Looking For The Bright Side

To be honest, I've been in a funk ever since the election last November. I stopped knitting, found cooking dinner to be a chore, and have been really upset in general. I'm still upset (and don't foresee that changing any time soon based on the events of the last week and a half), however I am also choosing to channel my frustrations into action, no matter how small, and look for the good in life.

How I'm staying informed: Listening to political podcasts such as Pod Save America, Slate Political Gabfest, NPR Politics Podcast, and Face The Nation. Reading as much of The New York Times, The Washington Post, Slate and The Atlantic online that I can.

How I'm balancing out the potential for information overload which leads to more stress/worry: starting up knitting again, lots and of spontaneous dance parties with the kids to Gianna's new favorite song "Can't Stop The Feeling" by Justin Timberlake, spending more time with friends face to face, embracing the school fundraiser night at the local pizzeria, looking forward to Ryan Adams' new album later this month, and engaging in some fanciful escapism while listening to the Anne Rice classic Interview with the Vampire. I haven't read it since I was in junior high. I devoured the whole series years ago.  Also, lots and lots of cute cat videos.

How I'm taking action: monthly donations to our local chapters of Planned Parenthood (who provided me with years of healthcare in my twenties and thirties), the ACLU and the International Rescue Committee. We also set up a monthly donation to the Neighborhood House, which is a local organization dedicated to "helping low-income, recent immigrant and other vulnerable people overcome challenges so they can achieve success, stability and independence." I think supporting national causes is important, but local groups are just as important and tend to get overlooked, especially when big things are happening nationally. The best news was discovering that my husband's employer will match our monthly contributions. I have been writing postcards to my representatives, urging them to keep up the good fight! Taking my kids to a neighborhood peace march was a great way to spread love on inauguration day while teaching them to support our values (love, peace, equality) instead of simply booing the opposing side. In addition to bringing my own grocery bags to the store, I've gone a step further and have been bringing my own jars to fill with bulk food instead of filling plastic bags and containers. It's such a tiny thing to do, but I love not contributing as much recycling and garbage to the planet. I've also been diligently planning this year's garden. Audrey Hepburn said, "To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow" and I agree. Here's hoping for brighter days in the future.