Paine-Staking

We have it in our power to begin the world over again.

Thomas Paine 1776

I saw this quote on a visit to the Huntington Library yesterday. As is the case with so much of what Mr. Paine said, sadly the ideal did not always bear out in fact. This was evident in the pictures and writings in the next display that showed the horrors and atrocities as newly minted Americans mowed down cultures in their indefatigable quest for land and riches.

But it was the loveliest of Southern California afternoons, and we had just had a superb tea luncheon at the Rose Garden Café with our son and his wife; so I lifted the carpet of time and swept my dark thoughts beneath.

But something beckoned, so I decided to give Mr. Paine another chance and re-read his quote:

We have it in our power to begin the world over again.

This time, of course, I thought of how this election can and has changed us as a people.

This was a shinier thought, and I let it linger.

Nope...still not quite the thing.

One more look….

We have it in our power to begin the world over again.

And when I got home, I wrote the words in a careful hand, and I put them on my mirror

My mantra

My marching orders

My mandate

Now I understand, Mr. Paine. Thank you.