What Really Matters?

I would like to make a few jokes about why I haven't blogged in a while. I would like to poke fun at my crazy schedule and my needy students and all the grading and rabbit chaos (of which there is plenty).

Case in point

But I haven't blogged lately because I've been down, just kind of "bleh" and sad. While I keep this blog positive and lighthearted - while I never "fake my feelings" on here - I do tend to drop off the map when I'm overwhelmed, either by events or by feelings. I much prefer events to feelings. In case anyone (JESUS??) is taking notes. LOL.

In light of the election results, I definitely - definitely - did not plan to blog today. But look at me, sitting here drinking (an alcoholic) coffee, blogging.

I would not have been pleased with the election results either way. And I didn't exercise my incredibly privileged right to vote in the world's leading democratic nation. So, honesty up front and all that. I hope that our next president isn't a racist, sexist, narcissistic, money-grubbing a-hole. Many criticisms could be made of the other side, too. Many people hoped (myself included here as well) that our next president wouldn't be a corrupt, socialist, narcissistic, money-grubbing a-hole.

But.

A-peep's son calls Captain America "my merica." That's what I've started calling my country. Regardless of what I think of it, it's MY MERICA. And, yes, I know that this is Darth Vader and not Captain America. I write this out because, I swear, G would accuse me of not knowing the difference. Captain America has way more...muscles...than Darth Vader. If you know what I mean.

In addition to the election chaos, I'm lost in a world of my own feelings.

I handed out some anonymous surveys in class today and there were a couple of snarky comments. There always are. There were also lots of neutral comments and a few that were just stellar, just feel-good-all-day kind of remarkable. There always are.

But I'm so bleh.

The reason I'm blogging today is that whenever I'm tempted to ask, why does it matter anyway?, that is a signal that I need to process and reflect. Maybe you do, too.

So, in light of being an American, and in light of being a dedicated teacher, here's what really matters to me:

--I'm in the top, what is it?, 5% of the world's population that can read, write, and sustain my own way of life. I'm incredibly lucky to be a 21st century American.

--I was born with a right to vote and no one could have stopped me. I didn't vote. But I could have.

--As Nat King Cole says, Jesus is the true king anyways. And always.

But even beyond those big ticket items, it matters - whatever it is - because life goes on.

In all respects, November 9th is just like any other day. So was November 8th and so will be November 10th.

--Despite negative student comments, it has mattered that I have helped some people. Helped them become better writers or better students. Helped them prevent anxiety attacks and have room to grieve dead relatives and lost jobs and domestic abuse and drug problems. It matters that I have been nice and merciful and compassionate. That has made a difference. It has made the biggest difference ever, truly, when people have been nice and merciful and compassionate to me.

--The example that I set, for the people in my life, for the people I interact with, matters. Because God put them in my path. I'm not ultimately responsible for anything but myself. And how I treat myself (and others) matters.

 --A defeatist attitude steals joy and Satan loves that. If it didn't matter, we wouldn't be here to begin with.

--We won't be here long. Take that literally or metaphorically.

This isn't a gripe sesh or bait for compliments or even a venting sesh. This is simply a reminder for myself. And for you.

What matters to you? Like, really. I would love to hear from you.