Unlocking Doors

Daylight breaking through the dark and fog over a Florida pond.

As of mid-December, I am unemployed for the first time since I was 15 years old. It's a whole story and I'll get into it another day.

For now, I am pausing to comment on current events. Today, in the Oval Office, the president of the United States argued with the president of Ukraine on live television. He lied to him, didn't listen to responses, interrupted, and made disconcerting remarks about the potential survival of the Ukrainian people.

As I sit here with ridiculously little to do each day, I am pondering the ways I can make the world a better place and avoid the destruction of the stated ideals of America (per the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution).

• I'm spending little money at the moment (with gratitude to my parents who have taken me in during my employment search), though I can certainly make changes to how and where I do my purchasing moving forward.
• I'm recycling what I can, driving almost never, and trying to be conscientious about my electricity and hot water usage.
• I'm here as a support and ally for those who are impacted by all these shenanigans in Washington, and I am documenting this moment in history because it is - at least in my lifetime - unique.

A fabulous human shared a quote with me today about keys (which will make the most sense to those who attended my paternal grandfather's funeral):

"Legacy is not about the number of keys on your keyring, but the number of doors you unlock for others."

During this time of career pause, I am going to focus on refreshing this site and sharing all of the truly fabulous and beautiful things there are about America as I have witnessed them. I'll also be taking time to express the value of saving these treasures and the spirit behind them. I'm going to pause each day to talk about something I am passionate about - something worth saving or remembering or celebrating. I cannot shake the darkness descending on our world, but I can be a flashlight and unlock doors.

Keep coming back.