Healing The Decades Behind Us
- Written by J.J.
Polls show that the majority of Americans believe the country is going in the wrong direction. For some, that perception has been consistent over Democratic and Republican administrations throughout the 2000's. Even for the ruling party dissatisfaction boils among a sizable minority. Given that, in January 2020, I wondered what would happen if we made resolutions to heal our cultural disatisfactions much like we resolve to improve our personal lives each new year. Little did I realize that 4 months into the year we'd be watching the horrifying death of a 46 year old black man restrained by police and begging for his life. That video unleashed a torrent of anguished protests in over 700 communities and triggered national and international discussions about racism in the criminal justice system. While there are many issues to solve that will improve our satisfaction with the national direction certainly reinforcing America's role as a country of fairness and "justice for all" will bolster our democracy and buoy our spirits. Would you agree? Recent polling shows America is ready to tackle that big issue. Only 7% of respondents over 55 years of age think racism isn't a problem. So, where do we go from here?
Older Americans Turn to Strengths During the Pandemic
- Written by J.J.
Aging is a gradual process of change that arms us with tools adapted to mitigating personal and external transformation. Covid-19 is causing us to open that toolbox, examine the contents, and learn their uses. Across America, as individuals and families are faced with disrupted community, older Americans are sharing their experience to provide balance and support. You've read about retired physicians and health care professionals coming forward to help our strained hospital system. You've probably also seen 79 year old Dr Fauci calmly steadying the shaky national response. Though initially fixated on preserving economic health above all else even 73 year old Donald Trump pivoted to face the crisis. His acceptance made it possible for most gubernatorial followers to initiate important, life saving preventative action for a time. In this blog I wonder how the contents of our toolboxes could help us stand strong against Covid-19.
Read more: Older Americans Turn to Strengths During the Pandemic
2019: Year In Review
- Written by J.J.
America was flooded with viewpoints in 2019. In fact, viewpoints may have overwhelmed facts causing some to say America is in a post-factual period. Bolstering that claim were more "fabricated facts" or claims of "fake news" and sophisticated technological manipulations that supplanted truth with truth-like fictions at increasing rates. AI photo creations, for instance, are now hardly distinguishable from reality and are used to spread viewpoints that seem to come from real people. That phenomenon, called "deepfakes" results in "disinformation" when misused and may be the biggest challenge to our fact based reality. That said, this review of 2019 has been diligently researched and facts included were corroborated by other trustworthy sources. As with anything you may detect a viewpoint but unlike "fabricated facts" or disinformation--- my goal is not to deceive.
In the 2 minute video above Suzanne Spaulding, Senior Advisor, Homeland Security, International Security Program speaks about the way disinformation attacks democracy.
A Christmas Carol as a Guide to Personal Legacy
- Written by J.J.
I love A Christmas Carol in part for it's comments on personal legacy. Have you considered yours? The shape of our legacy comes into focus by reviewing how we use our resources and what attitudes we hold toward life and our fellow man. If, like Ebenezer Scrooge, the story's main character, you haven't had time to fully consider how those attitudes and choices write the legacy you leave behind then these winter months are good times for reflection.
Art above by John Leech.
In A Christmas Carol, as you may recall, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts/spirits of Christmas past, present and Christmas yet to come. The sights they unveil prompt personal transformation by leading him to a deeper truth and stark encounter with mortality. The experience alters his legacy bringing joy into his final years. In this blog I wonder what past, present and future spirits might share with us in today's complex world and how they could guide us in building our legacy.