Clark's Spot

As I write this, we’re just a few hours away from something truly remarkable. I really just wanted to make a quick note about it.

On Inauguration Day, 2001, an analyst chimed in for a minute that what he (or she) was seeing was truly remarkable. It was monumental. For all of the angry feelings and political fights that followed the 2000 presidential election, the U.S. had a peaceful transfer of power.

The same thing will happen again in a few hours.

This doesn’t have anything to do with a party or a political belief. It’s just the realization that throughout this country’s history, it’s remained stable by transferring the reigns of executive leadership to a new person – sometimes from a different party. This happens without riots and revolutions without demonstrations and disobedience. The system proscribed more than 200 years ago is carried out in a regular fashion.

Simple. But really something remarkable when you think about the past 200 years’ worth of world history.

The alarm sounded again early yesterday and today. Work resumed after a two week end-of-year break. While I sat reviewing the unread e-mails in my inbox (listservs, notes to myself, and notes from co-workers urging me to follow up on ideas and inspiration), I wondered where the past two weeks went.

I heard a saying once that even a bucket with small holes in the bottom loses water – and will eventually empty just as a bucket deliberately emptied. No missing the meaning of that. Be efficient and effective when using your time. Actually, be jealous so to avoid wasting it. There’s a great thought – whether it be a resolution for the year or a admonition to focus on business when returning to work.

Where did the past two weeks go? I worked on the Lackawanna Historical Society’s upcoming newsletter, traveled to Ohio and to Philadelphia, did end-of-year work for the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, watched some bowl games, researched my ancestors in Southwestern Pennsylvania, read two books – The Grapes of Wrath (#10) and The Seven Daughters of Eve, and worked on a few other projects that you’ll hear about in the near future.

The first Monday back in the office was actually welcome.