I came across a young man from Española. I was shopping in a different city and as we started talking, he asked where I was from. When I told him, his face lit up: “I’m from Española, too!”
It’s always nice to meet people with whom you have something in common. Even more impressive were his attentiveness and strong work ethic. Before knowing where I was from, he worked diligently to load the van with heavy equipment — never flinching. Truly a self-starter and forged by the powers of his origin, he made a positive impression. This citizen of the world represented all of the attributes necessary to changing the world for the better.
The question is, how do we replicate examples of positive behavior? It starts by setting high expectations for our kids and championing the moms who demand excellence. When I look back at all of the moms who raise strong and independent children, one common theme emerges — the need to separate from the crowd. And moms get the short end of the stick for making independence a priority. “You think you’re better than us,” they are told. Or worse, their you-know-what doesn’t stink. Sometimes it’s OK to think you’re better than others if it means squeezing more from your kids.
There is an island off the coast of Greece with a motto on its flag that reads: E Tan E Epi Tan. It is an ancient Spartan dictum that mothers would tell their sons leaving for battle. It translates to “With it or on it” and refers to the idea that they shall return home either with their shield or on it, meaning come home alive or die with honor. It was considered disgraceful to leave your shield behind in battle. It was the equivalent of surrendering. So, either come home victorious or die trying. Make mama proud. Very high expectations indeed.
To do right by one’s mother and father or people we respect is to align one’s values with purpose. It provides continuity from one generation to the next. It makes parents want to build stronger cities so their children have a better place to live. It makes children want to work hard to make their parents proud. A strong work ethic of respect, dedication, follow-through and skill propels one to live by Aristotle’s maxim that quality isn’t an act, it is a habit. Sometimes we don’t feel like doing the right thing, but we do it anyway.
My mother would have celebrated her 80th birthday this past Sunday. It has been 10 years since she passed. Living to honor her memory means trying to do all the things that I believe would make her proud. She always said I needed to make things better by improving myself and my relationships.
Humans are, by their nature, social beings. We have relied on each other for mutual cooperation, protection and community. A strong society requires active participation from its inhabitants. Specifically, this city needs you. We can balk and shout from the rooftops (or Facebook gossip pages) about how we dislike what’s happening. But that’s not real participation. Elections for city council and the mayorship are coming up quickly. Who will take the lead? Will it be you? Your citizenry demands it and our future depends on it.
Española produces good, if not great, people. There is evidence of that everywhere I go, as exhibited by hard-working people in other cities and even other states. A strong work ethic and strong core values set us apart. In order to continue that great tradition, you must contribute to its preservation by participating in its government. It is not enough to sit on the sidelines and watch this city fade. Take a stand and grab that baton and get to running. The next leg of this race belongs to you.
Javier Sanchez is an El Rito Media investor and former Española mayor.