Guest Opinion: Sometimes we have to step back to see clearly

By Jimmy Boheler

Last night, I attended the Kings Mountain City Council meeting, and the chambers were packed — standing room only. That sight alone reminded me that people truly care about what happens in our community. Neighbors, friends, and local business owners filled the room because they want to be heard, and because decisions made in those chambers affect us all.

The meeting began as usual, but things became more interesting when we reached the public hearing section — specifically Item 8A, which dealt with a contract between a group of business owners and the town. This same group has been contracted with Kings Mountain for three years, yet there haven’t been many visible results from their work.

What was accomplished last night, in my view, is that this group is now more in the spotlight. Questions are being asked. Concerns are being raised. And maybe, just maybe, more things will begin to come to light. That alone makes the meeting worth the time — because sunlight is the best accountability.

Still, even as these issues come forward, I walked away with a personal reminder: when things don’t make sense, we still have a choice every single day.

We can’t always control decisions made in city government, but we can control ourselves. We can choose to get up, show up, and be better than we were yesterday. We can choose to speak, even when it feels uncomfortable. And we can choose to keep believing in ourselves and in the value of our voice.

Sometimes it takes stepping back — looking at things from a 30,000 foot view — to see clearly.

Not every battle is worth fighting, and not every room will appreciate your presence. But when you do speak, speak with courage. Speak with honesty. Speak from your heart.

In life, as in our community, sometimes we have to slow down to speed up. We have to remember that true progress takes time. And in the long run, we should always go where we are appreciated, not just tolerated.

Kings Mountain is stronger when people show up. Stronger when we listen. Stronger when we rise above the noise and remember that we can all be a little better today than we were yesterday.

That’s the choice in front of us. Let’s not waste it.

Boheler

Jimmy Boheler is life-long resident of Kings Mountain and small business owner.

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