It's Okay to Take a Break From The Tsunami of Doom

In Fact, Sometimes It's Advisable

As soon as I opened my eyes this morning I reached for my phone and perused the news. Which was a big mistake. Huge. Reading Heather Cox Richardson’s newsletter actually made me feel sick. And trying to process it before I had coffee in my system didn’t help either.

It could have the part about *CF Trump’s administration using old ICE photos to make it look like current raids. Or the fact that he called for CBS News and 60 Minutes to be terminated because Kamala Harris sounded too good. Harris came off as intelligent and cogent not because of editing or because she was fed answers ahead of time but because that’s who she is. AND TRUMP CAN’T STAND IT. Especially since every time he speaks he leaves anyone with half a brain astounded. “They’re eating the cats and dogs,” “She happened to turn Black,” etc., There is actually a coloring book titled “The 25 Dumbest Things Donald Trump Ever Said.” I honestly don’t know how someone could narrow it down to only 25.

The fact that he wants to get rid of real news while promoting fake news tore at the journalist part of my soul. Never mind the fact the whole freedom of speech thing is supposed to be protected by the Constitution. The same Constitution that’s being continually shat upon and misinterpreted by Republicans to promote their own agenda. I can hear the Founding Fathers rolling in their graves.

Then there is the dismantling of USAID. It’s predicted that millions of people, including hundreds of thousands of children will die without that aid which includes H.I.V. treatment, food, and water. Tell me again how Republicans are the pro-life party. It’s beyond cruel; it’s unconscionable. If you’re okay with that, I am not okay with you.

There was so much more that was just so mind-boggling, terrifying, and depressing that I started to feel like I was headed to a dark place. So of course I started looking at handbags online. After I had my coffee.

Sometimes it’s too much. We have to know when we’ve reached our limit.

Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath, starts tonight (Friday) at sundown. My oldest son is Sabbath observant- as an Orthodox Jew he does not travel, use electricity, or work from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. Which also means he gets a break from the tsunami of doom that’s been coming our way. I am more middle of the road when it comes to how I observe however, it might not be a bad idea to allow for a 24 hour pause on the news. Unfortunately, the bad news will still be there when Shabbat is over.

You don’t have to do more than you are able. And it’s okay to take a break when you need to. I’ve been reading again, something I don’t do as much as I should. I’m currently in the middle of “My Mama Cass” which was written by Cass Elliot’s daughter Owen. I also watched “Elsbeth” last night which I find thoroughly delightful. I’m anxiously waiting for better weather to arrive so that I can spend more time outside.

But for now, I will start to get ready for Shabbat. Shabbat shalom dear friends and have a great weekend everyone.

xo Marlene

*Convicted Felon