Lots of wonderful things have happened since I posted last, but today’s news hit me like a wall, and I’m still struggling to comprehend it all. To be fair, almost none of this is “new” news, but it’s difficult to stay on top of the rest of the world with the daily onslaught of news about the massively volatile political state of our country. It’s easy to shelter yourself from the daily political updates, and carry on with life as if everything is normal, but we can’t afford to be comfortably naïve to what’s going on.

While I’m definitely not saying some news is more important than other news, I am only capable of reading so many articles in one day, and these are the ones that have really stuck with me.

Broken Men in Paradise – An article about refugees who are trapped on Australian islands with no hope of escape. I’m embarrassed that I immediately faulted Australians who live happy carefree lives while torture and abuse are happening within eyesight. I failed to realize that I am no better, and there are people in my country, my city, and my neighborhood who are living lives of fear and abuse. A different situation, no doubt, but enough to guilt me for placing blame. The next article is a perfect reminder of this.

Concordia, LA – One of the sickest counties in the U.S. – How is it the 21st century, and there are Americans living in absolute filth with no help from their government. Why on earth are we replacing water lines in wealthy neighborhoods when these people don’t even have functioning sewers? 

Goodbye Messages from Aleppo – This is heartbreaking to watch.

To everyone who can hear me!#SaveAleppo#SaveHumanity pic.twitter.com/cbExEMKqEY

— Lina shamy (@Linashamy) December 12, 2016

The White Helmets – A reminder that there are still so so so many good people in the world, fighting every single day for what’s right. This just shot to the top of my watch list on Netflix

 

 

Happier words to come, promise.