{"id":3039,"date":"2014-04-01T06:38:03","date_gmt":"2014-04-01T10:38:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=3039"},"modified":"2014-04-01T06:49:17","modified_gmt":"2014-04-01T10:49:17","slug":"important","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=3039","title":{"rendered":"important"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"IMG_1457\"<\/a>So as I sat in silence, prepared to pen today\u2019s post, I ran through my mental list of what\u2019s most important and what I desire to discuss today.<\/p>\n

I contemplated writing about health care…<\/p>\n

Sorry.\u00a0 I know this is an issue to which the Intramuralist frequently refers; my sense is simply that it\u2019s a glaring example of partisan politics, in which transparency is scarce, economics and ethics are compromised, and neither advocates nor opposition are respectful of contrary opinion.\u00a0 Today is supposed to be the first day in which annual enrollment is complete, and mandates and fines are imposed.\u00a0 Talking with several of you across the country, I also hear your irritation in regard to how this has been implemented and executed.\u00a0 We could discuss this today, but my perception is that it isn\u2019t what\u2019s most important.<\/p>\n

We could speak of Russia\u2019s armed aggression…<\/p>\n

Two weeks ago, they voted to annex the Crimea region of Ukraine after the people in the area supported a public referendum.\u00a0 (I wonder…\u00a0 if Minnesotans voted to be part of Canada, would we so easily support letting them go? \u00a0But lest I digress…)<\/i>\u00a0 \u00a0I cautiously watch Russian Pres. Putin as he strongly and swiftly alters the Ukrainian border.\u00a0 I watch, too, how his military amassing seems unthwarted and his ambition unmoved no matter the words of Western leaders.\u00a0 And then I see Pres. Obama on ESPN.<\/p>\n

I contemplated writing about Obama on ESPN…<\/p>\n

I have mixed emotions on this, friends.\u00a0 The Intramuralist is no fan of being a critic for critical sakes.\u00a0 I expect our nations\u2019 leaders to have interests outside of foreign policy.\u00a0 But there\u2019s something about Pres. Obama\u2019s frequent flirtation with pop culture that makes me uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

On ESPN, the President did his annual analysis of his NCAA college basketball picks.\u00a0 We all<\/i> do that.\u00a0 (Ok, most… sorry, Mom…)<\/i>\u00a0 But the point is that the kind of analysis the President presented takes significant time.\u00a0 It takes focus.\u00a0 It takes energy and concentration to know that the Spartans of Michigan State were in position to make a long run in the tourney, due to their preseason ranking, early season injuries, and late season prowess.\u00a0 That takes time \u2014 more than the 2 hours interviewed by the original Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.\u00a0 Beyond a shadow of a doubt, I want the leaders of our country, regardless of party, to spend their time on what\u2019s most important.\u00a0 Right now, our foreign policy and relations are vital.\u00a0 Pop culture is not.\u00a0 Is it right?\u00a0 Is it wrong?\u00a0 I can\u2019t definitively answer those questions.\u00a0 I simply suggest it makes me uncomfortable.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And so as I was seeking to focus today\u2019s blog on what is most important, I had to chuckle.\u00a0 Down at the bottom of my page, as I prepared to type, was the following:<\/p>\n

\u201cjosh is a awsome son\u201d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

So my 12 year old, special, special needs son doesn\u2019t consistently hit the \u201cshift\u201d key.\u00a0 His spelling isn\u2019t always correct, and sometimes he talks differently that you and me.\u00a0 There are a lot of things he can\u2019t do.\u00a0 But what am I focused on?\u00a0 On what he can\u2019t<\/i> do \u2014 or what he can?\u00a0<\/i> Only one of those responses prompts gratitude in me this day. \u00a0 So I stopped writing, went to his room, and teased Josh about his semi-humble, self-assessment.\u00a0 He immediately matched my chuckle with his own contagious glee, and then joyfully said, \u201cMom, I want you to write about me today.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Once again, when I look at life through eyes other than my own, I see what\u2019s most important.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Respectfully,<\/p>\n

AR<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So as I sat in silence, prepared to pen today\u2019s post, I ran through my mental list of what\u2019s most important and what I desire to discuss today. I contemplated writing about health care… Sorry.\u00a0 I know this is an issue to which the Intramuralist frequently refers; my sense is simply that it\u2019s a glaring … <\/p>\n

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