This means that I’m “shut in” for the time being. So I don’t have a nice, inspiring little story about our group; what we’re doing, where we’re gathering, what wonderful plans we’re making for summer. I hope to have some of this good news to share soon.
But for now, I’m living in the whole world. What a world! It comes into my living room via too much news! Just this morning I’m involved in a new war in India and Pakistan. How many strikes, How many deaths. Yesterday, all day, I considered what would happen when our prime minister entered that famous oval office to sit on those famous yellow chairs. As I’m writing this the slow procession of cardinals is walking under that amazing ceiling to select the next pope. They’re about to lock the doors and we’ll wait for white smoke.
I’m aware of many more world conflicts, many tragedies, catastrophes as news stories compete for my attention via countless news sources. I have to choose.
My choices have to include not to be engaged at all. Not to worry about what I cannot influence in any way. Not to notice what new threat has appeared in some distant time zone since I last looked. Not to notice what red tape has been cut, or what environmental regulation is set to be ignored, whose care will be next to sacrificed in the name of necessary development.
I can choose to look in another direction. I can follow the hockey season, nearing its end. Or I can keep one eye on the rising popularity of women in sports as new soccer, basketball and hockey. Surely a positive trend?
So what is my point as I sit here with my Kleenex in one hand and my remote in the other? Every life is shaped by a series of such choices. An infinite number of such choices we make every hour of every day. Of course, even the choice not to choose is to choose. How do I make those choices “responsible” ones? One of our enduring principles is to make responsible choices. Where I sit today, with my cold, brings this value close to me. Perhaps too close.
I’m reminded of that principle of the conflict between the circle of concern and the circle of influence. Balancing those circles is important. Choosing to look away to protect my own mental health is also important. Because I need to preserve the energy to tend to the needs where I have the ability to help. One day this cold will subside and I’ll turn off the world that could paralyze me into inactivity if I’m not careful.
Join me in making the responsible choice to do what I can, where I am.
*******************
