The Lady doth Protest

   For the last week there has been nothing but name calling, finger pointing and unrest. A person can't turn on the TV, read the paper or even scroll their favorite social media without being bombarded by the anger and division that threatens to tear the social fabric of our country. The upset and frustration are draining.

Almost makes me wish for the good ole days of political ads with negative campaigns of last week.

    Worse than being emotionally and physically drained is the sense of helplessness that threatens to overwhelm. I suppose I could protest, but I am not entirely sure what I should protest. The candidate who won? That was the point of voting in the election process. The candidate who lost?  I thought that was settled by the election. The election process governed by pretty much the same rules that have been in place since the birth of our country? Seems a little late for that. Guess I am not much of a protester, unless you count the actual vote that I cast last week.

I protest the divisions. I protest the anger and violence. I am protesting the loud and angry protests.

Everyone seems to have a paddle these days.

   We all know what happens when everyone has a paddle and strives to row their own way. At least I do, having spent some quality time with kids on a lake. We went in circles. Although they each had their own ideas on how to reach the shore, it wasn't until they started to work together that we made any real progress. In the end we reached our destination and enjoyed a meal together.

   No one had to compromise their personal beliefs or moral values. They simply had to accept one

another and work together. Was that so hard? Well, I have to admit, I was a bit worried that we would not be having dinner. That quite possibly a heated battle would break out with all of the children wielding paddles and everyone would wind up in the lake, cold and wet and hungry and rather bruised. At one point I thought about throwing them out of the boat.

So what did I do?

   Reminded them that they were brothers and sisters (or at the very least, cousins). Reminded them to love one another. Reminded them that I loved them, unconditionally, even if I didn't agree with them.

So what do I do now?

   I am going love. No matter what race or religion, regardless of gender, age, sexual preference, economic status, ideology or political affiliation. I am going to remind people that they are all brothers and sisters and should love one another, even if they don't agree. It won't be easy, but I will resist the urge to push others out of the boat for smoother sailing.

   I haven't given up my moral beliefs or changed how I feel about the issues that swirl around us in our country today. I don't agree with all my friends and family. But I protest the division and instead seek the healing that can only come of love. I vow to love despite our differences. Because in the end, I pray that we all reach the shore.

John 13:34 - I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have love you, so you must love one another. (Good News Translation)

Castaphobia- Yikes, and the election is Tuesday!

   There have been a lot fears that have come to light in the current presidential election.

   Some folks are afraid of the major candidates offered by our two biggest political parties. We have both Tumphobia and Clintonphobia. These are followed closely by Republicanphobia and Democraticphobia (not to be confused with Demophobia, which is the fear of crowds, regardless of their political affiliation).

   I personally am afraid of turning on the TV. Programming seems to mostly consist of mudslinging ads from one candidate or another. Thank heavens for Netflix! As the impending election day looms ever nearer, seems like all we want to do is escape the constant bombardment of negativity and threats of doom and gloom that peer around the corner no matter what choice we might make.

Let's hear it for some distracting pictures of nature.

Is it me, or did the first picture look a lot like that people-eating plant from Little Shop of Horrors?

    I am beginning to think that each of the candidates being offered has this plant like potential to devour our nation. News on my feed shows churches being burned with threatening candidate slogans written on them to scare people from voting. Early polling places are not so numerous and have garnered some long lines - and who wants to stand in line with individuals who's political affiliation may not align with yours? Like being trapped in a pod you cannot escape.

   Okay, so maybe the pictures were not all that distracting.

   I think I am just as anxious as many of my fellow Americans.

   Perhaps what I need is some silly social media. Well, after a quick look, perhaps not. Amidst the cuddly cat videos and pictures from recent vacations, there are the articles and arguments, supporting and trashing both major and minor political candidates alike.

I have read and read already. I think I am about as informed as I am going to get.

   I am pretty sure I am coming down with Politicophobia.

   Currently I am picking out my outfit for Tuesday. Pretty sure it will include plate armor and helm. Do they allow swords at polling places? I feel that I will need one. Maybe just a battle-axe. 

This is scarier than Halloween.