Mystic Traveler Productions: LaGuardia takes New York by Storm

Will we do the same in the corner of our world?

Several years ago, the spirit of Fiorella LaGuardia burst alive at an off-Broadway theater, in upper Manhattan, in the personage of actor Tony Lo Bianco.

This play, "The Little Flower," was not only a lesson in history, but a definite reminder that those who wage battles against the odds and succeed are not only to be remembered for their accomplishments, but are to be emulated. LaGuardia knew he wanted to serve in spite of personal tragedy and many other challenges. He lived by the words ‘patience and fortitude’ to keep going and he learned, as did Abraham Lincoln, that it was imperative to study and learn in preparation for what he hoped to accomplish. That preparation is the first step to actually getting there.

LaGuardia knew it was not enough to just desire, he had to do everything possible to reach the people he wanted to serve even if it meant learning eight languages. So, when it was time to run for office, he was able to communicate with the people in the districts he was running in.

First time out he lost; second time out he won and this at a time when Tammany Hall was running New York with more power and influence than anyone could buckle. Over the years, the 5’2” LaGuardia became a force to be reckoned with and, with a voice loud and clear, he earned himself title of mayor of New York City. Determination guided him as he said “when you are fed up, sign up.” Only certain things were allowed under his rule, everything else had to go. He didn’t concern himself about people knowing him, he compelled them to know him.

By Fred Palumbo, World Telegram staff photographer -
Library of Congress. New York World-Public Domain,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1265905

LaGuardia, as many before him, knew that history repeated itself. Looking back, we’ve had good leaders and their attempts to make this a better world. Sometimes they succeeded, sometimes they were destroyed – literally and figuratively. Likewise, we have suffered bad leaders and the destruction wrought by their rule. In all cases, though, there were always lessons left behind for us to learn from.

So now, will we grab hold of the torch as it is passed to us or will be let someone else do it? Will we seize the opportunities and open doors as they are presented to us to assist a waiting world ready to accept what we have to offer? Will we be aware enough so that when we do hear that knock on the door, with ‘patience and fortitude,’ we will march forward to the beat of the drum that we are drumming ourselves?