Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
I spent the weekend enjoying the weather on the veranda.
NARRATOR: He doesn’t have a veranda.
True. I have an aging deck in much need of repair or replacement.
The weather this weekend was amazing. After 47 years of house arrest it was just good to be outside.
The thought came to me as I was preparing to participate in an afternoon webinar about the business of being Santa. I had everything I needed, why not do it outside?
I sort of thought of it as beach practice and a chance to get some sun. When we finally get there in August, those under the umbrella next to me will appreciate the reduction in glare from my pasty-white legs.
Enough of that.
I also wanted to take time away from social media.
I don’t know about you, but I am weary of the news. I’m weary of the hate, and the anger.
And it’s coming from all sides.
I’ve read dystopian fiction. I never thought I’d be living in it.
That’s one of the reasons I’m stepping away from Twitter for a while. It’s a cesspool over there.
Yes, I know you’re not supposed to announce that you’re “leaving” social media. And, I’m not doing that.
It’s just that elevating my blood pressure by reading the latest Tweets (pick your source) isn’t going to help anything.
Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t care. I do.
Passionately.
But I have to think about the best use of my time and creative energy.
True, Twitter is the main source of the news articles that I read, but I can find other sources.
Fortunately, Facebook allows me to “snooze” or “unfollow.” I may soon be the only person in my feed.
The events of late were the perfect storm to get me back to writing here on a regular basis. But most days you’re no longer going to get the commentary here.
I can’t fix this mess.
I can pray. I can listen. I can work to be a better me.
Maybe, I can work to remind folks that, like Samwise said, “there’s still some good in this world.”
One of my favorite writers is Sean Dietrich who writes at Sean of the South. He’s a brilliant writer and has a gift for storytelling.
I’d like to be able to do that, tell more stories. Good ones.
One of my current projects is a collection of short stories about how I remember growing up in Southwest Virginia. I’m not ready to share them yet.
With any luck, and a good amount of seat time, and time away from social media, I’ll have them done later this summer.
You have to choose your own path for navigating through this mess.
As for me, I’m going to think on some good things.
Here’s a really good thing to start your day.