I voted

Today is St. Patrick's Day. That gives me a reason to get dressed. In green!

Today is also election day and I voted, so I am wearing my little I Voted sticker and plan to wear it to my third reason for getting up and getting dressed.

Today is our building's monthly potluck.

I was thinking of the ways we think of ourselves and who we influence this morning.

Long long ago I worked for the top auto insurance company in the world. I had the second lowest pay grade they had, but I was good at what I did and it never occurred to me to be ashamed of my lowly status.

Later I taught old fashioned preschool. Two classes of fifteen three year olds twice a week and I was proud of what I did. Influencing the future people who would run our country, teach our children, and care for our earth.

Now that I am retired I sometimes do not even have to get up and get dressed. That is a dangerous state of mind. Everyone needs a reason to get up. I don't really have a problem with that part. There are many things I do when I'm up. I paint, play my keyboard, read, write, play games on my phone, rearrange my furniture. But I can do all of those in my pajamas!

When I summon up the energy to actually dress up and get out a bit I feel really good, so you'd think I'd do it more often.

I don't.

When I do, just wearing my I Voted sticker influences people. Small things. Small perspective, but it counts.