The Sun Will Come Out...

A couple of months ago I fell for the hype that the media is stirring up. I found myself unable to sleep with the worry of who would be our next president. I was doing research, i.e. falling into the rabbit hole that is the internet, which only deepened my uncertainty.

One day, or maybe slowly over a few days, I quit caring so much. I think it started with looking into immigrating to Ireland. Don't judge, it's where my people are from. From there I got hooked on Ireland travel vlogs and videos explaining the different accents. Those videos inspired me to start planning a family to trip to the Emerald Isle in 2019, which led me to the realization that the world is going to keep spinning regardless of what joker is voted in as president.

Ireland, for your viewing pleasure:

 

[caption id="attachment_867" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Photo Credit: Crash Test Mike Flickr via Compfight cc[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_868" align="alignnone" width="604"] Photo Credit: Gustav Bergman Flickr via Compfight cc[/caption]

Don't you feel better already?

I use Tapestry of Grace in our homeschool, a unit study curriculum focusing on history and encompassing classical studies. I can't say enough awesome things about this curriculum, my favorite being the perspective that ultimately the events of history will unfold as they will bringing God's perfect plan into action. No matter how bad things look, historically speaking, the will of God is being worked. His plan uses difficult circumstances to deepen our faith, spur us into action, and grow the Church.

So I calmed the heck down about it all and applied my favorite quote that can be applied to everything:

If you can't make it better, 

you can laugh at it  ~ Erma Bombeck

I know people are passionate about all that's going on right now. Some of that passion is not misplaced. Some of it,though, is hoopla brought on by too much time on the internet or television or talk radio. If you think about it, though, there is so much to laugh at this election cycle.

Here's some other things that you can do to help get through the next 48 hours:

• Read this from PBS News  or this from one of my favorite blogs, The Art of Simple. These are both survival guides that add some much needed levity.

• Watch some Bad Lip Reading videos. If at least one of those doesn't have you crying and/or peeing your pants something inside you is broken. I'm not kidding. Go to the doctor if you don't find these funny.

• If you find yourself getting so mad that you are unfriending people on social media...it's probably time to take a break from social media. You're not going to change anyone's mind at this point, and it's doubtful that anyone is going to change your mind. Hitting share in an attempt to shock others into sharing your opinion isn't going to further any healthy discussion.

• Take a moment to get out in the world and talk to people. Don't talk about the election for Pete's sake, just talk to them. Say hello to strangers, ask the person checking you out at the grocery how they are, chat with the person behind you at the coffee shop.

• Sit at a park and watch kids play, taking special notice of how they work stuff out. I believe we've still retained the ability to do the same thing as adults.


• As a Christian it's important that I know who's Lord of my Life. My friend David Wu preached a great sermon reminding me that loving your neighbor, even one with conflicting political views, is a simple task when Jesus reigns in every area of my life.


• Remember that tomorrow will come, and that the day after the election we will have to look one another in the face. We're not all going to be happy, and some of us may feel scared, and most of us will be tender. Let's remember that and practice kindness in the coming weeks.


• Put this song on repeat.

 

Ultimately, the sun will come out tomorrow. Yes, that's a Little Orphan Annie quote, because I'm an optimist. Knowing that the sun WILL come out no matter who will be taking office reminds me of who is in charge. That is more awesome than anything else happening in our world at this time.

[caption id="attachment_869" align="alignnone" width="604"] Photo Credit: Infomastern Flickr via Compfight cc[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_870" align="alignnone" width="604"] Photo Credit: scott1346 Flickr via Compfight cc[/caption]

 

Be kind to one another, misfits. Sometimes that's the bravest act of all.