If you read regular articles in newspapers and magazines you will be inundated with information about how much money is lost every year to business. There is a list, stress, alcohol, drugs, mismanagement, union issues and many more. If figures are to be believed billions are lost every year because of these issues. It is a wonder we make any money in business at all.

So what is at core of these issues? It is extremely simple it is something which has been with mankind since we first walked upon this earth. At centre of all these issues is ‘Blame Factor'.

Throughout history whether we were going to war, enslaving peoples or burning witches at stake, it has been all to fulfil our base instinct to blame someone or something. Blaming others stops us having to look at our own shortcomings in life.

Are we evolving into a more civilised society as we move into twenty first century, we are not. The powerful use of media and advanced communication mean we are able to point finger more readily and more often. Whether it be governments, businesses, health services, judiciary, our neighbours and a thousand more organisations and individuals, we can blame someone else. It is even becoming basis of our television shows.

Does it matter?

Yes it does matter. When we blame, we sabotage our lives and that or our neighbours. We damage infrastructure of our society and believe ourselves to be disempowered.

When we take responsibility for our lives and issues and problems we face, then we can do something about changing things and travel towards personal and organisational empowerment.

I happen to be an elected member of Nippersink Library District board of trustees. The reason I am there is that I've always loved my local library; I've always found it to be a warm place (or cool in summer) where I can pick up local newspaper and read it - relatively undisturbed. Or I can peruse latest novels. I can also borrow DVD's and audio books to keep me company when I'm in my car. And I felt that I needed to become involved in my community. I'm always amazed at number of different things you can do at library. So I ran for office and won (unopposed, I should add).

I have also attended village and school board meetings. But that was always when I had a burning opinion to relay to boards. For instance, in 1999 village of Richmond was scheduled to vote on whether a parcel of land next to my property should be annexed and rezoned. I was against it. So were a whole bunch of other citizens in Richmond who attended that meeting. The village board passed annexation over our objections, or, it seemed to me, to spite our objections.`

I had similar experiences with our school boards. No matter how many people showed up for a particular meeting, we always felt that school board trustees turned a deaf ear on our appeals. Or as grade school superintendent said, "We agree to disagree!" Well, hot damn!