It is a sad state in my world.  The need to maintain relationships, present an exceptional professional image, and further my career make it nearly impossible for me to express an honest opinion on anything controversial.  More often than not, it isn’t even something controversial.  Sometimes it’s nothing more than wanting to express my disdain for nurses who wear scrubs with cartoon characters on them (is Spongebob Squarepants really the image you want to present as a health care professional?).  

I am a self-confessed “judger.”  I judge.  Of course, most of us do.  Many of us claim to be “live and let live-ers”, but deep down, our opinions take shape.  And I don’t think that’s a bad thing. 

The current focus of my judgement is poseurs.  But not in the “I have a need to stand out so I dress like a bad-ass for no particular reason” kind of poseur.  Let me explain…

In the community I live in, there are hundreds people who claim education is their top priority.  Their opinion, if you were to ask them, is ensuring that our area has the best schools, that our children have access to the best resources, and that we remain at the forefront of the education system.

Nothing wrong with those answers, right?  They’re probably what you would say too.  What most of us would answer.  Which is ironic, because those same parents are the ones voting against referendums to fund our school district.  Who show up at school board meetings to complain about issues they are indescribably ignorant on.  And who despite all their claims to have education as a priority, have no desire to take steps to make that happen.

Apparently, education is a priority which someone else should take care of for them.

So for the sake of all of us and our proclaimed values, let me present you this message:

Right now, name what your top values are – personally, professionally, whatever.  Now, what are you doing to live your values?  If your faith is one of your top values, do you regularly attend church?  Do you pray?  Do you make offerings to the religion of your choice?

If education is your priority – do you pursue your own?  Do you serve on committees to ensure the best education for the children in your community?  Do you sit at a call bank for hours in the evening organizing “yes” votes for the latest district referendum?

The point of this is nothing more than to say live your values.  Live your values.  Choose what is important to you and serve it with vigor.  Because if you don’t make the effort to pursue it, it was never important to you to begin with.