Reading the news these days is just depressing. It seems that everyone is finding a reason to be mad about something. I understand part of that is the need for the media to generate emotions and in turn generate interest in their stories, which in turn generate ad revenue. I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it. I saw an interview this morning on MSNBC where the reporter was asking a lady in Florida (in response to Gen Kelly’s press interview on how fallen soldiers are handled after death) “why is America so divided?” The lady answered the same way I would have – because of the press. It seems no matter what side of an issue you fall – you are the worst villain since Hitler and Stalin rolled into one to somebody.
Why?
The people I talk to at work everyday, from diverse backgrounds and cultures, do not have a problem being civil to each other and to me. We may disagree with one another on some issues but we realize we are all in this together. It’s only when you introduce a catalyst – and a negative one at that – do we see respect and common sense go out the window. That catalyst is the media, conservative and liberal. There is no such thing anymore as journalistic integrity. Not that I see or read.
What to do?
Stop letting talking heads with an agenda steal your happiness. The world’s not as bad as they make it out. Hitler and Stalin are dead – and except for that madman in North Korea who executes people with anti-aircraft artillery – I don’t see their kind on the horizon. This is a great time to be alive. Act like it. Say hi to people on the street. Smile more. Love more. Hate less. Be happy. Abraham Lincoln once said, “Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be.” I reckon’ that’s true.