for a the story in pictures, see HERE

must see…
typical hoaky indian storyline but amazing cinematography, music and lighting.
but a great depiction of life in india.
and if you know me at all, you know i have a soft spot for all things india.
good job, danny boyle, for another fantastic film.

i stood behind 5 people in line while the 17 year old cashier explained how much she loved the book the woman was buying. why is it she has to affirm every purchase, i cannot help but wonder. are border’s employees told customer’s are insecure about their purchases and therefore need a life coaching session?

i tap my foot. four people ahead of me and no sign of a relief cashier. isn’t there a protocol for this? where’s the back up? i almost ask her to call someone, but refrained. i don’t want to be ‘that person.’

okay, enough with the chit chat. finish up. three more… two more… one more.

‘can i see your driver’s license?’ the bubbly blond asks the woman ahead of me.

the woman fumbles through her purse which seems to be an endless abyss. diving in, she finds nothing but continues to swim around in hopes of uncovering the sacred plastic card.

‘i just need to verify your name on the card. it’s a company standard as we don’t want to…’

‘yeah, i know… i just cannot seem to find it,’ as she continues to fumble through the madness.

i tap my foot again. kind of intentionally, kind of not.

without turning around, i hear the woman say, ‘why don’t you help the customer behind me. i think she’s in a hurry.’

i freeze. in that moment, i became ‘that person.’

here in my business attire, black heals, blackberry, and urgent schedule, i became that person. you know, that person who’s not patient enough to wait in line, who critizes the way the store is run under her breath, who let’s out a sigh when people don’t arrive to the counter with everything ready.

‘oh no. please, go ahead. i can wait,’ i quickly stammer with my face turning several shades of red. if my mom were here, she’d pinch my arm right now and give me that look that all moms have perfected.

finally, the sale is complete and i step forward to purchase my GRE flash cards and on sale christmas ornament.

‘thank you for waiting,’ the blond says as she rings me up.

‘no worries,’ i smirk. she had no idea.

growing up in a community where a political affiliation was equated with my faith and i now live in a world where the right wing never seems to fly and i find myself caught inbetween. for the first time, i’m truly questioning the positions of both parties but not ready to embrace the ideals of either. my head swings back and forth as i watch each side take blows at the other, tackle tough issues and not so tough issues, and fight for what they deem best. one of the biggest things i’ve realized in this search is the persuasion to choose a candidate on two simple issues: the right to life and the right to marry. how is it that these two issues seem to trump all the others?

i have to ask myself, ‘is that all i should be concerned about? is the role of the president to act as my moral compass in these areas alone? what about other issues such as life after birth, our relationships outside our own country boundaries, stewarding the land we’ve been given, the pursuit of peace and justice, the right to healthcare and the opportunity for education? are these two items mentioned by Christ as our two greatest commandments? am i putting my hope in the moral decisions of my country’s president or in the Savior of the world?”

there is no perfect candidate; where one is stronger on one issue, the other is stronger in another. i cannot go to the candidate buffet and pick and choose parts of them as i like. it’s an either or kind of situation and i need to choose what i believe is best for not just one group of people or for two different issues. i have to choose a candidate who will best lead our country of all faiths, all perspectives, all walks of life and live as a beacon of hope in the free world.

our country was founded on the concept of religious freedom. yes, most of the people at that time practiced Christianity, but it was not written into our governing documents. our ancestors left persecution and regulations in europe to set their feet on a land where they could practice freely and without restraint. they created a government which encourages the practice of faith but does not require or define it. they created a constitution which declares this freedom in its first amendment but refuses to establish a national church or excessively involve itself in one religion over another. yes, most of these men were godly men whose lives were govern by the same God we serve today. but as they established this countries foundation, they remembered the circumstances for which they fled, the restraints in which they worshiped, and they were intentional not to make the same mistake twice. we cannot make the same mistake either.

i bring to the table of political discussion an encounter with a Living God which guides my life. the same God whom i believed formed the earth, also knit me together. He was the God abraham spoke to and martin luther king worshiped. it is the same God constantine crusaded on behalf of and fred phelps protests for. in our humanness and imperfections, we do a poor job of representing an all perfect God. sometimes, i think we’re a bit too naive or perhaps prideful to think we have it figured it out. i search my scriptures for Truth and look for God in the moments of my day. i seek to understand if only to learn it all over again the next day. i do not regulate others to follow my way of life or demand they see things as i do. it is only God, not any legislation nor president, who has the power to transform lives from the inside out. I can only hope my life breeds grace and love, earning the respect and opportunity to share the reason i serve others, the guidance to which i make choices, and the Source of my hope.

i’m voting on tuesday but i’m not voting for obama or mccain.
i’m voting for reasons including but also beyond two major issues.
i’m voting for my ancestors who came seeking the right to worship without restraint.
i’m voting for the soldiers in iraq and the communities they are rebuilding.
i’m voting for the rights of the unborn but also for the born.
i’m voting for my friends who are Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Muslim.
i’m voting for those who cannot fight for themselves.
i’m voting for my grandparents who are relying on social security.
i’m voting for the guy in my building who owns his own business.
i’m voting for a perspective to be widened beyond our own country’s borders
i’m voting for the renewable energy we want to provide the next generation.
i’m voting for every person who died giving their life so that i might enjoy freedom.
i’m voting for a government which will be respected and appreciated in the world.
i’m voting for an opportunity to be an agent of change for good and a catalyst of love.

yes, i’ll fill in the bubble next to one of their names;
but i’m voting for so much more than a position. i hope you are too.