mixed-up monday: red, white & you

 “Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.” Albert Camus

Between TRUE BLOOD, THE GOOD WIFE and occasional doses of RIVER MONSTERS, THE VOICE and CALL OF THE WILDMAN with the kids, I considered my TV dance card to be full.  So, I steered clear of the HBO series GAME OF THRONES and any other potential temptations in an effort to avoid adding another really-want {OK, need}-to-watch-show to my week.

And then along came THE NEWSROOM. It rolled out in the TRUE BLOOD afterglow, and the riveting opening scene pushed me back onto the couch where I then stayed for the entire hour. In it, cable news anchor Will McAvoy {Jeff Daniels} answers the question, “What makes America the greatest country in the world?”  His explosive response made me flip through a range of emotions faster than cards flying between a Vegas dealer’s hands.  {Click on the photo to watch.}

After I listened to this character’s often cringe-worthy barrage of reasons why America had tumbled from being “star-spangled awesome,” one word kept popping into my mind — UNITED.  If an alien touched down in the U.S. of A. right now, wouldn’t it wonder why our country is called the “United” States? Dissent seems to have taken the wheel with healthcare, immigration and a long list of other issues drawing line after line between us.

As campaign season ramps up to a deafening pitch, the noise of us vs. them is sure to crescendo. Instead of getting caught up in the current of rhetoric and negativity, I’m going to hold tight to my belief that everything great is a work-in-progress. There is power in being united instead of ripping apart our leaders and tearing ideals into little scraps that appeal to individual priorities.

On Wednesday, in the midst of flag-waving and fireworks, I plan to make time to think about what makes America great without turning away from what we need to join forces to improve. And then what?  I’m going to think about concrete ways I can make a difference and take a step.

I invite you to join me in reflection and in action. Let’s unite.

This week’s playlist is inspired by the U.S. of A. Check it out on Spotify.