Maybe it has been the last couple of days with how some things have been going. Maybe it has been the last few boxes of photos sorted through and stumbling upon various memories. Maybe it has been foolishly tuning in to certain news stories, shaking one’s head in utter disbelief and/or frustration. On the latter, now I know why one colleague says she never bothers with the news, televised, broadcast, or printed.

Why I recall some protestations surrounding the idea of “This is Such-and-Such History Month” or “All focus should be on This-and-This Month” I cannot help but agree with the reasons why some would disagree with how February is listed, if one were a ‘proper educator’ keeping up with what is to be known.

Major digression, but I browsed through the chosen book of the month and settled on the following verse: Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

If one were to take that to a global setting, the question to ask would be ‘Is it possible to bring peace for those many countries still torn apart by war?’ On a national level, how many more major cities will struggle, states shake and conflicts reach the crescendo as seen in Wisconsin? On a local level, what is happening in your home town?

I have to remember, to remind myself to try and start with that bigger picture before the headache begins with the narrow selfish look. One of the many words of advice I recall being told to me or my classmates was ‘Kill them with kindness. It confuses them.’ Granted, in elementary school, the very idea confused us. In middle school, it was a sure fire way to create more conflict, not quell it. In high school, it was the perfect way to rebel against certain peers.

Now? How easy is it to let one person’s bad mood infect one’s own? How does one help the individual projecting, targeting, venting? Silence works best, in not adding the wrong chosen words to the verbal fire. Then again, is that avoidance, affirmation or something else entirely?

May I be guided in what I can and what I need to do during times such as these.