opting out

 

Last week I spent a few days with my granddaughter. She's five years old. One day, she invited a friend over to play, and everything seemed to be going well until her friend came to me asking to take her home.

"I don't want to play anymore," she said...and I thought to myself, I completely understand...because I don't want to play anymore, either.

I, too, want to go home, which in my ideal world would be somewhere near where this photo was taken, in the mountains along the Northface Trail near Murren, Switzerland, or in Wengen, or in Lauterbrunen...far, far away from a culture that is self-obsessed, driven by wasteful consumerism, and addicted to power and wealth. Far away from the political nonsense that is fueled by the media. In denial of climate change and its effect on the planet. Far away from the bigotry, cruelty, and abandonment of those in need. Ridden with conspiracy theories, outright lies, and fraud.

Health care providers, in particular, should understand that we are tottering on the brink of disaster at the hands of political appointees who lack the knowledge, experience, and wisdom required to protect both health care delivery and public health policy. 

Our narrative is shifting.

"Suffering by nature or chance

never seems as painful

as suffering inflicted on us

by the arbitrary will of another."

~Arthur Schopenhauer~

I don't know about you, but I get tired of it. I get discouraged. I am fearful. Some days, I just don't want to play anymore. I want to go home, to a place of relative solitude, simplicity, and peace. Of respite and restoration. Of mindfulness and healing...if only for a little while.

"...walk away from situations

that threaten your peace of mind,

self-respect, values, morals, or self-worth."

~marcandangel.com~

Last week, my granddaughter's friend went home for a little while, too...but the next day she was back, full of joy and playfulness, rested and energized, ready to reconnect...

...which is how we should all be. 

So...what do you do when things get to be just too much? What do you do that helps? Where is home for you?

"Whatever is good for your soul...

do that."

~attribution unknown~

jan