Too many titles to pick...

We do not exist alone.  Every part of our being, our character, our outlook is shaped by the people and experiences we’ve encountered and endured.  Moments of weakness, of pain, of strength and of celebration carve and mold our heart and soul taking the canvas of our lives and giving it shape and character.  But, what we do with that, who we become, is up to us.

Last night someone attacked my sister on social media and I lost my mind.  I saw red.  I was literally ready to launch a no holds bar, stop at nothing, return attack on this person.  What she said was based on political belief, but was ultimately a very personal attack aimed to hurt and belittle.  My fingers itched with intent, ready to fire back with as much hatred and vitriol as possible to put her in her place and restore some of my sister’s peace.  But, thankfully I live with a man who is better at seeing the bigger picture - he reminded me the words I often say myself about not engaging with people who are only there to bully and cause pain - and I rethought my intention, my anger, my feelings for this woman and the situation.  I made one statement that was met with challenge, but I took the high road and let her bury herself.  

I have felt so much anxiety and what I can only describe as a heaviness this year...and it is only getting worse as we lead up to November 3rd.  This year has people on edge for so many reasons.  We are being pushed and pulled from every angle, and rather than peace all we are being given is a future that appears to be more polarizing than the reality we already exist in.  This isn’t a political post, but one can’t ignore the backdrop of political discord and a climate that is full of fear and uncertainty.  I don’t know about you, but I’m just plain tired of all of it.  Maybe it’s worse the older I get simply because with age we see more, or maybe it really is worse now than it’s ever been.  Regardless, it’s exhausting and I’m struggling to see an outcome that brings peace.  I wish people could see each other without the labels...take off the “red” and “blue” hats and just be human.  If we could acknowledge that the words used to describe a party aren’t all true, and certainly aren’t true about most of the people who align with whichever party, and try to see that we are all searching for HOPE, looking for something better - whatever that is - and work towards that without all the name calling and awful assumptions that come with a sign, a vote, a belief that only exists because we love this country and the freedom we have to choose.  We seem to have lost sight that we are all Americans, all on the same team, all wanting the best for our country and the people within it.  We need to look at the bigger picture and stop thinking of how we are being mistreated, or how we might lose out on something and realize how very lucky we are.  No, we aren’t all going to agree, and there are going to be things, and people, we disagree with but that doesn’t give us the right to turn on each other and make things we can’t really do much about personal.  

Also, social media shouldn’t be a platform to air all your grievances or pick fights.  On Facebook, our contacts are “Friends”...I don’t know about you, but I would never treat my friends in real life the way I’ve seen people treat others behind the safety of a screen.  Let’s be honest, no one chooses the misfortune in their lives, so let’s work harder to help others rather than add to their burdens.  Treat others as you’d like to be treated...don’t judge until you’ve walked a mile in someone’s shoes...if you don’t have something nice to say - keep your damn mouth shut!

Alright, enough of that.  Let’s find a better way to focus our limited energy...find something to be grateful for today...do one thing that makes a difference...give a compliment...mend a hurt...turn off the news, get outside, pet your dog, squeeze your kid...just foster goodness and set all the junk aside!

Happy Friday, friends!!!!