I want to be perfectly honest here. I really don’t want to write anything today but I made a commitment. I’d rather watch "Adventure Time" and forget that I live in the real pre-apocalypse world.

This has been a difficult summer so far. Although I generally try to be upbeat and positive when I’m dealing with people, it has become increasingly difficult. I used to be funny (at least I thought I was), but in the midst of personal events, political issues, mass shootings, fear mongering and various other human tragedies I am left in a difficult position. Of course I have a point of view on each of these events and a personal belief system that dictates those feelings. However, many other people have differing views and beliefs. Some people are so Zen and cool and they just aren’t bothered by opposing POVs. I try to be that person, but in some instances it becomes really frustrating. How many people have to die before we at least try some common sense gun regulations? (No, I’m not talking about taking everyone’s guns.) How long do we watch a corrupt political structure and tolerate being forced in every election to choose a candidate based on “the lesser of two evils?" How long do we ignore a broken prison system and insane economic inequality? How do we determine value and worth? These are only a few of the things on my mind. Where does it end?

In his book “Saving Capitalism” Robert Reich says, “...the notion that you’re paid what your “worth” is by now so deeply ingrained in the public consciousness that many who earn very little assume it’s their own fault. And those who earn vast sums assume they must be extraordinarily clever, daring and superior. In reality what one is paid is increasingly due to one’s power or lack of power to make the rules by which the economy functions.”

Power. How we function revolves around the concept of power. Some people like having absolute power, some would like to see shared power. It is a struggle that has been and I imagine always will be. And since I read the aforementioned quote, I have been sad. I just can’t grasp why some people have such a high monetary value and others can’t afford to eat. Sometimes it may be about an unwillingness to work for things, but not as often as some tell us. A lot of things have to do with advantages and opportunities and not everyone has them. I know, I live in a wealthy suburb with a great school district, while in the city 15 miles from me there is talk of closing the high schools because of lack of funding.

At my own dinner table I watch brothers and sisters fighting over trivialities. I argue with people, because I want them to understand where I am coming from. What I really want is peace, but I don’t know how to attain it. I come back to the same theme: two things I can control, my choices and my reactions to life.

I still don’t feel like that is enough or like it will make a difference. But I am working on it. Who knows? Maybe it will make some small difference someday. I also watch a lot of Adventure Time because that helps, and as the fabulous BMO says, “When bad things happen, I know you want to believe they are a joke, but sometimes life is scary and dark. That is why we must find the light.”