• Anger

    The email subject line read: Are you ready for the 2020 election?

    December 11, 2018 / 1 Comment

    My first thought was quite laden with profanity. I’d print it here, but I’m sure your imagination can fill in the gaps. Let’s just say I became a giant squid of anger.

    The frustration and fury I felt was quickly followed by some rather uncharitable thoughts that involved lashing the sender 40 times with a wet noodle until a promise was exacted to never write those words again.

    And then I remembered… It’s Christmastime, Walker. Ho ho ho, merry merry and all those silver bells ringing. I recalled my conscious decision to be more charitable during this season of joy and my plan to continue a practice of kindness into the new year.

    Fine.

    So, after taking a large gulp of hot tea and a few cleansing breaths, I calmly deleted the email without responding.

    This year has been politically dreadful. Actually, the political arena in America has been abominable since, oh, 2015. After all the death threats and rape threats and bomb threats, the political sign pollution, the endless ads, the doxxing, the interminable debates, the vicious tweets and the mountains of lies, I was well and truly ready to put all thoughts of elections firmly in the past and just enjoy the rest of the year.

    Due to my job, this is an impossible task. But for the sake of my health — nay, for the sake of my sanity — I have decided to do everything I can to avoid focusing too much on the past election cycle or dwelling on the next one. Particularly since it’s two FREAKIN’ YEARS AWAY, DAMN IT.

    Sorry.

    Sorry.

    Reminder to self: Love. Kindness. Goodwill toward all.

    Deep breaths.

  • Full Moon

    5 confessions of a jaded mind

    October 25, 2015 / No Comments

    * Darkness gets a bad rap. It’s the light that blinds you.

    * After a lifetime of study and experimentation, I am definitely an atheist. But if I had to choose one religion, I’d probably opt for paganism.

    * I’d be far more interested in politics if the people who run for office were more principled.

    * I just don’t like white chocolate.

    * If I was a billionaire, I’d gladly sign the giving pledge.

    –Photo by Julie Elliott-Abshire. Used with permission.

  • giant squid of anger

    Don’t be a giant squid of anger. Change the world

    February 20, 2015 / No Comments

    On a daily basis, many of my friends will post images/graphics on Facebook that blast politicians for doing something wrong. Conservatives and liberals may hold different points of view, but the one thing they share is unbridled umbrage.

    These posts always seem to end the same way, too: “Share if you agree!”

    Now you probably know that I’m all about sharing. I like to share information, recipes, jokes, books, food, hugs and cute kitty pictures. But if you really want to change the world, you have to move beyond online outrage and Facebook sharing. Instead, consider becoming an expert on a particular topic. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to come up with useful solutions.

    You could also write letters to your lawmakers, launch or sign petitions, participate in protests, contact your local media, write a blog, form a community group, vote, run for office, donate money or volunteer for a charity that supports your cause.

    Sharing a Facebook post tells people what you think. But if you really want to make the world a better place, you need to make it happen.

    (Photo by lentolo)

  • blue hourglass

    My take on the elections

    November 5, 2014 / No Comments

    Ten years ago, the results of an election left me both furious and depressed. A man I deeply admired was kind enough to provide some much-needed perspective. Now that I’m older, and a bit wiser, I aim to follow in his stead.

    So, if you are happy about yesterday’s election, do not to gloat. Congratulations, you won; hopefully the people you empowered will serve the public’s interests.

    And if you’re angry about the results, I urge you to handle defeat with grace. Then, get to work. You have two years to share your message and inspire change.

  • Ballot box

    You are powerful

    November 2, 2014 / No Comments

    You are powerful.
    Your words have weight
    and your actions have consequences.

    These powers are often ignored
    by those with the financial wherewithal
    to purchase signs and mailers and TV commercials.

    Yet all the dark money
    and advertised backstabbing
    mean little if you ignore their skewed messages.

    You can abstain from the process
    and remain silently pessimistic.
    Millions will do so, much to their own detriment.

    Or, you can fulfill your duty
    as a patriotic and responsible citizen
    and take a stand for what you believe is right.

    The end result may still disappoint.
    Fears often overwhelm hope
    when the fate of an unknown future is on the line.

    But you are powerful.
    On Tuesday, you will cast a vote,
    and the political world will shift at your might.

    (Poem by Jade Walker. Photo by Wendell Franks)