Sunday Food For Thought

While climatologists predict another dangerous hurricane season in the United States, there are vicious storms of a different stripe ready to strike every part of the country as well.

Welcome to another election year.

Those of us who cover US politics are more than familiar with the surges of insanity and tides of despair that we, having battled for so long, still must admit we are less than prepared for. We can post our mental sheets of plywood on the windows of our emotions and even, on occasion, evacuate to places of spiritual safety in order to regroup. But the almost unrelenting rains of anger and discord are, in the end, wholly unavoidable. And the damage must ever be repaired. That has become an almost impossible task as so many have so little time and so few resources to do so before the next wave hits.

Many of us are already so storm weary that battening down the hatches seems to be a task best left to the younger and stronger whose energy has not yet been taxed by decades of onslaughts by Father Politics. But, the young and strong need guidance. They require lessons in how to best secure their safety; in how to defend themselves in the most practical way; in how to survive with hope and dignity intact.

There really is no guaranteed mental shelter when one is so attached to one's home, one's belief in the power of human nature to eventually set things right.

And so, knowing that strength may be waning, we turn to our communities to shore us up; to aid us in preparation; to stand against the storms unified and confident that we will weather another unpredictable season of conflict and change - knowing that whatever happens, we did not surrender our principles and knowing that we can return to that home in ourselves that believes in fighting the good fight - even when we feel so powerless against forces that would destroy us if we simply laid down and gave up.

Rest up. Gather your strength and let those forces know that you will not be defeated - that there are things worth fighting for and that whatever becomes of the internal home so beaten and battered, you will rebuild. Not only that, you will have learned valuable lessons to apply to the next round of storms and will be an invaluable resource to those who have yet to face their first stormy season - for they will need your wisdom if they too are to survive.