Wildflower Writes

I live in a medium-sized city.  It's similar in size to Novato, CA; Moore, OK; Euless, TX; Bowie, MD; and Chapel Hill, NC.  In case that helps any. It's not the type of town where everyone knows your name, but it does seem like it's a small world- perhaps 3 degrees of separation rather than 6.  My favorite hobby is introducing people to each other.  I like to be a resource.  In my dream world, I would be able to match every person with their ideal vocation; and fill every staffing need presented by local companies (at least the good ones).  You never know when the people you meet are going to be major players in your life or the life of someone you know.  You never know what fascinating stories they have to share, interests you may have in common, or connections they can introduce you to.  Networking is not merely a business tool.  It is a way of life.  It is meeting the variety of God's creation face-to-face, and helping to bui...

I attended an ADEC (Association for the Disabled of Elkhart County) “Learn at Lunch” educational meeting on Friday. The speaker was Jackie Walorski, Indiana State Representative. Although her topic was legislative updates related to funding programs for the disabled, I learned a lot more. Jackie is probably unique as a politician, but she is a self-proclaimed straight shooter. She reminded the group repeatedly that our government is, essentially, of the people, by the people, and for the people. Did you know it is the job of our representatives to help us? It sounds obvious, but I’ve come to see government as a group of individuals detached from the real world, playing with other people’s money, and spending most of their time arguing with each other. When individuals at this event expressed frustration at applications for assistance that lay dormant on some bureaucrat’s desk, she repeatedly told them, (paraphrased) “Call your representative. Call me. It is our job to solve your...