Warning: I am in an odd sort of mood tonight. One of the challenges of writing a daily blog, sometimes late at night (I’m starting tonight at 10 p.m. Eastern, about 30 to 45 minutes later than usual) is that on the fly I have to come up with a reasonably clear idea and be able to find words to convey it and make sincere efforts at coherence and creating interest. Some nights are more successful than others. By and large, I hope that those faithful followers find value on most days and read enough good posts to outweigh the days that are more fuzzy or less coherent or downright dull. My first appreciation is to those folks who have stuck with me and read this blog from day one. There are actually a few people whom I know have read all previous 539 posts, perhaps missing a day here or there but going back to read it. I am grateful to you for your faith in the possibility that on any given night I might have something good to say. Thank you.
Today at work everyone at the organization received an email informing us that because of the political haranguing in Washington over the “fiscal cliff,” effective January 1 our paychecks would be reduced by 2%. This is pretty dramatic news for those of us who live on a very tight margin where a few dollars here or there have a significant impact on the quality of life. I won’t know the exact impact on my check for another couple of weeks, but whatever it is, it’ll have ripple effects in my ability to meet my obligations.
I have very rarely written anything political in this blog–for the most part I have remained focused on elements of the primary topic of gratitude. I will do my best to stay with that for the most part, but I am going to stray off topic for a few minutes. I have had moments of real anger and disgust at the politics among lawmakers who are arguing back and forth over what they will and won’t do as if they are playing with monopoly money that has no impact on real people. Many of the legislators in Washington and across the country seem to have no connection to or concern for the average person. They’re not going to lose 2% of their pay, be unable to pay their bills, have their power turned off, or lose their homes or suffer any particular consequence of their failures to come to agreements on the issues associated with the “fiscal cliff.” The phrase has been overused to the point of being meaningless. What it really means–this failure to reach a deal in a timely way–is that average people will suffer, are suffering already.
As I read about so many other challenges and issues that these legislators, governors are ignoring while focusing on maintaining the status quo for a certain echelon of America while all those who do not fit a particular demographic are further disenfranchised, it causes me great concern for the culture we are creating in this country and the impact it can and will have on so many people if we do not change.
It’s difficult to focus on gratitude and the blessings in my life when I see so many people struggling with a wide variety of obstacles and challenges that could be made much simpler if people in power cared about all the people instead of some of them. I have struggled mightily at times and have found myself at the end of my financial rope. If it weren’t for my family supporting me until I could regain my equilibrium, I would likely have been out on the street or experiencing extremely difficult living conditions. I am grateful that they had the means to help me. I pray for all those people who are struggling and have no one to assist them.
I am a bit disheartened tonight, but before I sleep I will turn my thoughts to prayer and think about what actions I can conceivably take to help begin to make a difference somewhere in this mess, to help bring about solutions rather than despair at the way things seem to be going. Acceptance of what is, gratitude for the blessings in my life will help inform how I move forward. I have no idea what this looks like at the moment–what will I do? What can I do?–but I am putting my thoughts toward it and will see what answers unfold for me. Until then I’ll keep practicing as best I can the qualities of lovingkindness, compassion, joy and equanimity as I walk the path. Please continue to walk along with me. Perhaps together we can begin to create change.
