical preservationists had been fighting to save it. Very sad.
                         St Louis replaced the historic Cardinal baseball stadium in recent years. If we can build a stadium, we can build a Palladium.  Music soothes the savage beast. We must bring it back, along with the creativity, the dedication and discipline. It will influence other aspects of our lives as well.
  Isn't it time to move on from rap? From the negative, violence inducing tribal style rants? It's been going on for many years now. Enough already. It mostly sounds the same anyway, requiring nothing but a beat and repetition.
                           As I searched for articles about the Palladium, I saw some of the performers on YouTube, the dancers, band members. They had obvious pride in their hard work, abilities and appearance. They were artists. They were grandparents and great grandparents of many troubled citizens of St Louis today.  Their enthusiasm was enchanting. They reminisced about the friendly rivalries, how people would push each other to new heights, Admiration was the norm, not resentment for what others achieved. There was a sense of belonging, pride in each other, in community.  That all can be cultivated and achieved again. We can bring that back.
                          Music isn't the only inspiring possibility, or fine arts which no doubt we have artists among us yet undiscovered.
                           There are other potential areas for excellence to explore. Other historical landmarks besides the Palladium were torn down. We have a skilled construction industry waiting to work on new improved versions of treasures lost. The old Highway 66 landmarks were so charming. Most communities nationwide had landmarks now gone. I remember dining in the TeePee Restaurant by the Indianapolis State fairgrounds as a small child. It was magic.
                            The heritage and history of different areas could be the theme of their revivals. Variety is the spice of life. Why build everything to look the same?
                             We can bring back pride in our cultures, citizens, communities, our Nation.
We can govern our impulses, resources and work together for the common good. The success of others can inspire us to our own, in doing what we are anointed to do. We all have gifts and it's never too late to find our place in this world. We need to work together.
                                                  God bless you all,  Gaile