Saturday, September 17, 2016

Making Joy :: Two Hundred Sixty Two

Here it is... I am sad.

News, comments, events, politics, crisis, the big, wide world... Lately, I've let too much seep into my head, my emotions. It's not that I ever intend to escape reality, or close the door on responsibility, information, facts, truths. It's only that too much of the aforementioned and I am incapacitated, stunned into inaction. And even deeply hurt. Frankly, I cannot fathom the level of outright hate and acrimony that is spewed on the Internet. The incitement of violence, the name calling, accusations, even belittling common friends over differences of opinion... it confounds me. I think I am naive, yet not ignorant, hopeful, but not sanguine, sympathetic, not pitying. I've been accused, often enough, of being too sensitive. That may be true. Nonetheless, I will guard my hope, strive to keep my guileless nature intact, and endeavor to remain an informed, and sensitive person, because I feel awful otherwise. So I must impose a fast, preserve my head and heart... and for a time, tune out the news, the "issues" of the moment in social media, and instead turn to home, gardens, nature, stars, and moon, cats, chickens, and art, loving family, close friends, folding laundry, picking tomatoes, making things, holding hands, breathing. Gratitude, laughter, good will, kindness, compassion... I want to foster these, for well-being's sake, for the benefit of all, for joy.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

4 comments:

GretchenJoanna said...

It does seem to me that it's unnatural for us to be informed about such a large amount of bad news on a daily basis, 24/7 even. We have a responsibility to be kind, hardworking, etc. in our small world, and being barraged by stuff we are powerless to fix can distract us and disable us, as you say, from our sphere of influence. Keep folding the laundry and looking at the stars!

Adaliza said...

I avoid watching TV news. On my radio (which plays soothing classical music all day), the hourly bulletins convey the essentials but without any of the frenzied media reporting and brutal images. News filters through into my patchwork world but my efforts are concentrated on family and friends, collie dogs and Flora Puddleduck. It's a simple life.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Yes... unnatural. I need to remind myself to keep a healthy perspective and steer clear of 'too much coverage!' How do you keep yourself balanced?

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

We don't have traditional Television service any more, and I am sure that helps. I need to stay clear of computer news, the Internet, and especially people's comments! Mercy, there are some ugly trolls out there, vocal ones, too! Your simple life produces peace, and art, and those send out goodness that I believe is infectious, healthy, worthwhile. Family, friends, pets, and making our crafts and art... if everyone focused on these, I know the world would breath a sigh of happy relief.