Reality

When looking at the big picture, reality is global. What we do will have an effect on other people in other countries. Our economic crisis proved that. What other people in other countries choose to do will have an effect on us. Cuba, Mexico, Pakistan, North Korea, China, all prove that. Still, no matter what does or doesn't happen, the worst thing we can do is panic. Swine Flu proved that.

So what do we do now? Well, first thing on my list, is pray. I pray to God, to the Universe, to whatever powers that be that might be listening. Hope requires faith of some kind and I have a lot of hope. Second thing on my list, is to take care of my own personal medical needs. If I want to be useful, then I have to be at least moderately healthy and moderately clean. What we all need to be doing now is paying attention to our own realities without fear.

I've noticed that the media uses fear to make money. I've stopped watching my local news. I don't think criminals deserve to have their names broadcast in my home. I don't want to be suportive of murderers and rapists. I don't want to be a part of their 15 minutes of fame. But that's just me. I still watch the world news. I want to keep up with what's going on in my country. But I have learned that there is such a thing as watching too much television news, so I limit myself to thirty minutes per day.

Reality is that I've got a guy that's getting paid to pay attention to the big picture for me and his name is Barack Obama. He doesn't look scared. Looks can be deceiving. That's why I keep an eye on him. He does, on occasion, get mildly annoyed with reporters. I guess that's one thing he and I have in common.

Reality's not as bad as it looks or seems. Not when you have hope, mixed with a little faith, and some self-respect thrown in for good measure. I hope I live long enough to watch my grandchildren grow up. I have faith that whatever is meant to be will be. I respect myself enough to not want to live my life in fear.

People who use fear to manipulate other people are by definition, terrorists. I don't want to be a terrorist and I don't want to know any terrorists. Just knowing that they exist inspires me to pray. People in other countries are not as fortunate as I am.

Reality is, no matter how bad things might be for people in our country, just about everybody here has it better than a lot of other people in several different countries. Reality is I live in America. I am very lucky. I just hope I remember everyday to be grateful for that.

Copyright © 2009 Annette Fortunato

This content may not be copied or reproduced in any way without the express written permission of the author. You are welcome to link to or bookmark this page, but please contact the author via E-Mail if you wish to reproduce this article in whole or in part.