Passing Acquaintance
I'm turning over a new leaf. I'd gone
down a bit of a dark hole these past few months. I couldn't see the world around me as holding much that was any good. Everything, like everything, irritated me. I became a glass half-empty person which isn't really my schtick. I guess I became someone I didn't entirely recognize but with whom I had a passing acquaintance.
It really is all about perspective. We see what we want to see or what we are compelled to see or what we are forced to see. Even without that cesspool of crazy-making malevolence that is social media, I still found my viewpoint becoming narrower and narrower until the blinders all but prevented me from seeing anything other than what was presented to me in the news. It wasn't good. It was misery personified.
I know not much has changed outside of me (except for the season which is, yay!) But I have managed to change what is on the inside. How so? Well, for one thing, it's just way too exhausting to be that angry and lost and fearful all the time. Plus, I was having nightmares and my hot flashes resurfaced.
I am more than capable of seeing the world as spectacularly beautiful, intricate, creative, and life-affirming. I like that lens much better than the one that had me convinced no good could come of anything. People around the world have shown their true fear-focussed colours and it aint pretty. It's time, way past time, that we turned this ship around and faced the light-filled rising sun and not the dark shadowy remnants of the setting sun.
At least, that's where I'm headed. We can jump on any bandwagon we like. We can choose to dwell in the shadows or we can choose to embrace the light. Both extremes are within us and neither is beyond our grasp. Perspective - ours for the choosing.
I am not a political animal. In fact, politics and politicking operate in direct contrast to my own sense of fair play, compassion, honesty, and integrity. It seems like doing our best for humanity and the planet is a no-brainer but, obviously, this is not a priority for some. That said, I am grateful that we did not just elect the guy who:
Was open to denying women their right to body autonomy
Asserted that time was up on our country's desire to collectively mourn our Indigenous children
Would have lifted the ban on semi-automatic weapons
Honestly, what?? I can't even describe how ludicrous that last one is. So, so cynical and ugly. Sandyhook, anyone? The campaign slogan seemed to be something about taking Canada back. From what? People who care?
Oops, there I go again. As a writer, it's way too easy to fall into negativity and sarcasm.
Anyroad (a delightful turn of phrase from a British writing colleague of mine), back to my new leaf. I can't promise there won't be any more rants here but I will do my best to bring a little more sunlight to your inbox. Cynicism is cheap and easy and caters only to the basest of human nature. Onward and upward!
