Thoughts From Beyond The Paddock

Often, I try to write stories and thoughts that at some point connect the human to the horse.

Today is not one of those days.

I personally have felt like the entire weight of the world is pressing against my shoulders. I believe that, in no possible way, I have been the only person feeling this constant feeling of doom and gloom. We have, in recent times, witnessed absolute calamity in the United States.

The CDC first received reports of COVID-19 back in January 2020, followed by the WHO declaring it an official pandemic in March of 2020.

2020 also brought the impeachment of then President Donald Trump, stock market crash, murder hornets, West coast wildfires, and the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. That was only naming a few, and all listed were in 2020 ALONE.

2021, not to be out done, brought the January 6th Insurrection, mass shootings in Atlanta, GA and Boulder, CO, the deadly condominium collapse in Florida, the unfortunate passing of Colin Powell and Hank Aaron.

We’re not even going to get into the mess 2022 has brought thus far.

Without a doubt, these past two years have been exceptionally stressful. For all of us. How are we to possibly keep our sanity going forward?!

I have found some excellent ideas in an article aptly named “How to Stay Sane in America (2022)”. Author Charlie Lukas has a few thoughts that I’ll break down here for you, I’ve also included a link to the article below.

No one is forcing you to consume the information that exists on the internet.

If you click on ugly content, then the wonders of algorithms will continue to show you more of the same.

If you feel anxious, depressed, or angry when on your phone—its time to fine a new method of looking at it.

If you are on a fact-finding mission, look in a book. No comment section there! No additional voices to shove their own opinions down your throat. Work to try looking up topics that are amusing or heartwarming. You are the one to control where your emotions are on the spectrum between peaceful/happy and upset/depressed.

As individuals, we possess the freedom to believe in whatever we like. As individuals we also must respect how others believe; the truth of your life is not the same for everyone. Attempting to force your beliefs’ (or have others enforce theirs on you) is a losing battle.

Each and every one of the people on this earth have viewed their lives through different lenses, and that is something that is often forgotten.

The last topic I wish to cover is, let it go. It is a soul-devouring effort to try and convince a person to change their beliefs’, you can only take charge of you. Personify what you wish to see each time you walk out the door. Act with kindness. Speak with respect.

And remember, it is what it is.

https://medium.com/illumination/how-to-stay-sane-in-america-2022-388d61a037bc