Idealism...

I had a great day today:):)...

A day of so much idealism:):)...

I thought, today, about how I don't want to ever do anything that I know is wrong:):)...about doing the right and the best thing, as much as possible:):):)...about being good and doing good for their own sake:):):)...and making peace with the times in my life when I've not done that:):)...

You ever have times when you're a kid...when you got in trouble for something:):)...and maybe get sent to your room or whatever:):)...

And after some time to sleep or cry or think or all of the above:):):)...

That peace you feel when you resolve yourself, again, to do good as much as possible:):):)...

That's the feeling I had today:):):)...

That peace that comes with that sincere commitment to doing good:):):)...to being a decent and better person:):):)...to being good:):):)...

It was really nice:):):)...

I was walking through the park:):):)...after a hot shower:):):)...and feeling that kind of peace:):):)...it was really nice:):):)...

I've been thinking a lot about my summer in Washington, D.C., lately:):):)...and about my days at Wichita State:):):)...

The idealism I felt:):):)...the feeling that things were always going to get better:):):)...and that they were better than they had ever been:):):)...

The total satisfaction with a modest and inspired life:):):)...

The feeling like I was on this earth to contribute to the welfare of others:):):)...and to do good by me, as well:):):)...

It's been great reminiscing about D.C.:):):)...and all the idealism that Brandi and I felt that summer:):):)...together:):):)...

I told Brandi at that some or some time later:):)...that what was so great about that time was how we reinforced each others' idealism:):):)...how we had created something, together, that neither of us could have created alone:):):)...

But...the great thing about these days:):):)...is that this idealism isn't dependent on anyone else:):):)...it's just something I feel:):):)...like I said in an earlier post:):):)...it's like being in love without needing someone to be in love with:):):)...

It's a great feeling:):):)...

I am so proud of the work I've done in my short time here in this life:):):)...and I'm totally looking forward to doing more good like it in the future:):):)...

And I so thank and am proud of my mom and stepmom and dad for doing such a great job -- warts and all -- of creating and supporting the kind of family -- along with teachers -- especially the folks at the special education department at the University of Kansas, Dr. Ericson and other teachers at Wichita State University, and all of the teachers and adults who have helped nurture that idealism:):):)...and friends -- especially my closest friends -- and extended family -- my Grandma and Grandpa Sutherland and my Aunt Kathleen and all of my dad's brothers and sisters, in particular -- who have made all that possible:):):)...

Have a great day, everyone:):):)...

Love,
Ben