Enjoy articles written by are very own Pam Jackson, Program Manager of the Seniors Wellness Society.  The Seniors Scene comes out every month in the Penticton Herald.

                                              God, grant me the serenity
                                       To accept the things I cannot change
                                  The courage to change the things that I can
                                     And the wisdom to know the difference

It is a New Year and I find myself reflecting on these words.  Whether or not you believe in God or a higher power, I invite you also to take a few minutes to reflect on these words.
Just since the beginning of the year, we at the Seniors Wellness Society have had a session on the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) and sessions on Current Events. We have deliberately built into our calendar opportunities for discussion, disagreement and involvement

When our speaker for the HST came, I will admit, I made it clear that this was to an information session and not a time of political statements.  Having said that, in my discussion with the speaker and his wife prior to the session, I had the opportunity to hear them speak passionately about their stand on getting the word out.  I found myself impressed that these people had knowingly taken about 2 years out of their lives to inform people.  This, I am sure you will admit, is a considerable length of time to take out of your life for others.

In these days where apathy seems to be the way of our times, this particular speaker (and all those who believe they can make a difference), should be applauded for their “courage to change the things that I can”.  I take you back to an editorial in the the Okanagan on November 21, 2009 entitled “Democracy needs dissent”.  Those who care enough to stand up for what they believe (whether you agree with them or not) are exactly what we need.

I heard an interview with Flora McDonald recently wherein she spoke of Wall Street and the mess which they in their greed created, and the fact that it was known some considerable time prior to the collapse of things by a few people – obviously those few people decided to take the wide road choosing to say nothing, choosing to sit by and watch as so many, the world over, paid the price of their lack of ethical integrity and courage.

For all those who make that deliberate choice to stand up and be counted............Thank you!  Thank you for your voices, your courage and your energy for we all know it does take all three plus so much more.
We recognize that we are the beneficiaries.  You are the people who carry that torch from Flanders Field as democracy is held high.  Again................thank you!  And so again, I close with those words:

                                               God grant me the serenity
                                       to accept the things I cannot change,
                               the courage to change the things that I can
                                       and the wisdom to know the difference.