There are no words.
I started this blog because I love to write. I started it to share my experiences in Asia—and how they changed me. In coming home, my blog has also turned to current events. At some point I may talk about religion; I do believe in God.
I chose the name Shift because I have come to see that life, for everyone, is a series of phases. Within each phase, any number of things can happen. Some of these things—a wedding, for example—are up to us; others, belong to “fate.” But no matter their cause, to each event, and to each phase, we must adjust. We must grow and change. We must adapt—for better, or for worse.
We have a choice.
While living abroad, I fell in love with humanity. I saw the good-hearted and the simple and the humble. I did not read the news. The news is full of terrible things. A humorous quote from G.K. Chesterton comes to mind:
It is the one great weakness of journalism as a picture of our modern existence, that it must be a picture made up entirely of exceptions. We announce on flaring posters that a man has fallen off a scaffolding. We do not announce on flaring posters that a man has not fallen off a scaffolding . . . Busy editors cannot be expected to put on their posters, “Mr. Wilkinson Still Safe,” or “Mr. Jones, of Worthing, Not Dead Yet.” They cannot announce the happiness of mankind at all . . . Hence the complex picture they give of life is of necessity fallacious; they can only represent what is unusual.
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And yet the news cannot be avoided. Events such as the Delhi rape blaze headlines. Some of life’s exceptions are horrible, and, though unusual, they are a part of us. They are our shame.
And what is there to say of love and peace and understanding when one does not feel safe walking across a parking lot, or boarding a bus?
This is not just India I’m talking about.
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And so I am silent.
And I wonder.
I look at the stars.
And I wait.
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What about you? How do you deal with current events in your life and writing? Do you ever feel overwhelmed, like me?
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(image credit: scienceblogs.com)
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shift 
Like you, I was SHOCKED that another woman was gang-raped in India not too longer after the tragic events in December.
How do I deal with current events in my life and writing? Generally I’ll try and give a voice to the situation. For the most part I feel powerless. I hate that these horrible evil things are happening and I’m not contributing towards change…
But you *are* contributing to change! Simply caring is very important, and your blog is beautiful. You have inspired me to pick up my Bible again. And that’s a good thing…
I know what you mean, though. We want to see visible signs of change, and this is harder to come by.
Thanks Jessica! I guess in our own way we’re trying. And yes, I want to see visible signs of change. Let’s keep stirring each other up!
Powerful. Somber. Balance is hard to find. Good, bad, beautiful, awful. Have to focus on both in balance. We do have a choice, not always easy. See the good, work to make the bad better. Keep writing Jessica, you make a difference!
Thanks, Dad. I try.
Agreed Jessica! You do make a difference. I find myself looking forward to your words.
I meant to say… Thank you, Terri! It means the world to me that you read my stuff!
Yes, “bad” news sells. You are right. And newspapers are always looking for “bad” news. I covered a story 20 years ago about a mailman who was attacked and shot the day he carried General Relief checks. He fought his assailant, dripping blood along a path of 20 yards. I went and saw the blood. But the story didn’t make the paper… because he lived…
Wow, that’s a terrible story. It didn’t make the paper at all? That’s horrible! It’s funny. Despite wanting to get into journalism school, I don’t really like to read the news… All of it just makes me cynical and sad.
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LOL!
I’m not sure I understand your “?s” but I’m glad you ended with an LOL! :) Thanks for your comments!
The ????s are for the comment that you don’t like to read news, but you like to write it. That seemed funny to me! I guess I was an avid newsreader. :)