A grown up tea party

David Brooks reports a number of interesting factoids in his column in today’s New York Times. He cites sources for a lack of confidence in American society. He talks of a mistrust of institutions, a lack of faith in government, anxiety over the future of our children and even (gasp) a weakening in public opinion for Obama. And while Brooks goes on to talk about what this means politically, I think it takes us to a different place. Brooks talks of a new political movement (the Tea party folks), and the emergence of potential leaders in that movement. I think the need is more for us to look within ourselves.

Hope and trust in institutions, faith in government, the search for a new leader we can all follow; these are all false hopes. It is only when we realize that we alone are the answer to our problems that we can move forward together. It is only when we each accept responsibility for our own destiny, and do it in a way that respects our fellow human, our earth and our souls; that we will be able to find a way forward.

I view the world as an entrepreneur. And I believe that the core of entrepreneurship is not the search for huge wealth, nor the desire for fame. And the heart of the entrepreneur is not one of greed, or ego, or even attention deficit disorder. What makes an entrepreneur – what truly makes a human – is the ability to accept that actions have risks and consequences, and know that you personally are responsible for those consequences – good, bad or indifferent.

Children have tea parties. They make believe. And they look to others to lead and guide them.

Adults know that they must act, and be responsible for those actions.