Half-full or half-empty?
Published Thursday, March 13, 2008
Last week, I talked with a friend about all that was happening in Natchez. "Can you believe what is going on with the hospital?" I said. After a couple minutes talking about the subject, my friend said "I believe in this town. I know in my heart that this town will be bigger and better someday — not 30 or 40 years down the road, no sooner."
In recent weeks we have seen headlines that point to several crises in the community — from the hospital's financial troubles to problems with the Natchez-Adams School District.
I have noticed that when situations like these happen most people divide up into two camps.
My friend falls into the optimistic camp. He is the kind that believes that there are people out there who want the best for the community, who roll up their sleeves, do the hard, creative thinking and make the future happen.
He also said, if you look at all those who speak negatively about the community you will find that most, if not all, are not doing much — just standing on the sidelines telling others why we are not winning the ballgame.
He says despite all of the loud voices saying Natchez is doomed and falling apart, there are people out there who refuse to listen to those voices. They are not content to sit and talk. No they get out and do.
My friend is like that. He works on numerous boards, is out delivering meals to the hungry, helping build the community one relationship at a time. He is out there doing things.
Maybe I need to be out there doing something.
Comments
I agree with you Ben. While I am forever an optimist, I often find my self thinking there is more I can be doing for the community. I am a public school teacher and a mother of 3 kids under 6, so my "free" time is hard to come by. But I plan on getting involoved in something worthwhile, that I can get my kids into also. I think it is important that they realize that giving back is a great gift.
From the write-up, I am surprised that the ND has an opinion poll.
Even though some of us feel powerless against the establishment, we do have an opinion.
Another way to put it, if I disagree with your opinion, my glass is half empty but if I agree, my glass is half full.
HMM!
Gary,
I don't think that is true at all. I think everyone's opinion is valuable and has nothing to do with optimism or pessimism.
You can disagree with me and still be a half-full kinda guy.
In fact, many of your comments suggest that you are looking to push Natchez in a positive direction. What can be more optimistic than that?
But there are many who don't mind sitting on the sidelines predicting the town's demise without putting forth an effort to prevent it. That to me is the height of pessimism.
Ben,
I could not agree with you more. The acknowledgement of goods things around us will not only help us mentally but will also help us physically. It all comes back to treating others the way we would like to be treated. It is an idea I got from an all time top selling book.
Have a great day.
I think we are winning
Downtown is rejuvenating and some industry is taking root again. I'm kinda glad that we don't have any more of that nasty smelling air pollution stinking up the town.
There are people thinking about the future. We do need some more roads to divert some of the trucks around town off of the business sections of 61 -and to develop some industrial zones out in the county, downwind of town.
We have our losses, but we are learning our lessons
People are getting fed up with the poor performing school system, and they are doing something about it. They are making noise about it and getting attention. People are calling their political leaders and requesting action.
We have a beautiful town. We do have spikes of criminal activity, but we catch our criminals, for the most part. We need to be sure the judges punish them appropriately.
I don't see things as being so bad. I hear people say there's nothing to do, but I don't understand that. I don't have any trouble keeping myself occupied. I think it's just a matter of taking action and being resourceful.
I think there are far too many of us not volunteering and working together for the good of our community. We should all try to seek ways to improve upon all aspects of the problems here instead of overlooking them or complaining. If we could all do this we wouldnt have as much crime or pessimisim. Our community will be stronger and together we could actually change things. I think Natchez is beautiful; and we have the potential for a bright future.. if we only try to improve. Thanks for the article Ben. I hope to find some challenge every day to better the community and hopefully a random act of kindness.
Natchez is done...!!! There is no help....
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