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Weekly Update 10/16 to 10/22 #143
George Strait, Bon Jovi, and Rihanna all have songs about today’s thought, but before I share the connection from across these different genres, I will share some from my week serving as mayor of the best smalltown in America.
Congratulations to Park Director Stacy Findley on her recent award from Turning Point Domestic Violence Services. She was recognized with the 2022 Mission Partner Award for her partnership work on the pollinator garden project at Westside Park. Again congratulations, Stacy, and thank you for being a part of our team. I look forward to seeing what else you accomplish with our numerous partners.
Turning Point Domestic Violence Services currently has a Clothesline Project on display on East 4th Street in front of the Cummins Engine Plant. The event to hang the shirts is always a somber reminder of what goes on right here in our community. Domestic violence is not just a problem here but everywhere. Nationwide, 20 people are abused by an intimate partner every minute. Thirty-three percent of women and 25% of men have been abused. I encourage you, if you have the chance, to stop by the 800 block of East 4th street and walk the display. Thank you to all the volunteers who participated in the various pieces to make this display happen. Special thanks to Candace Foist for all her work on this project. Keep an eye on The Tribune for an upcoming story.
Congratulations, Airport Manager Don Furlow, on your recent retirement. As said at your party, “you left the airport better than you found it.” Projects completed are too many to name, and I am sure you will be remembered often. Enjoy your extra time with your family, and thank you for your service to our community over the last few decades.
Several genres of music and dozens of artists have songs about choices. Today, though, I want to encourage everyone to remember to take a pause as you choose where to put your focus. On any given day, I have hundreds of chances to focus on the negatives around me. Sometimes, unfortunately, I do, and I had one of those days recently, and it carried over into my mood. Then after my mood was good and soured, I was crabby to those I love the most, my wife and kids. They didn’t deserve my mood and they shouldn’t have had to deal with it. They do realize, though, as I do, that I am human and sometimes I make mistakes. After a good night's sleep, I was reminded to choose to look for the positives, look for the good even if you have to look a little harder. Look for and focus on the good. I promise you it is there to find, and sometimes, it is the smallest of things to focus on. That focus, though, can help you through the darkest of times. It can be the difference between failure and success. Martial arts legend Bruce Lee had this to say about focus, "I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." If you practice focusing on the positive 10,000 times, it will become second nature, and you will be shocked at how much better your life becomes. Not because nothing negative happens, but because you get better at seeing the good in situations, in people, and in life in general.