How To Cope With What's Happening In America

 How To Cope With What's Happening In America

Inflation - UGH! Gas prices - UGH! Shortages of food, cars, and almost everything else - UGH! Killings by guns - UGH! Racial and LGBTIQ attacks - UGH! Woman's rights - UGH! Proud Boys and the far right that want to take over America - UGH, UGH, UGH! Are you depressed yet?

What the hell is happening in my America. How do we cope with all this?

The simplest answer as to what's happening in America is anger and hatred. Some blame it on the effects of COVID. Some blame it on mental problems. Some blame it on too much negative news. Some blame it on social media that gives everyone the right to spew their anger and hatred.

I blame it on the political leadership. Remember when politics was in the middle. Some were a little right of the middle. Some were a little left of the middle. Even those who were a little left or right were still close to the middle.

Congress today is nowhere close to the middle. Democrats hate Republicans. Republicans hate Democrats. The Democrats have gone too far left and Republicans have gone too far right. Democrats are pushing a leftwing agenda because they believe that's where they will get the majority of the votes. Republicans are pushing a rightwing agenda because they believe that's where they believe they will get the majority of the votes. Congress is polarized.

What about us (there are a whole lot of us) in the middle? Who do we vote for? Who in Congress has our back? Who in Congress are making critical decisions that meet our needs? We didn't have this problem in the Obama administration. We didn't have this problem in the Regan administration. In my 77 years, I don't remember ever having this much division in Congress. 

We always had disagreements. There was always tension between the parties, but never the hatred and polarization we have today.

Sooo, how do we cope with all this. One answer is to vote for the person who you believe is leaning more to the middle. Sounds like the smart thing to do if you can find that person - which isn't easy. 

I believe you have to take a more personal approach. I suggest the following:

* Tune out the noise. Don't get caught up in all the negative media. Don't let your friends and family spue their negativity on you. If you don't want to get rid of them, change the subject when they spue. If that doesn't work, tell them you are not going to talk politics with them.

* Focus on what good is going on in your life. Take the time to step back and look at your life in a positive attitude.

* If you accomplish anything (like cleaning a closet) that day, pat yourself on the back. 

* If someone does something nice to you, hug them.

* Control you anger/hatred of things you can't control. Anger/hatred does not serve you. It destroys who you really are. It instructs your brain to find more things to hate or get angry about.

* Love life. Love people. 

LOVE YOURSELF