Say Yes to Michigan!
Michigan’s had a rough go of it lately - to say the least. The economy is suffering from a confluence of events that all stem from broader issues such as the US economy and gas prices which have deeply affected the auto industry. We are a state in a state of flux. Many have left the state due to necessity, and some have left simply to seek out greener pastures, but for those of us who remain, Michigan is the home that we love.
And what’s not to love? Surrounded by the largest bodies of fresh water in the world, Michigan is unique. In a world where water has become a scarce commodity, and rationing normal, we Michiganders literally have water everywhere we look. Having lived here almost my entire life, I know that I sometimes take this for granted. That is until I travel outside the state and find that being surrounded by water is not necessarily the norm.
Michigan is simply beautiful. On a recent weekend trip up north I was once again awed by the lush green scenery, the rolling hills, the quaint small towns and the beautiful lake views around every bend.
But what I love most about Michigan are the people. We are nice people, authentic, with little pretense and an open mind to new ideas. And yet this non-pretentious mid-western state has spawned some unique and brilliant people. We all know Madonna, Eminem, Michael Moore, Jeff Daniels and Stevie Wonder are from Michigan, but did you know the co-founder of Google, Larry Page, is also from Michigan, what about Francis Ford Coppola or Robin Williams?
I think there is something to be said for hard times. Times when things just don’t go the way we envision. Many have to scale back on what they buy, but learn to appreciate what they already have. And it costs nothing to spend time with the friends and family you love, or to take a walk in nature. We have so much to be thankful for here in this beautiful state of ours.
As the old saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. So who will we reinvent ourselves to be? Will we be the home of green energy, create the automobiles of the 21st century, or have a bustling film industry? I say yes, why not, it’s time to explore all of our potential - individually and as a state. I already like who we are, and I can’t wait to see who we become.
Jeffrey Mindell is writer, poet, cartoonist and attorney, but not necessarily in that order. He can be reached at jmindell@gmail.com