The world is a mess; society has lost it’s morals and are giving in to bullies. My personal “peace” is in jeopardy and I need to distance myself from some. It feels like chaos is attempting to surround my world; but, I do have the ability to keep it at bay. The power rests with me. Now, obviously I am not saying I can cure the world of it’s current ills; however, I can change how I react to it. This seems to be a recurring theme with me and I don’t believe I am alone.

So how do we clear the space, so to speak? In my mind, I feel distancing myself from the noise works best. Step away from podcasts, social media, news outlets (digital and print) and disconnect with the people that hurt you. I know this works. For some reason, I keep trying to stay and see if things improve. In my past experience, you can’t go back to some things and some people; you need to cut them out like a cancer. Now I only need to learn how to stick with it.

In life I tend to be a dreamer. I do not like conflict, I do not like lies, I do not like bullying, I do not like any kind of meanness. It sounds so silly and childlike; however, it is how I feel. When someone hurts me, it can cut deeply. I will show a strong front, but depending on the relationship and what was done, it may never be the same. Breaking up with media and digital social platforms won’t be difficult at all and it should give me back my sanity for a while. Toxicity exists in all of our lives and we have to root it out and do so for our own health and well being.

Both of my parents have passed, my mother just last year, and I talk to both of them to clear my mind almost every day. I know pretty much what their response would have been and I always feel better after a “heart to heart”. I felt very close to my mom and her insight and perspective on things had always been important to me and I miss those dearly. To close out the noise of the world around me, I put music on throughout my house and that lifts me right up and puts me in a happy place. Simple solutions. Things I can easily do.

For the long haul though, I need to figure out what I can do to make a difference. How I can contribute to a solution for the chaos around me. That is not an easy task, working toward solid workable ideas rather than offering a Band-Aid. A line from one of my favorite songs says it all for me, “I’d love to change the world, but I don’t know what to do, so I’ll leave it up to you”, except we can’t keep kicking the can down the road. I am hoping that by distancing myself, I will gain perspective and clarity and strength in my world again.

Be kind to each other and think before you speak; because honestly, life is short and sometimes there is no coming back.