Good Things
Up. Not down.
I admit to a week of nervous pessimism.
If I had to name my favorite nationality, I would say “Iranian,” because I have worked with so many Iranians and have been impressed with their willingness to pitch in and help, their reasonable attitudes, and general good nature. Every Iranian I know personally hates the current Iranian military theocracy.
And here we are in a war with Iran without clear objectives and is therefore unwinnable. Interruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have caused the prices of gasoline on the pumps to rise to the highest I can remember and the news is filled with dire predictions of price increases that range from fertilizer to helium for manufacturing computer chips. On top of all this, the president and the secretary of defense have said nothing that explains to me why the war started, its objectives, or how it will end.
I’ve seen more clarity of purpose among a herd of cows with several in heat. (Those raised on a dairy farm will appreciate that image.)
But I don’t want to talk about pessimism today. I can’t change the many things I am pessimistic about, although my attitudes may be significant. If I think something, I expect hundreds or thousands will think the same thing if it’s a good idea, and I hope few are as benighted as me if it’s not a good idea, but I don’t have any illusions that I can change the world by thinking about it.
Instead, today I plan to wash the dishes, do the laundry, straighten up the kitchen, make a menu and grocery shopping list for the week, and put out food for the birds that come to our bird feeder. Those are things I can do today.
Those are the good things I can do.