JJ's Top Eleven Suggestions for 2012

1. Let God be God. We do not need to defend the Creator of the universe. Let’s use the time, money and energy used to defend God to help some of his creation - people, the environment, animals in shelters, etc. Also, let’s let God be the judge.
2. Politicians: Don’t hurt people for your own personal gain. For example – if you make a nasty comment about Muslims, or gays, or Democrats, or Republicans, or whomever, to ingratiate yourself with the haters and grab some votes for yourself, this might be wrong. If you hold up progress to hurt the other side, this may also be wrong. Try to improve things for everyone, not only your backers. And for American politicians – a news note: “The enemy” is not on the other side of the aisle.
3. Let’s help each other rise up out of this crappy economy. Hire someone; use services; (consultants are an example, but that’s just my opinion since I run a consulting firm!) buy from small businesses; buy local; take risks.
4. I thought America was the land of the free. Let’s grant equal rights and freedoms to everyone. That includes gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders.
5. Businessmen and women – I thought America was the home of the brave. Let’s act like it. If you have money, maybe you can spend some improving your business, hiring needed people, fixing equipment, planting something around your facilities, donating money, doing good for the community and the world. Hoarding cash, firing as many people as possible and cutting cost regardless of the consequences because you are afraid of the uncertain future is not what Americans are proud to do. I’m not sure, but I think the future has always been uncertain.
6. Learn something about another country, culture, religion, viewpoint, race, etc. at least once a week. Get out and see what other people, who may or may not be like you are doing. Try new foods. Open your mind and heart to the richness of others.
7. Religious leaders – Try to be saints instead of gatekeepers, rule makers, and self-servers. As Jesus said, “You know that the Gentiles lord it over them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave. Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20: 25-28 And if you are a religious leader and not a follower of Christ, Jesus’ words are still wise guidance.
8. Enjoy the beauty in nature. There is magnificence in the mountains, the oceans and spanning vistas, but also in a single flower, microscopic organisms and a bird enjoying a meal. I particularly enjoy looking at the bare trees in the winter, especially with the setting sun behind the tree. There is something magical about being able to see the outline/skeleton that is usually hidden from our view.
9. Dance; or sing; or play an instrument; or make rhythm; or clap along; or bang on pans with a wooden spoon. (Our grandson seems to really like the banging on pans!) Enjoy music.
10. Help a child; teach a child; enjoy being with children; attend children’s games and shows and concerts and recitals and events. Let’s make the children more of a priority. One NFL game (for example - 70,000 seats sold at an average of $85 per seat) yields nearly $6,000,000 in gate receipts. Contrast that with buying musical instruments (say $750 each per instrument) for a school of 2500 students, which would cost nearly $2 million. I am not suggesting we give up on football, but consider what would happen to the lives of children over the next twenty years if we spent a portion of the money expended on watching millionaires play football (or substitute many of the other pro sports) and instead spent some of it on the children.
11. Enjoy Diversity. Pray for peace. Have a blessed New Year.

JJ Gufreda