Leaving Rage Behind...

Seven years ago today, I read an article about political rhetoric and how being in a constant state of outrage is maybe not the best thing for my well-being. As I thought about the article, I had to admit to myself that this is me. For those of you who've known me across the years, there's always been something that's had me on a soapbox. Most of the time it was probably a liberal leaning something or other but there were times in high school and in my early 40's where I leaned to the right, but no matter where I was, there was always some outrage I had to vent about.

Honestly, for me, being outraged is mood-altering and something I don't need in my life. I choose something better than getting high on anger. My desire is each day, not to live in the news, but to live in the now and to be present with the people I am blessed to have in my life. To be in a state of outrage, is to live in a state of fear and that is a product I no longer wish to consume. Life is Hard Enough.

As your friend, my desire is for the best for each of you. That is the essence of neighborliness. I'm blessed to live in a wonderfully diverse neighborhood, with people I'm might disagree with about something or other. What I like to remember is we are friends on the journey, and we trust the good intentions of each other. My hope is that my effect on you, however small it was and is, will be that I brought out the best in you and didn't engage the not so awesome parts of you. I will close with this thought, there is a little bit of good in the worst of us and a little bit of bad in the best of us.

With that thought, peace and blessings to you all!

~TommyJ~