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This weekend would be a good time for some soul searching.
It also would be a good time to re-examine our priorities as a free society.
Sure, our nation's not perfect, but there's ample opportunity to try new ways -- peaceful ways respectful of the collection of ideas and opinions -- to improve our lives and effect change for the good, whether it be in our homes or our nation's capital.
In our homes, we referee differences among siblings, participate in debates among people we love and open our minds to trying new things, whether it be a chore chart or a new dish at dinnertime. We look for peaceful ways to resolve our differences, something we continue to do as we adventure out into the community or travel farther.
As Americans, we are free to do that with the expectation of peaceful journeys.
Sometimes our expectations do not follow the predictable pattern. We must keep our eyes open -- as events of Jan. 6, 2021, clearly show.
Our thoughts move ahead to Wednesday's inauguration of Democrat Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States. We have seen and read numerous reports about security for the event, and at state capitals and other places nationwide, because of concern for more violence.
This, just days after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. King advocated change through peaceful demonstration. We wonder what he would think of events today.
Peace must prevail. Yes, protest. Yes, debate our issues, change the system, but do it in a manner that does not threaten our nation.
Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has asked Americans to avoid the capital city and attend inaugural events virtually.
"Let our law enforcement keep peace," she said in making that request on Monday. She is right to be concerned, given the reports from law enforcement following the Jan. 6 siege. This time, though, it appears authorities will be ready with up to 15,000 National Guard troops prepared.
We stand with her and denounce any further efforts to undermine our republic. Yes, the electoral vote was divided -- 306 to 232 -- but the outcome was clear, upheld by the courts and Congress. It's time to accept it, move on and find a path back to each other, despite our differences.
Our differences have made us vulnerable, not just within but to the outside world. It's time for us to examine our words and stand together, not apart.
In the end, the real expectation is what we expect of ourselves.