Ina a letter to the editor last weekend, it was reported that the city stinks.  Or words to that effect.  Two local PROUD Austinites were walking down one of the streets at the Old Pecan Street Festival (http://www.oldpecanstreetfestival.com/) and the stink emanating from a nearby alley was overpowering.  Too much information!

On Monday and Tuesday, the PROUD local newscasts were reporting racial and ethnic graffitti on the Pfluger pedestrian bridge over Lady Bird Lake.  Great…

So, hopefully we all just need to try a little bit harder.  We all need to set an example for everyone around us, and especially all the little ones in our lives.  If we set the example to everyone we meet, that we will not settle for dirty streets and unfriendly neighbors, we can really make a difference.

When you go through the “hard yellow” traffic light (after having to accellerate through the intersection), what message is it you are sending to your passengers, no matter what their ages?  You are saying it is okay and even expected to do that.  It is the same message you send when you drive aggressively or shout opinions to other drivers.  I prefer to do these things only when I am driving alone because, basically if I act that way with friends or family in the car, I embarass myself with my behavior.

Don’t you want others to be PROUD of you?  I do.  It is definitely a learning experience, and sometimes I still find myself shouting my opinions to other folks.  I really am trying to walk-the-walk.

So, next time you are out in public, try to do something nice for someone you have never met.  You never know, it might just make you feel better about yourself!