When Decisions Make Themselves

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. - Sept. 2, 2013 - PRLog -- By Kenneth Stepp

I'm a Facebook guy. Some of you are, and some are not. I watch how people rush by my news feed with their latest thought, event, or meal. The most amazing thing I see is "Cheerleading". Passionate people announcing their agreement to something. Politics, laws, or issues usually. Well meaning folks with cheering voices. Or digital cheering voices at least. I love them, and at times, jump in and digitally cheer alongside them. Nothing is missing, but more can be done.Waking early in the morning helps assure quiet time for me to think. No one tugs at me at 4:00am. So I get to wonder through my mind and examine the mess I call, my thought closet. This morning was no different. I couldn't go through everything with the time I have left in this body. I just rifle through the ones closest to the exit, and dissect them one at a time.

The closest one was my announcement to quit being an ethics watchdog in my area. That was just yesterday. What I did was evaluate the last year of it and see how I personally benefitted from all the work I poured into it. After an honest look, I knew getting out was the right move. The benefits were nonexistent. The downside was incalculable. I had spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars. I did some good. But not for myself. The emotional cost can be high as well. I am a pit-bull when going after a corrupt politician. But being that has consequences internally. It leaves scars. I won't try to explain that here, not enough space or time. Maybe in another venue.

As a studier of humans, I had a chance to revisit the relationships forged through the ethics gig. I enjoyed almost all of them. Most are caring individuals and civic minded. My favorite kind of people. I seldom discussed personal issues with any of them. I did with one frequently though. We talked about the cost of doing what I do. Not emotionally, or physically, but monetarily. He said, "Kenneth, you have a large base of folks, ask them to help" They cheered me on, sent me tips, and wanted the truth  exposed about one thing or another, so to ask in general terms for donations seemed appropriate. I went on all the Facebook and Linkedin groups I had created and asked for help. The cheering stayed the same. But no one actually joined the team. In one full year, I received $50.00 from a lady I never heard of. Partnering was needed. I put it out there and promised myself I would allow the results to make my decision.

I made great friends and have become fond of so many people during this time. I kind of ran out of resources to dole out for this part of my life. Community involvement is key in anything worthwhile. Perhaps I'll get back in later in life. You never really know about the future. I learned a lot, met many nice folks, and can navigate through the legal system pretty well again. My social media has grown to over 60,000 Georgian's reached daily. So it was good for me. Now on to bigger and better things.

k@kstepp.com

www.kstepp.com

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