This personal story is my take on a man who just happens to be a politician. It has nothing to do with political party, left or right, liberal or conservative. It is simply about how one human being’s words inspired this human being’s heart and mind.
Have you heard of Pete Buttigieg? I hadn’t until a couple of days ago. He is the current Mayor of South Bend, Indiana who has thrown his hat into the 2020 Presidential race. Within minutes of listening to Mayor Pete’s thirty minute casual and candid interview, I found myself feeling both uplifted by his character, intellect and eloquence and saddened by the realization of how long it has been since I have truly felt inspired by a political leader’s presence.
Intrigued and engaged, I sipped on my morning brew and allowed my usual cup half full perspective on life to be reinvigorated and refueled. In a very short time he reminded me of what “the high road” looks like and how those who choose it, conduct themselves.
After listening to this inspirational 37 year old Harvard grad, Rhodes Scholar, lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve and Afghanistan vet share his vision for America – this flowed out of my grateful heart.
Ironically, “the high road” is only found on the journey of embracing lowliness. It is hidden in humility not revealed in haughtiness.
To seek it and to find it requires one to be more empathetic than apathetic.
To walk it, inspires one to care for the weakest among us instead of exalting and emulating those who find their strength in power and greed.
The high road has no lanes for pettiness, rudeness, hatred, bullying, boastfulness and mockery.
It is the path embedded with the footprints of the foot washers, the consolers, the givers and those who see the virtue in choosing selflessness over self-adulation.
The high road is the chosen route of servant leaders who rise above personal criticism and give no oxygen to petty tit for tat.
It is the preferred way of those who seek to lift others up, those who inspire all people everywhere to also find and take the same path.
In a time where the high road is obscured by overgrowth of indecency, all who wish to find it must first look in the mirror.
The high road . . . may it never be lost in the wilderness of men’s darkest inclinations but forever and always be the chosen path of the best of us.
I am so thankful for the Mayor Pete’s of the world. I hope this next generation produces many more like him who possess a big heart for all mankind. No matter what political filters we view the world through – hopefully there will always be those who speak words that unite us and remind us what humanity can be if we journey together on the high road.
The Zen Den
Hello and welcome to The Zen Den. My name is Alison and while I am passionate about many things, my most inspiring driving force is human connection. Blogger, content writer, orthopedic exercise specialist, motivational speaker, international yoga pro, published songwriter, avid poker player, mom and wife are just a few of my titles. But when I do my job at NASA, I am known simply as “The Fairy Zenmother” a role I deeply love because people invite me into their space to help them find their center, relax and stretch their muscles and destress their mind. Here in the blogosphere version of The Zen Den, I invite you into my world where I will explore ideas for creating a better tomorrow and a kinder today. And hopefully, with insight, authenticity and humor; my words, observations and experiences will help you feel calm, centered, intellectually challenged and spiritually enlightened. Alternatively, if you have something you would like to see covered in The Zen Den, just let me know. Your feedback is welcome and valuable to the success of this blog. Finally, my heart is filled with gratitude to have this opportunity to share with all of you.
