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11 #Gratitude Reasons for a Wacky Election

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The vitriol of this election cycle shot up my blood pressure, so I walked away from the noise by:

  1. Unplugging the TV—permanently
  2. Reading select sources subscribing to Shane Snow’s boiled-down version of journalism’s code of ethics: “a) seek the truth as fully as possible; b) act independently; c) seek to minimize harm and behave responsibly; and d) be accountable.”
  3. Disengaging from political “discourse” on Facebook and Twitter
  4. Engaging a mindfulness coach
  5. Stepping daily through a garden’s life cycles
  6. Sitting quietly at dawn with my fingers tuned to the contented hum of my cat’s throat
  7. Returning to a daily yoga practice
  8. Uninviting anger banging at my virtual door (i.e., misappropriating Jean Paul Sartre’s version of “l’enfer, c’est les autres” from No Exit comes in handy)
  9. Flowing with Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching day into night
  10. Reaching for God by remembering those who lived by doing the right thing—sans ego
  11. Reflecting on Albert Camus’ The Plague: . . . “there is no true goodness or fine love without the greatest possible degree of clear-sightedness.”

Do I sleep soundly at night? Well, I’m getting there. It’s called a separate peace.

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Above photos by Limin Kung

Daily Post Prompt: Second Thoughts —I have none when it comes to these life fundamentals.

21 Comments

  1. lifelessons

    I, too, have developed high blood pressure even though I turned off the TV eight or more years ago. What leaks through is distressing enough. You are so wise. Will Durant agrees with you, as did Voltaire. The only influence we now seem to have is within our own personal realm, where we have to live according to our own beliefs.

  2. Bea dM

    I knew I would love your post, and left it to today so I could savour it properly… once over at least my initial shock. How very wise, all 11 of your points! I suspect this moment in time could turn out to be a good personal wake-up call for many of us. Away from the madding crowd, to pursue our meaningful projects…

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