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.
One Comment
Steven
I empathize with your squidness, and I agree that the political climate is a garbage fire now. I turned on one of the news channels the other day, and instantly got a headache- if there are more than two people talking to one another on the screen, it starts to sound to me like a chimp enclosure at the zoo. If you ever need a non-judgemental ear to vent to, I’m around.