Going to Hell in a Hand Basket

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I love the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. I think I’ve written about this before. What a gift, to be given the opportunity of knowing for absolute sure that you made a difference. That you mattered. That your life counted for something.

Lately I am transfixed by what is going on in the world. I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from the evening news. Or the afternoon news. Or the suppertime news. People who are making a difference are splashed all over the television. Every. Single. Day.

The problem, though, is that most of the people who are making a difference are not making a good difference. They are sewing seeds of hate, tribalism, discrimination, dishonesty, discord and corruption. They are rich; they are powerful; what they say – no matter how ridiculous or outrageous – is taken into account. And for some unfathomable reason, the powerful few seem to make perfect sense to so many in the powerless mob.

In my own country, our handsome, charismatic leader has spent the better part of two months defending undefendable actions while his opposition sanctimoniously crows each day about ‘how they would never act in such a manner’ when even the most recent history proves that they would have done the same and far, far worse.

Meanwhile, dictators continue to dictate; people with guns continue to kill one another; the rich continue to exploit every natural resource with no thought to the future of their grandchildren; the middle class is becoming a distant memory and the poor continue to be hungry. The ocean is brimming over with plastic and we – one lone species – in one century have managed to bring more destruction to the planet; to bring more species to the edge of extinction than any other time in earth’s history.

And no one cares. It’s all just business as usual.

I have lost hope. And still I watch the news each day, utterly unable to turn away just because I do not like what I am seeing.

Shouldn’t some of us bear witness to this insanity?

Source of photo

Patti Moore Wilson © wednesdayschildca.wordpress.com

Author: Patti Moore Wilson, wednesdayschild2

I write what I feel. And I rarely know exactly what I feel until I write. I have lived long enough to have known many joys and many sorrows. I have made many mistakes; I have forgiven myself for a few… I have learned that there are lessons in every step of this journey, if we only take the time to pay attention… I hope you will feel free to pick and choose the stories that resonate for you…

17 thoughts on “Going to Hell in a Hand Basket”

  1. My father when he was alive got stuck in a negative world of the news were everything was just tragic and sad…just horrible everyday. I know what you are saying here and it is ugly out there, especially in the world they show us on those screens. They want people to just give up, to just stay where they are watching this unfold and become afraid. They love the hopelessness. I try to do the opposite. Turn it off, go out meet and greet other humans with a smile. It’s like that Mother Teresa quote “Do small things with great Love” which I believe will help start turning things around out there. There is a lot that needs done and it will not be easy, especially since Hate is trending at the moment. The most important thing I always tell my adult kids, is that they know they are the future, to represent it well. One day at a time, taking small steps, and anything can be accomplished. Do not let these bullies decide your fate. Follow what is in your heart even if it is something small, the world will appreciate it. Have a great weekend and may only good things come your way from this day forward.

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    1. Oh, bless you, and thank you so much… 🙏🙏🙏 I do make a real effort NOT to get discouraged but every once in awhile, it all gets the best of me. A dear friend gave me some similar advice, and told me she does NOT watch the news anymore, not because she doesn’t care, but because she cares too much. It has been a particularly long winter here in eastern Canada this year, and I suspect THAT has had a little bit to do with my mood as well. Thank you for reminding me to put things into perspective and to focus on the little things…💕

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  3. I don’t watch the News and I don’t read newspapers. I know that may make me sound like I’m ignorant or uninformed, but I’m neither. I keep my eyes and ears open and I have a tongue in my head. If I deem something important enough to know about, I’ll find out my own way.

    I know so, so many negative people, always bitchin’ and moaning about politics, religion, the weather and everything inbetween. It bothers me, but I’m not a negative person and refuse to be sucked into their world.

    I’m realistic too though. I realise that all the things that make my eyes roll are often important issues, but I just CAN’T let it all get me down.

    I’m not one of those sunshiney happy people either. Both extremes equally make my eyes roll.

    I’m sorry that you’ve lost hope.

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    1. p.s. I also write a lot of stuff which may sound hugely moany and negative, but there’s a fair bit of tongue-in-cheek there too. I rarely write about politics or religion. I’m just not qualified for that.

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    2. Oh, it comes and it goes, Allane. And a few people have recommended that I stop watching and listening to the dire warnings on the news and just get out there and ‘be’. I have decided to listen to them. MY way hasn’t really been working all that well for me… I do love your attitude. Especially the eye rolls 💕💕💕

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  4. I have had to quit watching the news on a daily basis. I think I would become overly discouraged if I delved too far into all the bad news out there. I have put my trust in God, Who will make all things right in His timing, and until then, I can only try to make a small difference with those who I come in contact.

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      1. That’s good!! It’s surprisingly easy to do. I’ve still not deactivated Fakebook, but I can’t ‘see’ the app icon unless I search for it…and I don’t. Notifications are switched off too. It’s quite freeing xx

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  5. Patti, you echo my sentiments perfectly. It has become an ordeal to read or watch news. It’s painful to watch blatant political nonsense and it’s even more painful to watch nonsense being embraced by many and taken seriously. Meanwhile, those who are at a disadvantaged continue to suffer and worse, become pawns to the game of the powerful. I feel like it’s the twilight zone most of the time. Lately, I have chosen to focus on the beauty that we can still cherish…the blue sky, the friendship that we have, the love of our family. Otherwise, I don’t think it’s possible to hold on to our sanity.

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    1. I agree! Several people – including a few very dear friends – strongly urged me to stop watching the news. I have decided that I DO like to be a little informed, but do not have to watch the news for than a few times a week to be ‘caught up’. And then I turn off the TV and watch the river flow by… 💕

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