America, take inventory!

 

My dad was a liquor salesman, and a fine one. He knew how to talk to people, and he was knowledgeable about his products.

But when a customer called the house, it was important that I relayed the message to him because 99% of the time they were calling because they needed something in a hurry.

Either they were not paying attention to their inventory, or it was a hot item and they were out of it and opportunity was ticking away. My dad just made sure to get the product to the customer and did not have the luxury to criticize or judge the client. It would be pointless anyways.

We need to take inventory as well as baggage. When we talk to people, especially about politics or science, art, or anything really, we must realize our own preconceptions and emotions.

This may be a shock to most of you but both political parties are full of hypocrisy. That is what happens when you base your game plan on agendas and not principles.

As a teacher, I always got mad not necessarily what the students did, but my attitude or “baggage” towards that act. For example, when I displayed a negative attitude, my dad would say, “get that chip off your shoulder boy or I am going to take it off!”

I was mad but now I understand the importance of attitude. Is it really a bad thing if a student uses a sarcastic tone at me or shrugs and not pay attention to me?

No of course not. Might be rude or not very smart, but I was reacting on a subconscious level because I was being reminded about how I felt when I was young.

So America, it is important for me and everyone else to take inventory. Think of how many of us were left with our pants down not having enough toilet paper or cleaning products a few months ago.

That is just physical inventory. Think of emotional inventory that displays itself in anger, sadness, depression, or frustration.

We all must take ownership of our inventory. This will give us insight and some empathy towards the struggles and feelings that others are experiencing.

James Pesutich