Trying to Balance It All

With so much happening in the world—especially the genocide and starvation in Gaza—it's hard to stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed. There are moments when I think maybe I should just tune it all out and give my soul a break. But then the guilt creeps in. Guilt that I’m not speaking out more. Guilt that I’m not doing enough.

At the same time, I know I am doing what I can. I just need to figure out how to pace myself.

I’ve come to think of all the people who are paying attention, sorting fact from propaganda, protesting, writing, calling, voting, and showing up—as soldiers of democracy. A neighbor told me recently, “You’d make a good soldier.” I’ve carried that with me.

Meanwhile, the current administration released a memo reinforcing the right of federal employees to express their religious views in the workplace—even to the point of trying to persuade others of the “correctness” of their faith, as long as it’s not considered harassment.

I’m sorry, but once you start talking about the correctness of your religion to me—or anyone—I can guarantee the conversation won’t last long. And if you press the issue, we probably won’t have many conversations at all going forward.

Now, if you want to tell me what your religion means to you, I’m here for that. I can respect that it’s right for you. But I’m not interested in hearing why it should be right for me.

Who knew that when my parents and extended family were raising me, they were teaching me to be “woke”? And for the record, I’m proud to be woke. Near as I can tell, the opposite of being woke is being asleep—following without question. And who, exactly, am I supposed to be following?

Growing up in the ’50s through the ’70s, I was taught there were three things you didn’t bring up in polite company: money, sex, and religion. Maybe that’s why I still get uneasy when people try to bring those topics into the workplace or political policy.

My mother had another rule of thumb for decision-making: “Would you want it on the front page of the newspaper?” Let’s just say that gave me pause more than once. Too bad some of today’s leaders don’t ask themselves the same question before they speak or act.

Speaking of leadership… I read recently that some folks are celebrating how much money tariffs are bringing into the U.S. treasury. Let’s be clear: tariffs are taxes on the buyer, not the seller. That means regular folks—especially those on fixed incomes—are footing the bill. The wealthy barely notice. But those living on Social Security, disability, or pensions? They sure do.

Let’s stop pretending trickle-down economics has ever worked. It hasn’t. Not once.

If you came here today hoping to read about my grandchildren, Joe’s latest adventure, or my love of life—please know all of that is still true. But every so often, I need to share this other side of me. The part that lies awake at night thinking about the world we’re handing off to the next generation. The part of me that balances joy with worry.

Sending love today—and hoping you’re finding light and laughter in your own corners of this scary, scary world.