Oh my, 2023 feels already rich with promise and delight, wouldn’t you agree? The New York Times has set us up with the 7-Day Happiness Challenge, and The Brain Revolution Podcast shared the Harvard Business Review article “Why Purpose–Not Passion– Should Guide Young Professionals.” Between the two I am feeling that January will be an avenue toward brighter days. Sure, those House Republicans are (currently 10 failed Speaker Votes in) trying to undermine the functions of government. But let’s face it, anyone who actually voted for Lauren Boebert or Marjorie Taylor Greene in the first place, so that they could remove the metal detectors from the Capital building before doing their job, is getting exactly what they wanted. Pure and Total Chaos with a capital C. Maybe it’s the high school teacher in me, but their strategy seems like a recipe for disaster propelled by their narcissistic bragging rights first and foremost. I teach thinking skills coupled with empathy for others that these privileged folks clearly skipped over in their education. So, until those paid public politicians actually stop giggling over their antics and get to work, I will continue to shut them out of my daily and instead feel all the love and gratitude from the core of my family and friends who really do care about me and my best interests. Good plan, right? I propose a conservatorship of your own heart.
Category Archives: Life
Light in the Dark
What a week! Without going into too many, or any actual details, suffice to say, this week has been a tough one. Days that start in the dark predawn and end with the same blackness all around, with little time to get outside or feel any sunshine are onerous. Seems like burdens just mount after a string of days like that, doesn’t it? Hard to motivate. Thankfully, I live with a dedicated illuminator, who takes her job seriously, and plots out all the ways to shine brilliant light in the darkest of the dark days.
Vote?
The mid-term elections have come and gone, and even though a few votes are still being counted, most races have been definitively called. If you participated in our democratic process, then cheers to you! If not, I have to ask why? I mean this in all seriousness, because it seems to me a privilege worth engaging in, and so, I am curious why you don’t feel the same. I am of course very pleased to report that 49 percent of eligible voters did in fact recently cast their vote. Big turnouts are the new trend according to FiveThirtyEight. Long lines, curtailed polling hours and sites, endless reasons not to bother, all plague the process, however, nearly half of voters endured what they must to have their voice heard. Still, over half didn’t. Were the obstacles too great? Or was it in reaction to the unresponsiveness of government to your concerns? What halts one’s civic duty? I hope, more will cast an educated vote the next time around. This is truly one of our greatest rights as Americans. Still.


