The (sometimes) struggle to stay positive

I’m generally a pretty positive and optimistic person.

Truth be, that was even more so that case before the shit that’s happened in my life in past 8 years. But, generally, that is the case.

I really WANT to believe in the general goodness of people.

That love and generosity triumph over hate and cruelty.

But, sometimes that gets really hard.

When every day you or someone you love is being harassed and abused by some angry person who just can’t let go of the need for selfish revenge it gets tiresome.

It’s very disconcerting when people dear to you (who you know aren’t “bad” people) are brainwashed by conspiracy theories or wrapped up in fear & hate mongering to the point that you can’t even look at their social media profiles without feeling sad, disgusted, and disturbed.

The fact that a good portion of the citizens in this country consistently ignore science, facts, evidence, common sense, and even common decency can really leave someone feeling despair and a pretty strong lack of hope that things can ever get better.

I wish that there was some way to get to see the cruel people to see what they are doing and to be the catalyst for them to stop, but I’ve tried that to no avail.

I wish that I could get those who perpetuate a hateful social and political agenda to see their ignorance and to see something outside their own narrow, harmful worldview. But again, I’ve tried so hard and those minds and hearts are closed tight.

But I’m going to keep trying.

I’m going to think about the wonderful people in my life who are committed to sticking together and helping each other out through anything that comes our way.

I’ll try to instead remember the people who have helped my family and fought for the justice that we needed (and still need).

And I’ll try my best to turn my focus instead to the even larger group of people who are fighting for positive change and against injustice and hate in all forms.

I’ll feel the love in my heart and let it flourish.

I’ll do my best to “be love.”

But, seriously guys. Could you just take a look in the mirror and chill the fuck out already? Stop abusing people (your exes, your children, your family, your friends, your fellow humans on this planet), spreading lies and hate, and advocating against human rights and the common good.

It would really help a lot.