Too much, really. Too much hatred. Too much violence. Too much negativity. Too much despair.
My time, my energy, my space, and my sanity are too precious to be consumed by the vitriol spewed forth in the name of ‘News’ or ‘Entertainment’ these days.
Enough.
It’s EVERYWHERE! My morning news channel no longer includes friendly banter and “feel good” stories to start my day with helpful hints and hopeful insights. Instead, it’s full of bloodshed, carnage, savagery, and a misery so palpable, my eyes squint in an effort to block out the words and images.
Previously a refuge from this insanity, my FB page has been taken over by scrolling “breaking news,” advertisements and spam; visuals that, though bypassed quickly, infiltrate my subconscious and further wage war on my emotional harmony. A purge of the sites (and people) I have previously “liked” or “friended” is certainly in order, but I can’t un-see. I can’t un-feel. My heart can’t un-break.
I’m not looking for my world to be filled with only those events, people, and ideas which are either eternally positive or completely coincide and support my own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Rather, I am compelled to choose a path where respect, honesty, dignity, and human valuation reside. A place where humility and empathy are the guiding principles. A world which celebrates the human spirit and our ability as a community (big or small) to recognize and encourage greatness in one other.
Enough.
I rarely, if ever, take a political stand. In fact, I would consider myself ‘apolitical’ most of the time. I don’t like confrontation, and politics is one of the most polarizing topics of discussion. It’s not sufficient to have an opinion, you must be on one side or the other and see no room for compromise. This election is bringing out the absolute worst in people; some of whom I have spent years admiring for their insight and ability to bring people together in thoughtful and purposeful ways. There is fighting between friends and family; wedges being wrought despite bloodlines and history. And it’s all playing out on a very public stage for the whole world to see. What a tragic display!
Seemingly, the only thing everyone can agree on, is that this is a battle between bad and worse; but the reality is, there is NO good choice. By continuing to propagate the agendas of one side or the other, we are only aligning ourselves with the worst of the worst. And in doing so, we proliferate the perception that the greatest nation in the world is irretrievably divided, astonishingly ignorant, and exceptionally arrogant.
Enough.
My husband has taken to saying, “Just No,” when faced with an idea or comment so absurd he can barely wrap his mind around it. Today, I find myself saying the same thing, sometimes out-loud, but often just to myself, with or without a visible shaking of my head.
Election 2016. Just No.
Rising violence against the innocents. Just No.
400% increase in heroine use since 2012. Just No.
Over 12 million victims of human trafficking world-wide. Just No.
An entire generation of young adults incapable of real human interaction. Just No.
Family members and friends facing life-threatening diseases. Just No.
Neighbors struggling to put food on the table. Just No.
Loved ones lost. Just No.
Just No.
Just No.
Just No.
Enough.
Ignorance is not the answer. And I’m not suggesting we all hold hands while burying our heads in the sand and hum kum ba yah. But is it so ridiculous to believe we can come together as a society and talk…actually speak and LISTEN to one another? What would happen if this mentality became the bench mark instead of the contrarianism that rules today? How different would the world be if we each took responsibility for ourselves and our actions instead of blaming others? If we put our own agendas aside and lived AMONGST each other, instead of in fear of one another…what would that planet look like?
Every fire begins with a spark. Every journey begins with a step. Every revolution begins with a singular act. Speak the truth. Be the inspiration. Live the change. When we choose the servant’s path, laying ourselves bare and vulnerable, collectively, we find enough. Enough knowledge. Enough momentum. Enough positivity. Enough strength. Enough determination. Enough love.
Enough.