Serenity Now!

Screaming it did the trick for Frank Costanza. Not a good strategy for you, though? It does seem to be getting more sucky by the day out there. Unrelenting bad news got you down? What’s really going to make a difference?

Well, on a more serious note, I believe we can take comfort in knowing that, along with the crescendo of chaos in recent times, there have always been those who have been gunning for good. In a big way, it’s easy to lose sight of that fact. Especially with overwhelmingly bad news on a daily basis.

For me personally, what woke me up? It was the sad news of John Lewis’ passing. He’s often described as a lion of the civil rights movement. Newscasters have retold stories of all his personal challenges growing up in the Jim Crow South. We’ve heard, too, of the enormous challenges and personal risks he willingly took on to make a difference. In fact, he went out of his way to make some ‘good trouble’. And got awesome results.

In time, his and others’ efforts spawned many other civil rights movements including our own. A movement that has brought much positive change to the LGBTQ+ community. Yes, there are more battles to be won but we can all take solace in remembering how far we’ve come.

For the last several months we have been dealing with so much turmoil in one form or another. In this country and elsewhere. Many have been vigilant in dodging the invisible bullets that is the virus. I suggest a similar vigilance in looking for all the good that surrounds us. Stay with it for more than a moment. Be with it. Breathe it in. Wallow awhile to wash it away. It is indeed a restorative for these troubling times.

In addition, actively seek out ways where you personally can make a difference in your own world. Even in small ways. Extend yourself. Call a friend. Zoom a family member. Join a social justice group. Like that. At a time when circumstances seem to dwarf and minimize anything we feel would make a difference, do it anyway. Our efforts do make a difference. They give us a sense of power and control over our own domain and impart their own sense of well being and peace . A rare commodity so it appears today.

Hang tight, keep the faith and Godspeed to us all.