My mantra for the coming year seems to be: "I will not stand idly by."

I think it originates in the Bible from Leviticus, I'm no expert in that department.

For me it means that I will stay aware of my own life, my own home, my own "village," my own country and my own planet. I will not stay quiet when injustices are happening. I will speak up and take action.

So, I have pretty good friend who just shared on the Facebook, that he loves to stop and eat at Chick-Fil-A when he travels.

I tell him that they are anti-gay, they contribute to causes that diminish the human rights of LGBTQ people.

He says it reminds him of his wife who passed away many years ago (they went there together) and his mother likes their clean bathrooms.

I say keep your memories, but, now more than ever, actions matter. Change your behavior.

I haven't heard from him.

I know the problems of three little people don't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world (see Casablanca), yet, I also know that every action no matter how small effects the world. Every. Action.

How do you reconcile the people you care about behaving in ways that you find despicable?

Do you let them go? Or do you pretend?

I worry about how many "friends" I will lose by being more aware of what is actually going on around me. And not keeping my mouth closed anymore.

Welcome to 2017, higher consciousness is my plan.

“An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox.” ~ Lao Tzu