America needs a break and I do too.
My husband, Chris, is stressing over his mounting college assignments, and my homeschool children are wanting to start their Christmas break a month early. I have forgotten several important things this week, including a meeting, and I feel like I have accomplished almost nothing for the last two weeks. Thanksgiving is only a week away and Christmas is a little more than a month away. My holiday to-do list is becoming unmanageable, I am exhausted, and my extended family is in crisis mode.
I don’t know about you, but I am experiencing way too much pressure lately.
I wish I could blame my stress solely on my immediate surroundings, the holiday season, and my family circumstances, but the truth is that most of us are feeling the strain for another reason. Our country’s atmosphere is charged with frustration, fear, hurt, anger, and confusion over the election. Many Americans are choosing sides, as the news channels and social media are spoon-feeding us reasons to dislike everyone, including our own family and friends. I am sick of watching it. Aren’t you?
For the last two days, I have avoided looking at my Facebook page. I don’t want to see another hateful or snide post about Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, or President and Mrs. Obama. What happened to the saying, “if you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say anything at all?” Have we forgotten how to be civilized Americans? Can’t we express our views and issues, as rational adults, in a healthy manner?
We need to remember that our children are watching us, and other nations, including our enemies, are watching us. They want to know where we stand united and where we are vulnerable. They are taking notes.
This week, I have been reminding myself to slow down, take some deep breaths, and re-evaluate my circumstances, in order to regain my personal peace.
Maybe America should do the same. Our circumstances do not dictate our responses; we do. So, let’s take a little time to calm down, breathe, and gain perspective. America needs a break from the chaos. Let’s stop demonstrating our anger, lay down our weapons, and listen to one another. We need to come together, so we can move forward as a nation.
If we don’t, our division may cost us, and our children, the freedom we dearly treasure.
Great. I think you really tapped into what is going on. I have been feeling anger in the atmosphere for a few weeks, like a cloud floating overhead pressing down.
Your writings are so insightful and timely.