Excuse me, are you listening? 16-6

Dear Readers,

 
     Short and sweet today.  I am fighting off another cold.  
 
    Herbert Bayard Swope once said, “I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure – which is: Try to please everybody.” 
 
   I thought that is a perfect quotation that all of us could use in our daily lives in an attempt to clarify that everyone’s opinion does not count when it comes to you.  
 
    I really think that no matter what level you are at that you will always have people who will try to be better, look better, have better children and so on.  In my opinion, people should just let people be what they are.  Deal with them in your own space.
 
    Sometimes it is difficult to admit you are being taken advantage of but it is best to recognize it and let that person go no matter how much it may hurt you.  Surround yourself with good people.  Don’t compromise internal happiness for people who want to use you.  When you no longer want to be in their presence regardless of how much they may want to be in yours, think carefully about whether it is healthy for you.
 
   Some sexual advances may seem innocent.  However, if the person is uncomfortable or declines to indulge do not continue to push.  It could be a teacher and a student, which is so unethical.  I find that the sexual abuse charges at Michigan State University and Penn State University will have negative ramifications for years to come.  If you know that something inappropriate is happening, please be responsible.
 
   People in the wrong sometimes have tricked themselves into thinking they are right.
 
  For example, I had a woman come to me with wrongdoing during her son’s arrest and incarceration.  The incident happened several years prior to her coming to me but she still wanted to seek justice for what allegedly happened.
 
  I looked over some of the paperwork and sighed.  There were several boxes. I am not an investigative reporter.  I also explained to her that she needed to see a lawyer and not me.  At the time my two youngest children were babies and the oldest 10.
 
I could not put myself in a position to spend a long time researching a case just to find out that what her son was being accused of was true or if it were not true she would have to get a lawyer anyway.  I am a firm believer that if you cannot do something you should tell people.  I cannot believe how people get involved with putting to much pressure on themselves to please someone else.
 
   Anyway to make on long story short, I had an opportunity to run into the woman again and she was angry and attacked me verbally for not being able to do a story. 
 
Everyone has a story to tell.   There are stories that I do not have the capacity to do.   I will continue to do stories on people who are doing positive things in the community.  Investigations are not in the budget right now. 
 
I am aware that you cannot please everyone and you should not even try.  
 
Love people,
Rina Risper   
 
P.S.  The National Crime Victim’s Rights Week dinner is on Monday, April 10 from 6 PM – 8:30 PM at 124 W. Michigan Ave, Lansing, MI. 
Dinner and remarks at 6:00 pm.
City Council at 7:00 pm.
 
For family and friends of murder and crime victims. This event is free. Please RSVP at 517.372.8466.    
 
Printed in the April 2 – April 15, 2017 edition