Idealism is Good Oct 03 '00    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet ***Author's Warning*** -- This is an introduction of who I am and what I will be writing about here. Some of you may get your toes stepped on because I shoot straight... maybe that's what needs to happen. For more personal information, please see my profile page. Yes, I am idealistic, but I am for a reason. Yes partly religious, but also partly because of how I choose to see the world. I choose to see it that way because of what I want. I am very picky and I don't settle for anything less than the best (my interpretation of course). You might be asking yourself what a Marriage/Family Therapist who is single, 27 years old, and without kids can teach you about relationships, parenting, kids, family, marriage, [...insert topic here...]. Well, how much time do you spend with your kids a day? A week? Really, that much. Well I spend about forty hours per week working with troubled kids and their families. How about knowledge? Well, I spent two years reading and learning about relationship strategies, and how best to help people help themselves. Oh, speaking of idealism... about 2000 years ago, some guy walked around in the deserts of the Middle East wearing sandals who was pretty idealistic. He seemed to have some pretty good ideas about life, and marriage, and children that a lot of people follow today. By the way, he wasn't married and didn't father any children. I often tell people I have the greatest job in the world. Why? Because what other job is there where you can sit and talk and work with so many different people, and find out what works and what doesn't work when dealing with problems in life. I may have read lots of articles and books, but I have learned the most from my clients. Idealism You may say it's looking at things through rose colored glasses. I don't because along with Idealism comes Realism. Oh, but wait Todd, the two cannot coexist. I disagree, they CANNOT NOT coexist. See, where there is idealism there is also responsibility, and where there is responsibility there must be realism. Realism is the ability to see and admit the truth, and be responsible with and to it. So idealism is not seeing the world through rose colored glasses, but with a clean and clear lens that is open to possibilities. Possibilities? Yes. I also have adopted and live by a motto, "Nothing is impossible" (Luke 1:37). I love a challenge, and idealism and making it work certainly can be. I believe everyone has a shot at the title, to be a champion. The question is, are they willing to reach for it, and be challenged. Idealism is a world where kids do not get abused or neglected. I work with too many kids who are the way they are because of the choices of other people. And these kids pay the consequences for it, and may even pass it along. Ideally, yah... I would like to do some baseball bat therapy, except that it's illegal. So, I work hard to help these kids, to give them a better angle on life ... to attack it, instead of being attacked by it. It's Place Everywhere we look, we see the heartache and troubles of this world. But we don't have to. We could choose to see the hearts of others, and the opportunity they have to succeed and champion something. The place of idealism is everywhere. If it only exists in pockets, it may get snuffed out. Idealism is every family having great relationships. Ideally, we all want that. Nobody gets married saying, "Now remember, I'm marrying you for the heartache and trouble we are going to face in 10 years with our kids." Instead people get married because they have found someone special, and they want to go after life and have a family because they think they have a shot at being a great team. It's Purpose The purpose of idealism is to be open to the possibility that everyone can succeed at life. Ideally, everyone wins. It's that simple. If we choose to see the possibilities, then we aren't blinded by the obstacles. Idealism is every marriage being something more. We all want that. Does it always happen, no. But it can. It takes a strong start, continued perseverance and adjustment, a willingness to change, and a desire to serve the other first. Ohhhh, he said the 's' word. Yes, I am conservative. But you can ask my girlfriend, she'll tell you that I serve her first. Conclusion Yes, I am idealistic. But I also recognize the reality of people's situation. Sometimes not much can be done, but never nothing. I do accept, but not always like, my own limitations and those of others. I don't expect the world from everyone, just their best effort. That's all anyone can ask for. Ideally, we would all give it readily. You might be asking what the purpose has been in all this mumbo jumbo. Well, I would like to believe that this will be a springboard into many areas of discussion for me and this area. This has been an introduction and foundation for whatever comes next. I hope you have enjoyed reading this, and maybe been challenged to be a little more idealistic and look for possibilities. Oh, and if you have a topic you want me to write about or address specifically, you can leave it in the comments or email me. Thanks, Todd

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