Politics, Moonlight, & Resolutions

This week, I’m thinking a lot about…

Washington. As in DC, where Congress resumed session along with all of the new representatives and senators. As we all watch what this new Congress will do, I discovered Countable. It’s an awesome app that tracks all of the actions of Congress, including your own congresspeople. We all need to stay on top of everything in Congress over the next four years and this is a pretty solid way of staying in the know.

Moonlight. I know I’m late to the game, but this movie was incredible. It’s honest, raw, and powerful. When it ended, the entire theater sat in silence. If you haven’t seen it yet, go right now.

Israel. The Jewish community, and the wider world, is still reeling from the Obama administration’s decision to abstain from a UN Security Council resolution. And while it’s an important conversation, it’s a continuance of the extreme partisanship of Israel, where only Republicans or conservatives can truly be “pro-Israel”. Truly a ridiculous claim and you can read more about my thoughts on my personal relationship with Israel on the ARZA Blog.

1776. This book by David McCullough has been on my shelf for quite a while and it’s a doozy. Essentially, I’m diving deep into 300 pages of the history of the founding of the United States during 1775–1776. It’s pretty dense, but if you’re an American history nerd and fascinated by the likes of George Washington, it’s a must read.

Resolutions. It’s a popular idea for people to make “New Years Resolutions” and improve on something in a new calendar year. And I am a big believer in taking advantage of new beginnings. However, I’ve strayed from the traditional resolutions format of goals and have chosen two concepts or words that will guide my decision making for each year. For 2017, my mission words are: Impact & Relationships. I’m excited to spend more of my time connecting with the people most important in my life and to dedicate myself toward positively impacting my communities and world.

P.S. This was one of my favorite pictures of 2016. Happy New Year!