I live in a small town in Colorado, on the outskirts of Denver. This week, the town installed new canopy lights on one block of our old downtown district. They're pretty lights. "But why?" Well, the town is trying to create the warmth and ambiance of Larimer Square, a trendy shopping district in Denver. Our town is hoping to increase evening visitors.
When I first read about the project, I laughed a cynical laugh, shaking my head, because there is only one business on that block that is open after 5pm. And it's a dive bar. I thought, "Why expend so much effort to increase traffic at one dive bar."
But then I thought about this writing project, this blog. I thought about looking only to the good qualities of men.
I stopped judging and started observing.
And here's what I saw: A key group of citizen leaders, The Castle Rock Downtown Development Authority, has been pondering - for awhile, now - how they might attract more shoppers and diners not to the dive bar, but to all businesses in Castle Rock during the evening hours. They have carefully considered a variety of methods, and this one seemed to be worth trying. Hmmmm ... citizen leaders spending valuable time thinking of ways to improve our local economy. Yeah, I like that.
So here's to citizens that care enough to try seemingly silly ideas with an admirable confidence and a hopeful spirit. And here's to acknowledging 'negative thoughts' and remembering that in a certain light, the good qualities of men shine through.
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