The news of late has been quite challenging. There’s the border crisis, economic concerns, the situation in Gaza, hostages, gangs in Haiti, kidnappings in Nigeria, and the ongoing mystery surrounding Kate Middleton and the British royal family. And for those addicted to the news or anxious about the upcoming November election, it’s a particularly frustrating time.
Yet, these issues are largely beyond our control. While we can voice our opinions to friends and family, potentially influencing a position or winning over a vote, we could also choose to volunteer for causes we believe in. The key is to take positive action rather than merely being a bystander. Just like a barking dog chasing a car, the dog never catches it, and even if it did, what would it do? Instead, we can emulate the civility that used to be more common in society, rather than going on rants on social media.
It would be remiss not to mention the elephant in the room: Donald Trump. As I’ve mentioned before in this column, it seems that no matter what he does or says, his supporters remain steadfast. So, perhaps it’s best to tune him out, treating his actions as part of a clownish show, including his excessive makeup these days. The real question is, what can we do?
It’s an old mantra: Live for the day. Enjoy the moments you have with friends and family, participate in outings with coworkers, or spend time streaming a show or movie. Whether it’s a first date or spending time with the person you expect to spend the rest of your life with, finding happiness in these moments can be far more rewarding than being consumed by external events.
I share your concerns, especially regarding that elephant in the room. But in the end, it comes down to a simple choice: Do you want to vote for a good, comfortable, loving grandpa or a nasty, mean one? Most people would choose the former. When that happens, perhaps the nightmare our nation has experienced since 2016 will begin to revert back to a more civil society.
Until then, I find comfort in spending as much quality time as I can with my husband and our puppy, Zola. Each night, we stream something, knowing that whatever happens with those external issues, inside our home is a warm, loving environment that we can control.