International Thoughts

Yes, I know today was a big day here at home, and I did watch the inauguration (we now have free-to-air TV channels!) But I'm going to say that I felt a bit like Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady when a suiter was confessing his love to her. Her response..."Words, words, I'm so sick of words. If you're in love, SHOW ME."

I'll believe the hoopla when I see something come of the pretty and powerful words Obama speaks.




Right now I'm thinking about another international accomplishment. That is, the formation of the Jamaica Dogsled Team. I brought home a documentary about it called Sun Dogs. (It was in the Sisters library but I'll bet Netflix has it too.) It is a story of a people and an idea and the perception that the world has of Jamaica. Plus its fun. And there's lots of good Jamaican-style music.

The team launched in 2005, and as you read this, one of the mushers is recovering after a race in Canada.












Back home, they train dogs from the streets and the local shelter and give tourists rides around a resort. And they've become national heroes.

The thing that lit my wick is the inspiration of people who don't just venture outside their comfort zone - they cartwheel out of it, laughing and sweating at the effort, determined to find fun and growth among the discomfort.

Now that's putting action into life.