America in decline?

Normally, I find CBS Sunday morning to be my most anticipated television experience each week. Its the only commercial TV show that consistently delivers a mature, cinematic experience to storytelling. The visuals are refined and artistic. The commentary articulate, intellectual and rarely sensational. I look forward to my CBS Sunday morning happy buzz as I shuffle off to church. That’s why this morning’s program is haunting.

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The subject today was America in Decline. When my favorite program uses a cinematic, articulate approach to talking about America in Decline…it got my attention. We saw dramatic pictures of job lines, oil spills and earthquakes, street-fighting and desert warfare. Everyone was to blame; local and global politicians, greedy wall street financiers and naive individual spenders. But what’s the point?

Sure, China is gaining world influence. Yes, its harder to make ends meet. Yes, yes, yes…we’ve got ‘huge’ problems. The media relentlessly drives that point home like a framing hammer on a roofing nail.

Here’s an idea. What if we stopped listening and watching? What if we revolted by leaving the paper on the stoop, disconnected our cable TV and pulled the fuse on the dashboard radio? Would you worry much about China?

Personal accountability is at the heart of the American idea. No one is making me watch CBS Sunday morning. Here is a fact: because I’m a college-educated person with a roof over my head and more than $20 to pay the cable bill…I am more fortunate than 90% of the people on the planet.

My heart aches for people who have trouble finding safe shelter and real food. I’ve seen firsthand some of our communities in decay. That’s why we continue to give our time, talent and money to helping the cause. On the big scale, I understand that its not enough. We can give more. We are not doing enough.

But individually, on the smallest scale…what if we all stopped comparing ourselves against last year, or last decade? What if we set our agenda personally around the Seven Fs: Faith, Family, Finances, Fitness, Friends, Fun and Future. What if we started by being grateful for what we have now, and focused on what we have the power to improve?

What about taking personal accountability to create positive momentum in your own home?

Lets start the American incline right now. One person at a time. Please jot me a note and let me know how you are going to make your 2011 a great year.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]