I’ve had several people ask me lately if I’ve sworn off politics and I have to admit that I simply don’t have the stomach for writing about them much these days. I’m still very happy to have Obama in the White House, I’m very happy to see fewer Republicans in the Congress, but I’m tired of the constant media attention dissecting every single word, action, non-action. I’m tired of the Republican's constant whine, wail and bitch about everything and a large number of the Democrats are just as bad. There is so much anger and sorrow and suffering, so much hunger and sickness in the world today, but I see very few of those who actually have the power to make changes doing anything more than squabbling over their own territory.
There are wonderful people who try so patiently to ease the suffering, the hunger in the world and I’m uplifted when I read blogs like Maithri’s The Soaring Impulse. And there are others out there that do all they can to make a difference, but there will never be enough. In the meantime my own country is stumbling along on the edge of another Depression and the people who could make a difference are too immersed in their own agenda to see or care about what is happening to so many people right here in the “good old US of A”!
So, at least for now I’m trying to focus on the beauty of nature, on love and caring and generosity, on the words of men like Gilbran and Tagore; as I work to lift myself out of the gutter of despair that I see/hear every day. I don’t want to sink into that space, there is more to life than that. You may have to work harder to find it, but it’s there.
So, at least for now or until I can find a constructive way to make a difference, I’ll focus on the beautiful things, the humor, the love that are always available – even if you do have to look a little harder for them.
Sylvia's world in thoughts and pictures
I miss you Sam!!
I miss you Sam!!
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What Can I Say?
I'm interested in almost everything. Use to like to travel, but it's too expensive now. I take Tai Chi classes, swim, volunteer in a Jump-start program for pre-schoolers. I'm an avid reader and like nearly everyone these days I follow politics avidly. I'm a former teacher and Special Projects Coordinator for a Telecommunications company, Assistant to the President of a Japanese silicon wafer manufacturing company. Am now enjoying retirement -- most of the time. I have two daughters, one son-in-law and two sons scattered all over the country. No grandchildren.
20 comments:
Very good, Sylvia. I'm feeling the same way!
I am glad you made this decision...I like your blog posts MORE without the politics discussion.
I love nature observations,and it is more nurturing to the soul anyway!!
The Retirement Chronicles
Hi Sylvia, I didn't know you in your political writing time but I can not agree with you more now.
It is so easy to get dragged down, if you watch tv or listen to the radio...we are doomed. I think it is part of the reason I am having so much doing history research because when we look at what our ancestors went through we should be ashamed of ourselves.
I so enjoy your posts and getting reaquainted with Kahil Gibran and introduced to Tagore. Thank you for sharing and your thoughts
AMEN, Sylvia! We all have personal sorrows. Why add to them? I love your blog and check back here several times a day.
You're right, I worried a lot whern >Sarkozy was elected as french President and I'm still unhappy and ashamed. Anyway, nature gives so good reasons to enjoy..
Hi Sylvia,
Like you, I look at the petty issues of majoring in the minors that go on while critical problems begged for a resolution.
It can be emotionally and physically overwhelming but we must remember that even silly things happen in a free and democratic society.
I am inspired and encouraged by you whenever I visit this blog. You have an energy that invigorates and exudes a most positive vibe.
I'm sending you a virtual hug all the way from Virginia today as a way of saying, "I appreciate you"
U
I agree...let's look for the positives and the basics in life-love, family, learning, leaving a legacy
Beautiful post! It's like spoken from my heart. I guess, we all deal with almost similar issues wherever we live. It is good to see the positive for finding more peace and harmony in this sometimes too cold world. Best wishes :).
It's the same here! The opposition does nothing but winge and block things and nothing gets done. Maybe democracy doesn't work!
I feel much the same way, Sylvia. I do like Mr. Obama, with the exception of his choice re financial matters. But there are so many items, each one the "most important" that he hasn't got to yet. And the media does concentrate solely on the silly, inconsequential things. It's so frustrating.
I'm concentrating on Nov. and the Blogblast for Peace right now.
I'm of the opinion that focusing on humor, love and beauty are every bit as important as activism and should never be under-estimated. You bring so much of these into the world of your readers, and you are a true blessing to know!
What we have before us is a lose lose proposition. If we do pay attention to what our elected officials are doing we get depressed and if we don't who will remind them about what they should be doing?
I too have noticed that you haven't been writing about politics lately Sylvia.
There are obvious benefits working from the top down, but by the time it trickles down to us, we don't really feel included in the process. At least, that's what I sense for my self.
What I see as a healthier alternative, is for us to get engaged in our local communities, and not fighting for whats right, but just doing the things we love, and sharing it with others so that they too can feel empowered and uplifted. We can listen to our neighbors and help them sort out their dreams and help them to come true. If our dreams are kept at bay from us, we are constantly grasping and are unhappy with our state of being.
As for national politics, I sense we are never told the truth and things are just conveyed to make us flinch and jump to someone else's point of view or even outright lies.
I challenge all of you to start living your dream and to start being honest with your selves and to start loving your selves, which will lead to others loving you for your gentle authentic selves too.
If we want change in the world, then we need to start with ourselves, and then we can reach out to others to bring them to their feet again.
Bernie, thank you so much for your wise words! And you're right! I can't change things in DC or even at a local level, but I can and have been living my life to the fullest and trying to share the beauty, the wonder of this world with others. Blogging has given me the opportunity to reach so many people I would never have known. To share with them the beauty, the joy, the love that no amount of government -- good or bad can rob us of.
Sylvia;
I'm feeling much the same way too. By the time that theelection was over, I was over the constant cr-p said by both parties.
I am so sick of hearing about another big head of a company getting millions to go home after getting all of us to bail out their former company.
Taxes keep going up to pay for all the mess....I guess I just want to scream, so I will!
Sorry, you didn't want to talk about it annd I just did!
It's not that its wrong to participate and fight for what we believe, it just comes with a great price and sacrifice of one's personal energy. Some people are meant to partake in politics in this lifetime, because they are passionate about it. And that is good.
But for those people who feel betrayed or helpless or abandoned, its time to cut the line and begin believing in our selves and in the good people that will be there for us. If we attach our selves to negativity, then we will see and experience a life of negativity. If we start seeing our selves and our world as beautiful and with bountiful unlimited potential, then the quality of all our lives will exponentially increase.
Good for you Sylvia. I know what you are talking about. The news is so depressing these days I hate to turn it on! I hope you have a wonderful Easter.
Good approach. I'm with you ... :)
I understand what you are saying, Sylvia, and I agree that we must constantly be on guard against negativism and continue to find the beauty that is out there.
I do, however, think that it is incumbent upon us to be ever vigilant and we can't rest on our laurels. I am sure that when you feel you can make a change you will be out there leading the way.
Your posts that show the beauty of the northwest and the words of Gilbran and Tagore are uplifting and inspiring! I have long thought that campaigning should be outlawed until September before the election.
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