Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The Winter of My Discontent

Lately, I have found it nearly impossible to write anything of substance for this blog. Every feeling, thought, idea, word, seems to have been already written, discussed to the max, explored, dissected. I am fighting the time constraints; my work and general living. I find myself pushed to the brink of closing the blog. Yet, the connection with those who graciously comment, and read what little I do post, stops me from succumbing to that temptation. I admit it. I have been in a funk since the election. It has crippled my writing ability. I am in a state of depression over the way the president has chosen to address our emergic issues. I am full of fear for our future, each day growing more and more concerned about the decisions that have been made. It is in each and every post that I read; news, blogs, emails. I don't understand the people with blind faith, the people who are so biased, who have unjustifiable faith in the ONE, who can't see what is happening to us as a country because of his policies. I don't understand their continued admiration and acceptance? Every day I find factual information that should scare the bejeezus out of any normal person. It is pointed out to not only me, but to anyone who wishes to learn, in emails sent to me, by articles posted by respected authors, in pictures taken...things that have been done that just don't seem to be appropriate... the words are whispered, "revolution" - doesn't that scare anyone or is it just me? I am frightened by what that might mean! Am I ready to stand up for what I believe? Are You? Socialism is a dirty word in this country. Yet, for those of us who see it blossoming in our own back yard, are we strong enough to stand up and say NO? There are so many in this country, who voted for this man. This man who brings so much change, so fast, in such a great quantity that there is no time to react, to actually understand those memorandums, (how many pages were in the stimulus bill?) I am afraid of what has happened to us as a country! The American citizens have elected people into political office that have desecrated our constitution, who are trying to put laws into place that rescind our liberties, that will devour our civil rights. I see it every day, in the headlines, the financial reports, and in the lives of my close friends and relatives, all touched in someway by what is happening. The specifics of what I am talking about have already been discussed as I said when I began this post. I could cite many examples of what I am talking about... but you already know these things.... you have already read about them, talked about them. I know this because I read, every day.
I have a very good life. I am healthy, my family is relatively healthy, I work, I have a roof over my head, food to eat. All of this can change in one defining moment... as could your fate, and the fate of those around you. Will you be ready? Have you done all that you can do? What is our responsibility to each other? I feel as if I am an alien in my own land. Practices are being put into place that I do not agree with. Laws are being changed that will affect our future and our children's future. What do you believe in? What are you willing to risk? The real question is how does one survive when all that one believes in is in jeopardy?

8 comments:

  1. Certain aspects of life right now can be depressing, but as you said, you have lots of good things in your life. You don't have to spend lots of time on the blog - we love your photos and your thoughts are always interesting. Do what you can, when you can and we will still be here.

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  2. Look up your redemption draweth nigh.

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  3. Ah, Alison. My modest proposal is to quit paying attention for a while. I'm not saying you should ignore what's going on... just don't immerse yourself in it.

    I can only suggest what's worked for me, as I found myself in much the same place you seem to be in now, immediately following the election and its aftermath. I used to check memeorandum three to five times a day during the political season, now I'm lucky if I check it twice a week. Same thing for Real Clear Politics, and to a lesser extent my blog buds who write almost exclusively about politics. I'll visit them, but I sure don't read as closely or as often. I really think this helps... my attitude has improved remarkably since I quit exposing myself to the constant barrage of bad news/opinion.

    Second: Things are bad, true. But we ARE strong. We have faced and overcome adversity before, we will do so yet again. It ain't as bad now as it was in 1862, 1933, 1941, or even 1977. Keep your perspective... and your chin... up!

    End of lecture. ;-)

    And, what Lou said.

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  4. Ditto what Bag Blog said.

    I think we all will need to hang on for dear life to our faith. That and we best be prepared for the worst.

    Definitely trying times we are seeing.

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  5. Thanks everyone. I am truly grateful for all the good in my life, and for the most part I'm happy. Buck, you nailed it... time to stop immersing myself in the latest negativity. I'll do my best to keep from going under again!

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  6. Alison,

    Sometimes a shift in perspective can be helpful. I am not saying a "head in the sand" thing, but "fighting" from a position of fear and/or being a bit paralyzed by fear (or concern) is counter-productive.

    "Everything" is not bad. Just as the One cannot fix everything, so he cannot destroy everything.

    What will I do, what am I doing? Not reading a lot of the stuff, that is for sure. Sorry, I don't think a lot of it has a basis in reality.

    I think the best I can do for myself, my community, my country is to stay strong to my values - working hard, taking care of myself and my family, helping my neighbor when I can and also enjoying each day whatever it brings.

    There has not been a day in existence when life could not change in one defining moment. We all like to think we have some sort of "security" - whether in job, money in the bank or good health. There is NO security in the things of this world. An accident, a decision(s) out of our control or our own, one doctor's appointment can change everything in an instant. I come back to being paralyzed by fear and concern.

    I believe we live our best lives for ourselves and each other when we live strong and positive. This is a time to be a beacon for good values, hard work, flexibility and inventiveness. I'll risk the label of naivete to say that there will be many good opportunities for those willing to look for them.

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  7. Well said, Ann. You have a remarkably good head on your shoulders.

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  8. Alison- Hang in there... We all are in the same boat, and I'd appreciate the help in bailing it out! Yeah it's easy to get down, but we have to keep on going. If we don't they win! And I REALLY don't want that to happen.

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