I have had many discussions over the years about Danville and what can we do to make it a better place to live, work & grow. Maybe it’s the election season with candidates talking about all the positive changes they would make going forward, but it seems that the discussions have been more frequent here of late. We could debate about the importance of low taxes, the best way to increase business growth, and providing public services. However, I think those items are down the road for discussion points. It has to start with an attitude.
The attitude that I’m talking about is an attitude of wanting to be a better community. Do we project that attitude when we complain about what Danville doesn’t have or do we promote that attitude by being grateful for what we do have? Being thankful is a mindset. You can constantly look for what you don’t have; a nice car, bigger house, 6-pack abs, or you can look at what you do have; a good family, your health, a steady paycheck. This week, I had the opportunity to promote Danville in my own way and I hope (and believe) that it will pay off in the future.
The first time was while I was picking up dinner for the family at Buffalo Wild Wings. It was last Saturday after the Ohio State & Illinois game. A couple came in and sat down next to me at the bar while I was waiting for my carry-out order. I asked them about the game, they said there are from Ohio and decided late to come over for it. They said the hotels were booked up there so they decided to stay in Danville. As my food came out, I told them thanks for staying here and I hope next time they come over for the game they stay here in Danville because we would love to have them back.
The second time was when I went out to dinner with a friend at the Nugget. It was my friends first trip to the Nugget and he was taking a picture of the place as we went in. As we were going in, a couple was coming out. I made the comment, “It’s his first time here.” The couple replied that it was their first time too. I asked where they were from and they said Wisconsin. They were on their was to see her father in Indiana and stopped here for a bite. I said, “Well, thanks for stopping in Danville, we appreciate it and hope that on your way back you stop by again.” Will they? I don’t know. I would like to think that if they got to Crawforsville and started to get hungry they would drive to Danville because those people are so nice.
I have always said that the best resource in Danville is it’s residents. When something needs to get done, it does. When we need to community to come out and support a cause or our football team, they do. What if we carried that attitude around with us all the time? What if every day we made it our mission to do one thing, just one thing, to better Danville, what kind of difference would it make? It would be huge. It takes so little effort, but the payoff is so great. Give it a try, you may just find it not only betters your community, YOU will feel better also.
Thank you to Father Nelson for the inspiration behind this post. Great homily today, Father!