Bubble Girl

Yes, I freely admit, this is what my friends called me when I was in high school. And for good reason I suppose, but I didn't care.

See, I grew up in a small town, without a TV, and pretty much didn't care about what was "popular", celebrities, styles, etc. I mostly still don't, although I do regret my exclusively t-shirt and jeans wardrobe back then...

But where am I going with all this?

Well, lately the popular thing seems to be getting all riled up about politics. And if you've read my blog for any length of time you'll know that I don't usually talk about controversial or political things. But basically I'm just sick of it all.

I'm sick of the polarization.

I'm sick of the caricaturing of those we don't agree with.

I'm sick of the media hype and the fear-mongering.

Can't we all just get along like rational civilized human beings???

And here's where my Bubble Girl mentality kicks in...

I'm all for being educated on the issues. Read lots of different sources, pay attention to the news, talk to your friends, talk to your legislators, and vote.

However, at some point it seems there is not a whole lot I, as an individual, can do. And at that point I'd rather not hear anything more about it. I'd like to stick my head in the sand like an ostrich.

I want to live in my house with my family, enjoy them, nature, life, and not be constantly bombarded by all the craziness!

I do believe strongly in a few issues and I make my opinions known to my representatives, but I don't go around spouting them all the time. I'm beginning to think we can make more of a difference in our sphere of influence than on the national scene. (Of course if you are well known and have an audience, you may have more influence than I. But I don't aspire to that sort of thing.)

Change the world through how you live. Live simply. Don't rely on your stuff or your circumstances to make you happy. Cherish the moments and people around you.

I'm thinking of how Shaun Groves has downsized his life and made his priority about saving children. Right now he's in El Salvador with Compassion to raise awareness of what we can do in the life of just one child. But here at home, he's moved into a smaller house, making do with less stuff.

Please don't get me wrong. I'm not idolizing him. I just think that some of the things he aspires to do in his life are pretty worthwhile. I'm still working on it.

In conclusion, comma, what I think I'm trying to say is this:

Be a friend.

Be a person who looks at others as just like you. Treat them like you would like to be treated.

Live in the now and don't worry as much about the future.

And if you must, be invested in politics, but not so much that you forget that "they" are people too!



Have a blessed weekend! and let me go back to my bubble, pretty please?