Ugh.

"I started wondering whether we could actually change the world.  I mean, of course we could - we could change our buying habits, elect socially conscious representatives and that sort of thing, but I honestly don't believe we will be solving the greater human conflict with our efforts.  The problem is not a certain type of legislation or even a certain politician; the problem is the same that it has always been.

"I am the problem.

"I think every conscious person, every person who is awake to the functioning principles within his reality, has a moment where he stops blaming the problems in the world on group think, on humanity and authority, and starts to face himself.  I hate this more than anything.  This is the hardest principle within Christian spirituality for me to deal with.  The problem is not out there; the problem is the needy beast of a thing that lives in my chest.

"...I am not browbeating myself here; I am only saying that true change, true life-giving, God-honoring change would have to start with the individual."
--Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller

Ahhh...  I thought once the elections were over I would stop hearing all the hate-filled, cynical, judgemental rhetoric filling the air.  Bummer.  I was wrong.  I feel like I do my best to get through election seasons - trying to hear what's being said in between the lines, listening for actual facts and reason in the blaring noise, sifting through the few "positions" on issues amid the finger-pointing...  I thought we got through it for now.

Nope.  The news is filled with more slander and judgement calls (I though the news was supposed to be neutral?!).  I'm still getting politically charged emails and messages.  Everyone has an opinion - and of course, only their opinion could be right.

I'm done.  I'm not paying attention to any more of it.  Pointing fingers and blaming everyone else gets us nowhere.  I'm choosing the stance of "love your neighbor" and working on the way I interact with the world;  making better choices in my own life - that reflect grace and dignity for all.  It's a hard road.  I'm not good at it.  I have a lot of growing and learning to do.  But I'm up for the challenge... 

So for now, please don't lecture me with your politics.  Please don't send me emails.  Please don't tell me the world is going to Heaven or Hell because so-and-so got elected. I don't care about that.  What I care about is - what is one thing you did today to make the world a better place?

Things I am thankful for today:

1.  A good workout.
2.  Brightly colored paper and envelopes - make me smile.
3.  Culver's pumpkin shakes.  Mmmm...
4.  Finally getting my paycheck deposited!  Phew!
5.  Fun, mindless projects to work on.
6.  Being reminded of a meeting at the last minute!
7.  Excitement that others will still do The Walk to End Hunger this year (even thought I can't)!
8.  A lovely prayer meeting with a neat lady.
9.  Going to a beer tasting with the hubby.  A free, fun, night out!
10.  Going to bed at a normal hour!

Today I am thankful for Mirrors.  They remind us who we are - the good, the bad, and the ugly.  But in reminding us, give us the chance to keep working at being better.  I am thankful for the things I read that make me think, for the people in my life who inspire me, and the faith that makes me strong enough to continue striving for a better me and a better world.