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Ash –
I had mentioned that I was considering dropping out to one person only as a means of explaining that I would not be able to attend a formal interview request. I had to talk to my doctors before I could make a decision, which wasn’t until a week after your original post.
I filled out questionnaires and raised a little money – however it didn’t help that I didn’t start fundraising until late June, long after the other major candidates started. I wasn’t planning on running a campaign in 2009, I had only briefly considered it previous to Robin Cape announcing she wouldn’t run. After she formally announced that she wouldn’t in early June I came forward on behalf of requests from within the community, knowing that I was at least an informed candidate and I’m honest with my integrity of what I stand for and who supports me. Anyone with any politico sense knows that June is far too late to start a campaign and expect much success.
Regardless, there was no way I could know that I was going to fall into some extreme health issues. I knew a pregnancy was going to complicate and make a campaign difficult, but in truth it made it impossible. This was a foolishness and naivety of youth on my part. I have a previously diagnosed autoimmune disease that has caused me chronic illness throughout most of adolescent and adult life, but with a pregnancy my immune system went completely belly-up. I’ve been sick and bed-ridden more days during these past four months than I have ever previously been in my entire life. After my OBGYN consulted with me about my extreme risk level during the expected H1N1 flu season, it was decided that I needed to do what is unquestionably more important than putting research and progressive idea’s forward. My only goal was to help set not only a vision for the AVL region as the economic and creative hub of WNC, but also help develop a plan as to how to achieve balance and results.
There is a story that comes to mind that I would like to share:
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayo jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jarwas full. They agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."
The professor then poured the entire contents of a glass of water into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.
"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life."
The golf balls are the important things-your faith, family, children, your health, friends, and your favorite passions – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.
The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else-the small stuff.
"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Engage a little longer in your favorite hobby. Take time for deep breaths. There will always be time to clean the house and fix repairs. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.
Jason – I am sure you, the readers, or the people of Asheville will not deny me my golf-balls. As much as I love Asheville, she is but a pebble and the game of politics is just sand.
Yep, well she knew what the rest of Asheville already knew, having fuzzy feelings and being former UNCA class president doesn’t mean much.
You’re annoyed with JBo, aren’t you.
Did she ever do any of the things real candidates do? Raise money? Attend forums? Answer questionnaires? Organize campaign teams? Order bumper stickers, yard signs, etc? Not necessary apparently to run for student council president at UNCA but for city council?
Sounds like your original post was trustworthy with intent and integrity.
As you have said before, this is not an "Official" news source; it is your blog. That does not mean that you should not post things that you have very good reason to believe is true; hell, that is what the justice system is built upon.