Right to our own opinions on things
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In My Humble Opinion
Jodi McDade
Each one of us is an individual with the right to our own opinions on things. We are not required to agree with each other, but we are encouraged to accept people for who they are.
We are not required to like each other, but we are encouraged to not mistreat each other. In fact, God tells us we should love each other – even if we don’t particularly LIKE each other. Sometimes that is easy to do, and sometimes it is not.
It would be a very boring life if we were all alike – same beliefs, same thoughts, same religion, same skin color, same gender! Being a “one of a kind” is what we are – unless possibly the belief that twins are matched sets, and I’m not sure that is always true. We need to try to be accepting of each other and overlook our differences if at all possible. But at the same time we shouldn’t try to force our own beliefs on each other. And then, like my mama told me – if you just can’t like someone no matter how hard you try just stay away from them!
As my column is named everything I say is MY opinion. I am NOT attempting to pass my opinions off as facts, but much of what I write can be verified if anyone is interested. Anyone is welcome to ask me any questions about anything that I write, and I will be happy to explain why I think the way I do. And I am totally open to having a conversation with anyone about pretty much any topic and listening to why they think the way they do.
Unfortunately, our society has changed to the point that open conversations aren’t easy to have anymore. Many people only believe what they are taught at home, at school, or hear on the “news.” Somehow any two people can look at something and see two different things they will never agree on. I do wish we could cordially accept the idea of agreeing to disagree.
I want to thank another contributor to the newspaper for some of her recent topics. Buzzy mentioned several weeks ago about the wonderful natural resources we have here in Coosa County that could be used to draw in tourism to our area – mainly Flagg Mountain. I have been shouting this from the rooftops for years, and it was great to hear someone else with the same thoughts. There are more than 50 fishing competitions on the Coosa River every year, but Coosa County has absolutely NO lodging, food, or business of any kind on our side of the lake. People spend their money in Chilton and Talladega counties and provide revenue for THEIR schools.
Businesses to benefit tourists would bring jobs to our citizens who need them. NEWS FLASH – I was told that the installation of the water lines to the top of Flagg Mountain has started, and that will bring a huge expansion of facilities to the mountain. I urge the Coosa County Commission and the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce to begin collaborating with each other to provide more services in that area.
Another thing I have found that Buzzy and I agree on is the availability of businesses in Rockford. Too many of the buildings are sitting vacant and being allowed to deteriorate in front of our eyes. These buildings are owned by only a few people, and I don’t understand why they will not attempt to rent them out to someone wanting to open a business. They are eyesores and make our county seat look like a ghost town.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a general store, a hardware store, a Chinese restaurant (!!), or a grocery store to bring money into Rockford and Coosa County instead of spending our money in the four surrounding counties? Again, it would be nice to see the owners of the buildings, the Town of Rockford, the Coosa County Commission, and the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce put aside their differences and work together to improve our town.
This is Thanksgiving week, and I have so many things to be thankful for. I have my health, I have a roof over my head, I have food to eat, and I have the absolute best friends anyone can ask for. I have some great family members, but many of them do not live nearby. I am thankful for my church family and the ministry I’ve become involved with at Rockford Baptist Church. I am thankful for all of the people who we have reached through Manna Ministries providing food for people in need. I am thankful for the sun I wake up to and the moon I see as I go to sleep. And I’m thankful that God watches over me.
Thank you to all of you who read my ramblings each week. I was challenged this week to stop grumbling and to be more supportive and positive. I am going to do my best to change my attitude or at least keep my mouth shut. And I’m passing that challenge on to others! But I guess we all know that’s going to be VERY difficult for me to do!
Happy Thanksgiving to all!