End of the Year!

The last day of 2018.  A time to look back or a time to look ahead?  Maybe a little of both, or maybe neither.

Let’s try looking back first.  Not much to like or praise.  Dysfunction, chaos, inward looking in the U.S.  And when looking outward, much the same.  A trade war that is lose-lose for everyone.  Betraying allies.  Betraying alliances.  No longer a country that stands for morals and humanity.

And other countries aren’t doing a lot better.  Inequality growing.  Global wars and violence continuing unabated.  Democracy losing ground to nativism.  As the U.S. retreats Russia and China gain ground.  Europe in protest.  Brexit a symbol of what’s wrong not only in the U.K.

Enough looking back.  How about looking forward?  Painful.  More of the same and the picture looks dismal.  Skepticism and cynicism abound.  Should we give in and give up?  I hate to say ‘yes,’ but if had to make a bet . . .?

So we’re left with the present, today.  Now.  That doesn’t look too bad.  The sun is shining.  I am in my bubble, able to not focus on all that bad stuff, but to be grateful for my many blessings.  I think I’ll relax and stay here for a while.

Happy New Year!