RESOLUTION

If a problem is fixable, if a situation is such that you can do something about it, then there is no need to worry.  If it's not fixable, then there is no help in worrying.   ~Anonymous

Worrying is overrated.  Yes, you should prepare.  Yes, you should think things through.  No, you should not make yourself sick worrying about all the things that are beyond your control.  Do your best.  Hope for the best.  Whatever the final outcome, that is the best that you can do to make it a success for you.

First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.

~ Pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the inactivity of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power and the purging of their chosen targets, group after group.

Speak out against injustice.  Speak out even though you blush, your voice shakes, and your body trembles.  Have the courage to speak your truth.

We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been — a place half-remembered and half-envisioned we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter, a circle of healing, a circle of friends, someplace we can be free.

~Starhawk

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

~ Dorothy Nevill

I failed in this today.  When faced with adults acting like snarky, overgrown four-year-olds, I called them out on their behavior.  I indulged in the tempting moment.  Pointing out the fallacy of their argument while using the same annoying tone they had used, strangely enough, did not cause either individual in either situation to back down.  To the contrary, to save face, each pressed harder into an even more ridiculous posturing position.  Statistically, that is what people do. 

Nobody likes to be talked down to, especially those who are condescending to others.  Nobody likes to be barked at, especially those who are known barkers.  There may be ways to connect with them, but it won't be by using their offensive qualities against them. 

As the saying goes, you get more flies with honey than with vinegar.  Today, when I received vinegar, I returned vinegar.  Tomorrow, I'll try to use more honey.

Pay attention to your thoughts, because they will become your words.
Pay attention to your words, because they will become your deeds.
Pay attention to your deeds, because they will become your habits.
Pay attention to your habits, because they will become your character.
Pay attention to your character, because it will become your destiny.
~The Talmud