Reacting to the New Year
Yesterday in this time I noted that the new year 2022 is going to be a lot like the old year 2021…which was in most ways a lot like the year before that. There’s so much that we can’t change—pattern of a global pandemic comes to mind. But I said while we can’t control those things, we can control our reactions to them, and that’s the topic for today.
Resolve in the new year to be engaged. It’s easy to get fed up with it all and mentally check out. But that’s what those who crave power hope will happen…that smart voters will leave the process to make it easier for them to manipulate those who remain, and that they can control.
By being engaged, I don’t mean you should go storm some building or engage in violence of any sort. I mean to plug in, learn about issues from a variety of sources, and maintain contact with elected officials to directly and respectfully tell them what you think about pending issues. This is no time for people to remain silent. As the saying goes, information is power…and you need to maximize the level of information you get as you rationally decide issues.
But there’s also a balance you need to strike. You may have a favorite food, but you would never think of eating it for every meal…you’d get sick. Same with contemporary current events. You have to plug in to know what’s going on…but at the same time, not be consumed by it.
Finally in this short time, I’d suggest you can control a lot by not deliberating upsetting yourself. By that I mean stop following people on social media who you know will upset you no matter what they post, and definitely stop posting snarky replies. You do need to know what the so-called “other side” says and thinks, but why overexpose yourself to things that you know are going to push your buttons?
This new year 2022 is going to be full of conflict, argument, fear, and yes, even illness. But we know that, so control your reaction by proactively preparing for it and strive for balance. I know, easier said than done…boy, don’t I know. But it’s a clean slate on the calendar tomorrow. No better time to try.
