So I specifically planned to be out of the house last night because I just knew that if I watched the debate, the evening would end with my foot in the television. But after hearing y'all's comments on it, I'm kinda wondering if I should have checked it out anyway. My desire not to have an aneurysm isn't really a valid reason to opt out of the political process.
...On the other hand, I just read some more post-debate analysis and now I want to go soak my head, so maybe I did make the right decision after all. Fair warning: I expect to be damn near insufferable for the next month.
Yes, I realize that this poll neglects those of you outside the U.S. Sorry, no way around it. This is just my way of reminding everyone that in most places, the voter registration deadline is Monday.
After the travails of this morning, I was lucky enough to find the latest issue of Sports Illustrated to read during my lunch break, and guess what's on the first few pages? Photos from the Paralympic Games. An archer aiming with his mouth. A man with one leg riding a bicycle. A man with no legs swimming.
I'm skeptical about the whole other-people-have-it-worse-so-suck-it-up line of thinking sometimes. The fact that other people are going through hells a thousand times worse doesn't make your own problems go away when you're in the thick of them, and I really do think it's okay for us to feel our emotions without beating ourselves up over whether we have the right to feel that way. But... it's also important sometimes to step back and really look at what we have. If I don't like being a shadow person at work, what must it be like for the custodial staff? I'm from a blue-and-pink-collar home, I strongly believe that all work is honorable, but how much respect do they really get treated with? One of my co-workers mentioned that some people seem to make themselves feel bigger and better by abusing people they think will have to put up with it. It seems like the opposite should be the rule.
Do me a favor today. Be nice to someone you don't know. Or someone you know who isn't expecting it.
I know that I'll still get pissed when people are rude to me at work. But I have my health, I'm not hungry or homeless or in physical danger, my life is much more good than bad, and I can call some truly beautiful souls my friends. I'm blessed.