Reflecting is fine, but don't miss the train!

Note: This is an article I wrote for the front page of my news letter this month - prior to Mr. Obamas announcing his train ride. It is a bit longer than most posts, but a worthy post I believe, and I include it here today as a tribute to President Elect Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., and to all of us really. May this be just the beginning of a really great ride into a new day!

When looking back over the year 2008, a giant whooshing, clattering sound, akin to a runaway train, fills my ears, waters my eyes, and rattles my brain. While it is temporarily painful, and some of the residuals are certain to linger a bit longer, I know that the "train" will eventually move on, the dust will once again settle, the whooshing and rattling will become distant, and my eyes will again be clear. I will hear the whistle blow in the distance, and again take comfort in the sound, instead of feeling run over by the train, or like there is simply no light at the end of its tunnel.

I know this, and trust it to be true, because this is how it has always happened. The ebb and flow of the business cycle may seem more prominent this round, and indeed the numbers bare witness to the fact that it is indeed a unique time in this history of ours. However, unique as it may be, one can still hear the clickety clack of the train on its track, as it makes yet another round and we know that the train will pass this way again. Will it slow down, let us get on, let us get off, take us on a pleasure trip through a scenic area, will it stay on a runaway course for a bit longer, and most importantly perhaps, will it somehow manage to stay on its tracks?

Those are all good questions that deserve good answers. While I am not certain all the answers will come as quickly as we would like, I am certain that answers are coming. We have been down these tracks before, and we will go down them again. May be going in a bit different direction, in a newer model train, but the tracks are familiar all the same.

What has probably become obvious to most folks by now is that we are entering a new era, an era that will be marked by the change that it brings, and the change that it inspires. As we embark upon this new era, it would behoove us all to take a moment to pause and reflect upon the momentousness of it all.

While it is easy to focus on the economic crisis in its multiple forms of course, as financing obviously feeds so many needs, however, there are many other factors as well. The problems that have plagued our past, held us back, and nearly tied us down to the proverbial tracks are still with us of course. Health care, job growth, education issues, justice system issues, energy policy, foreign policy, and of course a war on two fronts, makes the job in front of the new Commander in Chief seem almost insurmountable. You can bet he can hear the train!

None the less, our new leader to be has shown grace and composure as he prepares to take the wheel of this runaway train, and ease it down the tracks towards a more reasonable future path, so that all of us may find the ride a bit more pleasant than the one we have been on of late.

Bravo I say! I for one admire anyone who would take on the task of driving this massive train of ours - any day! Particularly if they have a keen eye on the future, with respect to the past, as it would seem that our incoming President does.

Just as we have come together as a nation, exercised our rights, and chosen a leader of a different kind for the first time, so has he brought his staff together, chosen wisely, and placed before us those that will help drive our train into this new era. But the journey is a long one, and there are many station stops to be made along the way. All hands will be needed on this journey, yours and mine included. While generally we are very giving peoples, our "buziness" has taken some of us away from helping others, and that should change. We are in this together, and we need to get out of it together, or as they say, divided we fall. Let's hope it's not on the tracks, I hear there's a huge train headed this way!

If we are to enjoy the ride and the scenery again, and truly have a chance for everyone to have a turn at the wheel, as well as a turn at the sleeper car, we must participate. We must find our faith, believe in hope, vote our conscious, participate in the process, and put forth our best efforts towards every good cause that we can, smartly, and with all good measure. We must get on the train!

Sure, I know, it's scary, we are all busy, and we are not too sure where the train is going.That's life! It's a journey! Without the journey, you just have journeys end, and I don't know about you, but I am not ready for my journey to end yet!

So here's to 2009 and beyond! I have resolved to do all that I can, to help in any way that I can, and that includes helping you. It also includes helping others wherever I find a cause and can find a way. It is, after all, one of the biggest reasons we are here. Aside from that, it makes me feel pretty darned good to make somebody else's day even a little bit better.

Speaking of better, if you live in Austin, Texas you are living in one of the best places in the country! Sure I am somewhat biased, but I am actually talking about by the numbers. We are lucky enough to have some of the lowest unemployment in the country, as well as plenty of good paying jobs coming into the area. New housing starts are down, but appreciation is still up, and sales numbers for re-sale homes have started to trend upwards recently as well. Austin continues to show up on a lot of "Top" list in business and living surveys, and it's hard to shake a stick at 70+ degrees in January!

All of this said, I am reaching out to all of you now, as we move forward, into this new era, together, tickets in hand! Even if the ride gets a bit bumpy, we can find a way to enjoy it and make the most of it. Better yet, we can put forth the effort worthy of us and this momentous occasion with great pride and enthusiasm - Together! Hear that whistle? It's going to be a great day!