A Perfect Thanksgiving Meal for 2020

I think it’s safe to say this year has presented us with many challenges, and few opportunities to celebrate. Thanksgiving is typically done with flair, for good reason because it starts the holiday season. This year will be a little different. Let’s say it’s been downsized. That’s a familiar word although not a pleasant one, but 2020 hasn’t been pleasant so the word choice is appropriate. 

     Many of you may be struggling on whether to have the traditional turkey feast with all the trimmings or shoot for a meal that would represent 2020 in a more real light. Whatever you decide, do it with gusto, it’s time we thumb our nose at 2020 and help escort this year and the events out of our life. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Is it time to worry?

Difficult times cause people to worry, but does worry really help. Some experts say worrying is healthy, even a sign of intelligence. There’s a whole list of benefits the experts list regarding worry, but when has worry ever solved your problems. 

     I agree that we all worry on occasion with regard to danger especially when associated with our kids, but I disagree with the so called experts that worry is a positive emotion. I don’t mean to be cavalier about how you live life, but continuing to live a full life is as important as safeguarding life. 

     Being cautious and worrying are drastically different. I believe in caution, I wear a mask and social distance, but I don’t avoid life. To me being cautious means you take the proper steps to minimize danger, but since I take those steps, I see no reason to worry.

     The news media promotes worry, but it mutates into hysteria. The daily news is happy to tell us how many deaths and new cases of COVID there are, but how often do they tell us the percentage of recovery? Balanced news reporting would be a welcomed change. 

     Rest assured, I wear a mask and social distance every time I’m in public, but I don’t avoid life and I don’t worry. If you do your best to protect yourself and others, there is no point in worrying. 

     I grew up in the 60’s when Mad Magazine was popular. The character on the cover was Alfred E. Newman and he had many sayings, but one was “What me worry?” That may contribute to my opinion on worry. “Just Saying . . .”

Choices that Matter

There’s a lot of controversy these days, some of it maybe unintentional, but some are intentional. I sometimes wonder why the group that promotes black lives chose the slogan Black Lives Matter versus All Lives Matter. 

     The undeniable truth is that black lives do matter but the phase excludes others. If the group had chosen the more inclusive phrase All Lives Matter they would have achieved their point by simply emphasizing that all lives are equal and matter in the same way. This to me seems to be a more positive approach, but then again it’s easy to look back in time and see a different approach. 

     Why is the choice of a slogan important? Simply because in today’s world people are easily offended. Many people chose to be offended rather than ignoring a verbal comment. It’s true some verbal comments are intended to offend, but many are just looking at the topic from a different perspective. 

     So my question is, what are the objectives of a group like BLM? I guess the easy answer is to emphasis  the importance of black lives. But, would they have changed their slogan if they knew some people would find it offensive or was it intended to offend. It’s up to each of us to chose whether we are offended. It’s true we have a choice.

     Black lives do matter, so I’m not offended by that slogan, but I think the message could have been worded in a more inclusive way. As always you can decide. “Just Saying . . .”