My soul hurts and I'm deeply sad for our country. The "United" states appear to be anything but united.

This past week I've felt frozen. Unable to reach out, unable to focus; a feeling of anxiety prevailed. Once I was told I have a gift of being an encourager. But, what does an encourager do when she needs encouragement? 

Pray? I did, but for the needs of others, not for mine. 

I wavered between being mad about the division--to sad about how we treat one another--then to a deep soul hurt..a painful gut-ache for where we are as a country. 

To compound the sadness, a customer (and high school friend) told me she'll no longer do business with me because she assumes she knows my politics and it's more important than knowing who I am as a person.

Do you remember a time we could sit down and share, without fear of losing friends and customers--a time when we listened without judgement and simply agreed to disagree? Now, behind computer screens, we attack each other and cut each other out of our lives.

So, where will we go from here?

Here's my choice...

1. Temporary unplug from sources that cause me to feel anxious--social media, news, and internet. 
2. A fresh importance for self-care. Simple pleasures like playing dress up with my granddaughter, or having a tea party in our homemade fort are salve to my soul.
3. I choose my faith above my politics.The lesson of being S L O W to speak, and slow to anger, from the book of James is a timely message.
4. More random acts of kindness, true kindness,whether I'm giving or receiving...fill my heart with joy. 

Today, I choose joy and love.period.

“Love with no boundaries. Your future depends on your capacity to love.”

— Paulo Coelho

In no other time have these words been more true.

Our.future.depends.on.it.