Since it is only a week until Election Day, I thought this was appropriate to re-print and share.

"The time is always right to do what is right." Martin Luther King

Jim and I went to see the movie Swing Vote with Kevin Costner and Madeline Carroll. I was moved to tears by the story, more than any love story or "chick flick" I've ever seen.

The film was about ethics, integrity and the importance of one man's vote. While it was about politics, it wasn't political and did a great job of not taking sides. But, the movie was also about not giving up on people, no matter how many times they fail.

Kevin Costner, or Bud, plays a loser - a guy who once had dreams but somehow, somewhere lost them throughout his life's journey.

His comments at the end of the movie were compelling, and for whatever reason, I felt his pain. His statement, "America needs someone who's bigger than their speeches," rocked me to my very core. Maybe it was my sense of patriotism and love for the United States of America. Maybe it was the examination of who I am that took place in that brief moment.

This is more than a movie review or my thoughts on Leadership, it is a call to action. The right to vote, the power of one man or woman's voice, cannot be understated. I believe in the freedoms afforded to me each and every day - choices that are made possible because of the people who have gone before me - freedoms to speak, to worship, and to stand up for what is right.

There was a scene in the classroom where Madeline Carroll's character delivers a presentation on the election process. While I do not remember her exact words, her message went something like this:

Developed societies form because of the lack of certain freedoms. As a group, they rise up. However, there is a cycle that has yet to be broken by any one civilization: Bondage to Freedom to Abundance to Apathy and back to Bondage. If we are to break the cycle and remain in Abundance, we need to utilize one of our most basic freedoms - the right to vote.

As I examine my own conscience, I recognize that my voting record has been spotty. I am not proud of this. I have made a commitment to myself to make voting a priority and to vote in every election from this day forward. I challenge you to make a similar commitment - a commitment to abundance instead of apathy. Are you registered to vote? Are you educated on the issues?

Are you willing to make a difference? I know I am...with one person and one vote.

The time is now to make a difference. See you on November 4th!