Okay, so I’ve gone back and forth and back again on whether or not to write this, and if you’re running screaming right now, please don’t! I have zero interest in discussing foreign policy or Obamacare or global warming (okay, maybe I’d like to talk global warming, but my happy-little-hippy heart will refrain).
I’m not a particularly politically savvy person. I can admit, albeit with some serious shame, that my knowledge of the inner workings of the federal government is mostly relegated to School House Rocks songs and Scandal (*cough* HAWT *cough*). And, let’s be honest, the latter isn’t exactly the most reliable source of knowledge.
I’m not a political person, but I am a human being, and I’m bringing the election up because I’m worried about me and I’m worried about you. I’m worried collectively about all of us.
And the reason I’m worried is because I feel like we’ve been so overwhelmed by media coverage that is angry, sensationalized, and has the express purpose of fear-mongering. The degree of mudslinging and negativity is taking a toll on me (us, if I may be so bold). I feel stressed (more so than normal, ‘cause hey, I’m kind of a stressy lady to begin with), sad, and anxious. I’m finding myself more prone to snap, and I’m eating chocolate faster than my local Walgreens can stock it. Okay, so the chocolate thing is pretty standard, but the other things are new. *pops more Peanut M&M’s*
In my humble opinion, I, personally, have watched and read too much news; it’s inundating my Facebook feed, and it’s even invading the commercials during my escapism comedies. Not cool, election. Not cool. It’s everywhere. And it took me a couple of weeks of feeling this way to figure out the cause, but now that I know, I’m taking action!
I’m saying enough is enough and pulling the political plug. I realize this may not be for everyone; you may be saying, “But this election is crucial – so much is on the line! How can you ignore it?” And if you want to watch and listen and read, then I fully and fervently support your right to do so. I always will. But for me, I can’t. It’s too much. I’ve done my civic duty (I would argue privilege would be a more apt word) by voting and now it’s out of my hands.
So, I’m going to focus on the wonderful, positive things about this country. I’m going to reread the inscription on the Statue of Liberty. I’m going to flip through old vacation pictures and revel in the majesty of this country. I’m going to hug my family and my fabulous group of diverse friends. I’m going to make an apple pie and hang an American Flag outside my door and watch For Love of the Game or maybe Independence Day because, come on, who wouldn’t like a little Thomas Whitmore for President!?
I’m going to wallow in all the good here in the United States of America because I still believe, from the very bottom of my heart, that come next Wednesday, no matter the outcome, we will still be united. We will still be “one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and justice for all.”
And if you’re like me and need a little distraction from the election, might I suggest our Crazy Cat Lady Anthology? It’s nine awesome stories, some suspense, some paranormal, some erotic, some sweet, but all romantic and all offering at least a Happily For Now if not a full blown Happily Ever After! And it’s only $0.99 for a limited time!! That’s a lot of story for under a buck!
Amazon US – http://bit.ly/CCLAmzUS
Amazon AU – http://bit.ly/CCLAmzAU
Amazon CA – http://bit.ly/CCLAmzCA
Amazon UK – http://bit.ly/CCLAmzUK
iBooks – http://bit.ly/CCLiBooks
Nook – http://bit.ly/CCLNook
Kobo – http://bit.ly/CCLKobo
Goodreads – http://bit.ly/CCLGoodreads
And if you love my story, Sanctuary, you’ll want to go ahead and preorder the second part coming in December!
If you’d like to connect with me, here are some ways to get ‘er done:
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/SukiesNewsletter (Pssst: this one gets you my freebie Wicked originally from Delilah’s Hot Highlanders and Wild Warriors!)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sukiechapin
Twitter: @SukieChapin
www.sukiechapin.com
Email me!! sukie@sukiechapin.com
Contest
Because I want to “Pay it forward” a little during this stressful time and start a good juju chain, leave me a comment below with something that YOU love about our great country (or your great country, if you’re not in the USA), and I’ll pick one winner to receive a $5.00 Amazon gift card! (Bonus points if you pay this forward with a random act of kindness between now and Election Day!!) Let’s make people smile!!
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You are totally right, I’ve been saying I can’t wait for elections to be over to stop all of the craziness be thrown at us! I love that there are people who help people, look for, the smile, the door holder, the offer for help when you least expect it. We are a melting pot of people 🙂
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I love that we have such a range of cultures in one country. I love living in a country where I can chose to be anything I want to be. Thank you. 🙂
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What a great post and exactly how I feel. I no longer watch the news and pause my shows when political ads come on. technology is wonderful. I have visited many wonderful places in the United States. We bought the National Parks book and are trying to visit the sites listed. There are wonderful things to see. Thi summer we went to Monmouth Caves and The New River Gorge. Both were excellent and beautiful.
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I love that we each have the freedom to choose nearly everything in our lives in America. My motto is “Life is a series of choices”. Each one is up to us and I am trying to teach my 13 year old that each one has an outcome, some good, some bad, but the choice is yours, as is acceptance of the outcome. I hate the blame game where no one takes responsibility.
As for paying it forward, I am the kind of person that will pay for my cup of coffee and the guy behind me in the morning drive-thru. I hope to make his/her’s or their day a little brighter and maybe they too will remember and do something nice for someone along the way.
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I just want to maintain my freedoms…my inalienable rights! So I chose to remain in control of the channel changer…well at least for two more days….lol ????
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Thank you so much. I agree, enough is enough. I am looking forward when i can watch, read or look at my mail without being inundated.
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Hey Michelle, I totally agree! I’m from the South where talking to the people in the grocery line is still the norm! 😉 I’m probably way overly friendly, but you never know what that stranger on the street is up against and if that random smile from you might change their whole day! Thanks for commenting!
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Hey Misty, exactly! Kind of like what Michelle said with the melting pot, I love our diversity, too! Thanks for stopping by!
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Charlene, you just named my favorite Pay it Forward activity! I truly love this one because of its anonymity! In fact, I need to do this tomorrow! Thanks for the comment and the reminder!!
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Kim, that made me laugh! Yes, I absolutely understand! Hang on to that changer, lady! Thanks for playing!
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Hi Robin, yes! You took the words right out of my mouth! I never thought I’d say this, but I’m actually going to be relieved when I go back to hearing celebrity gossip! It may still be sensationalistic, but at least it (for the most part) doesn’t hurt my heart! Thank you for stopping by!
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I like that I am free to come and go as I please and say whatever I want without having to look over my shoulder.
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I love that people are allowed to speak their minds. I don’t always agree with it but that’s ok. We all have opinions.
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I kind of think that everyone seems to want to visit Australia, so we must be doing lots of things right.
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Thank you everyone for your responses! I loved reading what YOU love about our country!
Sorry this is so delayed – apparently I needed to come down with some sort of plague this week!
Debra G, if you see this, you’re my winner! If you could email me your email address at sukie@sukiechapin.com, I’ll get that gift card to you!