Okay, maybe everybody doesn't know that. And maybe they don't make everything better. But the other day, when I was feeling utterly dismayed, an internal force demanded that I buy frosted donuts with colorful sprinkles.
I complied. It seemed the only reasonable thing to do.
Last Friday morning, as I readied myself for work, I decided to stop on my way into the office and buy donuts. My staff had been working hard and they were all exceedingly tired. In the world of the college recruiter, the early months of a new year are particularly taxing. Having criss-crossed the United States, attended dozens of college fairs, and talked with thousands of people, I knew my delightful little crew was feeling road weary. They needed a boost and a thank you. But I didn't want to ply only my direct reports with sugar, flour, and fat; I figured everyone in the office would enjoy some tasty, greasy, albeit empty calories.
As I drove to the donut shop I did what I do every morning and turned on my car radio to catch up on the latest news. I listened in horror. Not the kind of horror one feels when something unthinkable happens and lives are lost. Not the kind of horror rendered by vengeful supernatural beings. No, this was a horror provoked by the behavior of political candidates who aspire to lead our country.
I use the word lead loosely.
I listened in horror as I heard grown men bullying, making fun, chiding, speaking vile and ugly things. Making up lies. Talking over one another. This was the reality TV of politics. And these are the people who want to take over leadership of our country???
There was nothing in their behavior that represents leadership. Not. One. Thing. Although I rarely think shame is a good or called for emotion, in this case, those men should be ashamed. Deeply. To their core. I fear they aren't ashamed in the least. As I listened to the recorded clips of their appalling public display I was utterly horrified, disgusted, and terribly disheartened. What a degrading display of immaturity.
Lead our country???
In a world that seems increasingly nasty and rude, where dignity and grace fade into the background of vulgarity, I would hope that the very people who desire positions of leadership would present humility and self-respect. A leader makes the world a better place. Instead this group of men bowed to the antics of the most debased, tasteless, lowest common denominator, demeaned themselves, and demonstrated behavior unsuitable for even the most ill-behaved children. It was sad. It was discouraging. It was coarse and uncivilized and represented everything a leader should not be.
Listening to the news made me feel desperate. Surely this can't be. Granted many politicians have behaved in less than becoming ways. But this? This was as inglorious a display as we have ever seen. Surely we are so much better than this.
It was truly disheartening. I stopped at the donut shop and did the only thing I knew to do. I not only bought donuts, I bought the most brightly colored, rainbow sprinkled donuts available. I specified that I wanted the prettiest donuts on the shelf. I watched as the woman behind the counter carefully selected each donut and gingerly placed it in the box. When she picked up one with white frosting and brown chocolate sprinkles I stopped her and asked that she include only the ones with colored sprinkles. I didn't tell her that the world felt very dark and sad and the only thing I could think to do in my moment of despair was to treat my coworkers to something vibrant and celebratory. Not because I celebrated the moronic behavior of the politicians who had so badly degraded themselves and our country, but because it was the only positive thing I could think to do in the moment. I had to do something light to counter their dark, ugly, negative, destructive behavior. Rainbow sprinkles were all I had.
At work I made a little sign that said, "Have a donut. Because you can. 😊" and left it next to the brilliant display of cheerful little donuts. A few people thanked me and, although I make it my policy not to discuss politics with anyone outside of my family or my closest and kindest friends, I did mention that the sprinkles were my response to deep sadness I was feeling while looking at the political horizon.
They all understood.
All of my coworkers; hard working, caring, passionate, kind and decent people, who will never be President of the United States understood why rainbow sprinkles were so important that day.
Nobody chided me. Nobody bullied me. Or made fun of me. Or talked over me. Nobody lied about me or acted like a belligerent, insecure child. Nobody scattered water around and mocked me for sweating. They all had compassion for my despair. And they all said thank you.
Because they are decent human beings.
