Because we felt so negatively impacted by the news, we canceled our television service and opted for a leaf antennae for our local stations. We rarely turn the t.v. on any more unless we are pulling in a movie or watching a DVD of scenic vistas. Radio and music and books have been enough for us. (Well, except, when we first cut the cord, Juanita thought she should at least read the headlines to stay a bit informed, thinking the headlines would not affect me, but I was wrong)

I have noticed that even in headline reading, anxiety will rear its ugly head, because most of it is horribly negative. What I have observed is that the anxiety doesn’t come from any one topic really….it comes from the ongoing onslaught of the ever present, broad based ugly trashing of each other over EVERY. LITTLE. THING! How we look, how we vote, what we wear, how much we weigh, what we drive, where we live, etc., etc,.

Meghan Markles jealous sister is being given a platform in social media because it causes a stir! Me thinks she will never go quietly away. She will harp and harp and harp until the media chooses to NOT print her hate. But of course that will never happen. We have news feeds to fill!

The press is trying to create a fabricated rift between the two royal brothers because loving brothers don’t sell.

We see the press demonizing our First Lady on everything she does, finding fault with her even while she rarely speaks. She is just trying to stay out of the line of fire, yet they constantly harangue about her too trying to provoke a response! When did we come to think it is o.k. trash the First Lady of our country? Why are we being so mean spirited about her when we could be lifting her position up and in the process lift our country up?

Politics? Hate and intolerance abound. Al and I won’t discuss politics anymore. It is just not worth the angst that comes up in any conversation.

I have noticed that even neighborhood news feeds seem to have someone who is always trying to instigate a heated exchange.

Why?

During the Second World War, musicals and sweet movies were being mass produced because people needed a place to go to escape the horrors and reality of war and death. I am noticing that the sweeter fantasy type movies are on the rise again in recent times and surmise that this is NOT a coincidence given our ever increasing negative talk taking place everywhere.

I am so happy about the fact that there are other softer choices in movies for those of us who want to circumvent the dark side of life. Personally, we recently reserved tickets to see the newly released movie, “Mary Poppins Returns” and plan to see it with our Grand Daughters while they are visiting. I am so excited about viewing this lovely movie.

Here we are, heading towards the annual celebration of Jesus birth because “God so loved the world”. Faith, hope and love are referenced a lot in the Bible, all while emphasizing that the greatest of the 3 is love. Why does it seem so difficult to love one another? Kindness goes a looooong way in this world.

In a response to my trying to smooth a heated conversation that was taking place between a couple of people within a group, I was told “Oh for Heavens sake Juanita, life isn’t a fairy tale!” In knee jerk fashion, I responded with the comment, “Well it could be if everyone just tried a little harder!”

I still feel this way. Why do we not just try a little harder to make this world a better place? There IS love out there, little beacons of light within the darkness of hate. These little pinpoints of light are proof that it can and does exist. We ALL want to be loved and valued. Rather than look for affirmation for ourselves, we should give affirmation to others. The response is usually the sweetest gift one could receive!

This commentary wrote itself on the heels of reading today’s headlines. I now plan to give myself the Christmas present of “NO MORE NEWS”. I have stacks of good books to read, beautiful music to be played and lovely dvds to be enjoyed. I do not plan on retreating from the world for I know kindness and love and and encouragement is needed out there more than ever. It is easy to find need out there. We do not plan to be self serving, because we know love is a verb!

As for me and my house we WILL serve the Lord!