Which makes it very strange that I ever sought out a public office. It's the kind of thing I probably would never have done thirty years ago but when I was approached about being appointed to serve on a local municipal board some time back I saw it as more of community service than anything else and since I dearly love my community I agreed. Fast forward a few years and suddenly I'm running for an elected office and can hardly believe it myself.
I've been in office nearly twelve years now and here's what I love about it: nothing keeps you as humble as being in elected office. Because people seem to feel free to be as rude and unkind as they want to be when you are the target. People who would normally be friendly and polite seem to think that once you are in office you are fair game for their barbs and nasty comments and I sometimes wonder what happened to the days when people actually respected their public officials. That was a long time ago now, but it must have been nice!
Well I've become pretty much immune to the worst comments that come my way. I've been called everything from an animal hater to a moron and I've come to understand that the truth is usually somewhere in the middle, almost always. So I try to listen carefully to the measured and well-thought-out comments offered by most citizens and pretty much dismiss the more hateful ones, while still making the effort to absorb any truth among the vitriol. It helps t have a sense of humor and I can't imagine not being able to laugh about it.
It's truly a delicate balance. And its also very humbling!
3 comments:
Maybe if you went to "college" you would know how to spell it!
I've always taught my kids that just because someone says it as truth, it isn't always, and that if it's about you, then live your life so that no one will believe it. You are not a moron... and I really don't know about the animal hater, but I tend to doubt that.
Ah well...everyone has an opinion about everything, don't they?
It takes a long time to be lucky enough to get comfortable with who you are....a couple of silly words shouldn't change any of that. Keep smiling!
Hmmm...well I do actually know the difference between "college" and a "collage", but unfortunatly spellcheck often fails me! I guess it doesn't understand the difference between the institute of higher learning and the art form. Nor can it decifer my intent. But since I know plenty of college grads who have far worse language skills than I, I won't be too insulted by your anonymous comment!
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