We get to try to choose our times

You don't have to buy what the sneaky cynics are peddling

The way some people talk, the only kind of times you should be having right now are “tough times.”

They make you feel like everything’s bad and only getting worse. Like you should insert some reference to “these times”—as if everyone agrees upon what that even means—in every conversation. Like you must qualify everything positive with a nod to the tough times we’re all supposed to be having:

It’s my birthday and while I feel bad celebrating during times like these, my boyfriend talked me into celebrating with dinner.

I saw these beautiful flowers and, given these times, thought I should share some beauty.

Let’s lift each other up through these times.

Sure, there are things that are concerning and hard and noisy and complicated and contentious. But to paint the whole entire picture with such a negative brush and to have this weighing on your psyche 24/7?

I’m wary of that kind of messaging and anyone peddling sneaky cynicism because of where it leads anyone who buys it. This may make me unpopular, but I’m of the persuasion that we get to choose (or do our best to try to choose) what kind of times we’re having, regardless of what’s happening or not happening around us…

…we get to choose what kind of times we’re having…

Sue me. Or join me. I hope the latter.

You’ve got a great life to be living and growing, people to help with kindness, and dreams to be building—regardless of the times we happen to live in—and you’re going to want plenty of hope in your heart to do so.

Here's to your big dreams, and to really living. See you in the next one…

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