Hope in the storm

After 74 years on this earth, I have learned not do the "worry" thing as that puts me in a state of an infinite loop of frustration. 

Frustration leads to anger, a knee jerk reaction that no human can escape from. As a consequence, I need to spend yet more energy managing my intense feelings of anger. I think concern would be a better word and I am very concerned about the state of our world.

Instead, I choose to manage my anger in healthy ways by turning negative into positive.

I just came back from a 2 hour adventure, on my feet, with 3 pounds each around my ankles, to warm up my body as I am heating my house minimally this winter (15 Celsius). That way I stay in solidarity with Americas' Indigenous who are putting their lives on the line to save our water AND those who are forced to live in horrid conditions be it in war or as refugees from war. We need to keep fossil fuels in the ground and overall humanity is NOT listening as we drill for more oil and frack for more gas.

Today I made it to the top of our Dundurn Street, doing 300 steps up a 300ft escarpment. I got lots of fresh air, some exercise, enjoyed nature even though Climate Change has lengthened our warm season by a month on either side of winter.

I thought as I usually do, figuring out how to build that better world for ALL, long enough and well enough. My stair climb was a far cry from my last one a 3 months ago since painful gout and other circumstance took me out of commission for a couple of months. However, I am back at it again.

Never underestimate the determination of a women when she has a mission of helping all of God's children survive on this earth, well enough and long enough..

As far as I am concerned, I am just warming up to kick evil in the gizzard, not by fighting it in others but fighting it within myself..

By​ Marianne Van der Wel