By Senator, Lena C. Taylor
Senator Lena C. Taylor
Just because December has yet to bring Milwaukee a real Wisconsin blizzard, doesn’t mean the holiday season hasn’t taken 2011 by storm. As we begin to receive warm tidings from friends, solace from family and a decorated cookie or two, it’s important we stop and take a moment to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. In the midst of a dreary economic climate and a heated recall debate, now, more than ever, we can’t lose sight of what is truly important in life: love, friendship, respect for our fellow neighbors and a willingness to give back to the community.
The holiday season, at its heart, embodies so much more than the material possessions sitting in our shopping bags and decorating our halls. It is a time to meditate on the metaphysical gifts garnishing our everyday lives and a time to remember that not everyone is as blessed. To many, the holidays are a season of struggle. Struggle to battle cruel unemployment rates, secure shelter from the cold and even put food on the table. So this year, rather than get swept up in a tornado of presents, treats and holiday parties I ask that you please join me in keeping each member of our community in your hearts and minds.
Instead of breaking under the weight of Wisconsin’s dwindling economy, we should use the recession as a reason to further share and care for the struggling members of our community. The current economic drought has the potential to strengthen our conviction to give to those less fortunate. Rather than relinquish our hope for a better tomorrow, this holiday season is the perfect time to join hands in an effort to increase our faith in the future.
As a Senator of this great state, I will not surrender to the idea that times will always be this tough. I continue to fight each and everyday to make sure the future for our children, for my son, is as bright as the lights trimming our houses and streets. It is up to all of us to improve the state of our economy, and I believe that, together, we can.
That said, being surrounded by our families and friends gives us the added element of togetherness. Rededicating ourselves to the community allows us the opportunity to give and share with local schools, churches and neighborhoods. If we join hands and work to give back, we better the holiday season for our communities as a whole. Ultimately, this fellowship lifts the spirits of the needy, and instills a sense of faith that Wisconsin ’s citizens are able to look beyond themselves and into the needs of others.
This year, lets brainstorm ways to be a thankful part of someone else’s life. Reaching out may have a stronger impact than you will ever know. If I encourage anything this holiday season, it is not only to express gratitude for your own blessings, but to bring blessings to the individuals who need them the most. We are all given the unique ability to touch the lives of others and the holidays provide us the perfect opportunity to give back—helping us to become an integral part of what this joyous season is all about.
With that, I would like to wish everyone a happy and blessed holiday season. I am proud to call myself a Senator of the great state of Wisconsin and will keep each and everyone of its citizens in my thoughts and prayers this winter. God Bless!