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1tristero1959
Will my books rescue me from the next four years? Will it be only four years? Will the age of anger persist?
3nemoman
Books can provide escape; however, I recommend living abroad. I lived in Germany for three years. During that period I was refreshingly isolated from American politics and politics in general. The European media were not that interested in American politics, and I was not that interested in German politics.
4bluepiano
Yes indeed, nemoman. In fact until I saw the first reply, I though OP referred to entering university for a 4-year degree. Living abroad alleviates the anger as well; I was well aware of campaign shenanigans & nasty outcome but being at a remove I feel myself a rubbernecker looking on with a weird mixture of glee & faint despair rather than being outraged, though perhaps that's as much due to aging as to living outside US.
5krazy4katz
>1 tristero1959: Well, it is certainly worth trying. I am doing that myself. I also wonder if the best way to get the news is through Saturday Night Live.
I am trying to read light books, such as The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Any other suggestions of light literature to take my mind off the election would be greatly appreciated. Living abroad is not an option as I need to earn my living here so that I can afford to buy books. ;-)
I am trying to read light books, such as The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series. Any other suggestions of light literature to take my mind off the election would be greatly appreciated. Living abroad is not an option as I need to earn my living here so that I can afford to buy books. ;-)
6.Monkey.
>5 krazy4katz: Well my own favorite choice for mindless distraction is Alistair MacLean, suspense-action books usually involving some sort of espionage & mystery, often with an amusing hero who snarks a fair bit. Lots of fun to be had. Agatha Christie is another who serves that purpose. I think the rest of my "fluff"-distraction books are more horror/darker suspense so I won't bother trying to suggest those, lol. Although maybe Jeffery Deaver? Murders, but while they're not "cozy" they're not too far over the line, I'd think.
7krazy4katz
>6 .Monkey.: Thank you! I will try some of those suggestions.
8LolaWalser
>1 tristero1959:
Hold on to your anger, it's well-earned, and can be--should be--harnessed to a good purpose.
Escapism has its place, but don't let it take over your life. Action actually helps far more in preserving sanity. It's when we act that we come alive. No matter how "small" an act, even if it's just a word, an e-mail, a tweet, anything that gives your opposition voice is precious. To others and to yourself. Really.
Hold on to your anger, it's well-earned, and can be--should be--harnessed to a good purpose.
Escapism has its place, but don't let it take over your life. Action actually helps far more in preserving sanity. It's when we act that we come alive. No matter how "small" an act, even if it's just a word, an e-mail, a tweet, anything that gives your opposition voice is precious. To others and to yourself. Really.
9Limelite
>8 LolaWalser:
Agree.
Read. Learn. Resist.
Attractive as the thought may be, we can't be the proverbial ostrich for 4 years and expect the horror to end in our "absence" in 2020.
Reading without action equals apathy. "Uncle Sam wants YOU!"
Agree.
Read. Learn. Resist.
Attractive as the thought may be, we can't be the proverbial ostrich for 4 years and expect the horror to end in our "absence" in 2020.
Reading without action equals apathy. "Uncle Sam wants YOU!"
10eschator83
You sound pretty much lost, but thankfully, hope springs eternal. Please advise, who said that? I'm hoping you and your friends will all take a long visit to somewhere you think is better. Would you consider one of the Arab countries, North Korea, Iran, Russia, China, Syria... Godspeed.
11krazy4katz
>10 eschator83: Unnecessary. We know our actions (and those of our president) here in the US affect ourselves and others for better or worse.
12.Monkey.
Lol what a lovely sentiment. Guess that "love thy neighbor" rule really hit home with you eh. Gotta love when people spread that "kind" christian sentiment around.
13DanieXJ
>10 eschator83: Yeesh
As for the OP's questions: >1 tristero1959: Have you read How to be great at doing good. I thought it was a pretty good book. (I've also found that reading the middle grade chapter books is quite a relaxing thing. I mean, each book takes me maybe a half an hour at the most, but, they almost all have very positive messages, and a lot of them are hilarious).
I also recommend a two fold solution. First, take a moment, or a month, or some time to be angry, to be scared, to be worried. And then look to your community. We don't have to all save the world in one fell swoop. Is there a soup kitchen you can volunteer at once a month, once a week. Do you have enough resources that every time you go shopping you can buy an extra can or two and give it to your local food bank. Are there organizations who help the elderly, or a phone bank that helps those who are having an even harder time. Or local affiliates like the Red Cross who help those impacted by natural disaster and fire and such. Things like that.
Yeah, there is gonna be a lotta strife, and a lot of big things happening at State and Federal levels, but, getting involved in your own community reaps the greatest rewards for the people you help as well as yourself.
Oh, and if you're (I am) one of those lucky people who probably could stick our heads in the sand for four years and get out relatively unscathed, use it, stick up for people who can't. If someone's getting flack for 'using the wrong bathroom' defend them, if someone is being harassed, whether it be because of their faith or skin color or who they are or who they love, defend them as best you can.
These next four years no matter who you voted for, no matter what your views are, we all have to be there for one another (actually, we should try to all do that for more than 4 years, but, 4 years is a good start).
As for the OP's questions: >1 tristero1959: Have you read How to be great at doing good. I thought it was a pretty good book. (I've also found that reading the middle grade chapter books is quite a relaxing thing. I mean, each book takes me maybe a half an hour at the most, but, they almost all have very positive messages, and a lot of them are hilarious).
I also recommend a two fold solution. First, take a moment, or a month, or some time to be angry, to be scared, to be worried. And then look to your community. We don't have to all save the world in one fell swoop. Is there a soup kitchen you can volunteer at once a month, once a week. Do you have enough resources that every time you go shopping you can buy an extra can or two and give it to your local food bank. Are there organizations who help the elderly, or a phone bank that helps those who are having an even harder time. Or local affiliates like the Red Cross who help those impacted by natural disaster and fire and such. Things like that.
Yeah, there is gonna be a lotta strife, and a lot of big things happening at State and Federal levels, but, getting involved in your own community reaps the greatest rewards for the people you help as well as yourself.
Oh, and if you're (I am) one of those lucky people who probably could stick our heads in the sand for four years and get out relatively unscathed, use it, stick up for people who can't. If someone's getting flack for 'using the wrong bathroom' defend them, if someone is being harassed, whether it be because of their faith or skin color or who they are or who they love, defend them as best you can.
These next four years no matter who you voted for, no matter what your views are, we all have to be there for one another (actually, we should try to all do that for more than 4 years, but, 4 years is a good start).
