A former classmate of mine was eliminated as the third contestant on the third season of a reality TV series, reportedly due to “poor judgment.” He claimed to be just like the show’s host, only younger and with better hair.
It feels like the world has spiraled into absurdity. How am I supposed to navigate this chaos for the sake of my daughters?
Even in the depths of winter, my thoughts drift to summer days — to sleepaway camp, where you either experience digestive distress or struggle with constipation. The camp nurses can attest to this being their most common concern, a direct result of kids trying to cope with a diet largely consisting of sugary cereals, pancakes, chicken fingers, and green olives. Such dietary imbalances are not just unhealthy; they can be hazardous.
During these dark times in December, as I sip tea instead of sugary drinks and favor healthier meals like spinach salad and hearty stew, I realize that physical balance isn’t the only concern; the spirit also needs nourishment. If I give too little, everything crumbles; if I overextend myself, I risk breakdown.
My optimism is fraying. It’s increasingly difficult to make sense of the world, and I often find myself wanting to shut my eyes and block out the noise. Every news item is laden with human suffering. From the devastation in Aleppo to the tragic warehouse fire in Oakland, the stabbing at Ohio State, the crash of the Chapecoense soccer team’s plane, the contamination of Flint’s water, and earthquakes near the Fukushima nuclear site — the list goes on. Then there’s the near desecration of sacred Sioux lands by oil pipelines, which have since leaked. Just last week, a billion Yahoo! users discovered their information was hacked in 2013, and it appears the ivory-billed woodpecker may be gone forever. Climate change is undeniably real, which circles us back to the chaos of political boardrooms. Honestly, I dread falling asleep, fearing what I’ll find on social media in the morning.
This morning, Merriam-Webster declared “surreal” as the Word of the Year for 2016. Later, I read about Russian cyber intrusions jeopardizing our electoral integrity, and not long after, I saw news of a truck attack at a Christmas market in Berlin, killing nine and injuring dozens.
How can I process this overwhelming horror without losing my grip? I can’t think about what to serve my girls for dinner without being reminded of the starving children in Syrian refugee camps. It’s impossible for me to reduce my empathy; I can’t seem to find a middle ground.
People often tell me what I should be doing: Write to elected officials, contribute to charities, participate in rallies, sign petitions, and engage with social media. Yet, what I truly need to focus on is rising to meet each day.
My commitment starts with hitting the snooze button one less time, waking up a few minutes earlier to breathe deeply and prepare for the work ahead. I do this in my classroom from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and again at our dinner table each evening.
Can we collectively agree to open our eyes to the (sur)real world outside? Amidst the chaos, any small act of kindness or flicker of hope matters. My daughters can show me, in their own way, that they understand; they just need to get dressed independently the first time they’re asked. If I see them take initiative, I’ll feel that a brighter future is possible. I’ll make them waffles and pour myself coffee, and together we’ll plan our day. “It’s full of promise,” I’ll smile, and they’ll believe me because I’m their mom. I’ll strive to embrace that belief because I must.
Then I’ll embrace them tightly.
Waking each morning is a courageous act, no less noble than any other. If we each commit to being as brave as we can and contribute to the day and each other as much as possible, we can achieve great things together. Love can be our product, and peace can be our guiding principle. I have faith that the future will flourish.
For those exploring family planning options, resources like Mount Sinai can be invaluable, alongside insights on donor options from Understanding Cryobanks. If you’re interested in home insemination, you can find more information about effective methods at Make a Mom.
In summary, even in challenging times, finding ways to rise and instill hope in our children is crucial. Small acts of kindness can make a difference in a world that often feels overwhelming.