I’m tired. I can’t watch anything more about the election. I can barely look at my Facebook feed. There’s too much anger and hatred being thrown around. Even posts in support of a candidate are full of vitriol and sarcasm. Have we as a nation always been this angry, and I’m just seeing it for the first time? Or has something changed in how we conduct ourselves in a presidential election? I don’t know the answer to that, but I’m done. For the next three weeks, I’m turning it all off. I will vote, but I can’t watch this circus-like hate show any more.

I’m not going to read about or talk about or think about the election until election day. Instead, I’m using the next few weeks to start planning the new year. What will my goals be for the year? What races might I want to do? What trips might I want to take? Which friends might I want to see? What books might I want to read? What television might I want to catch up on? What in my life needs to be stirred up a bit? What am I holding firmly to that I need to release? How can I make things better?

I want to fill my head with good thoughts – plans, dreams, and visions of afternoons nestled with Bread and Butter, either watching television or with a book in hand.

Kittens. Rainbows. Smiles. Laughter. Shared cups of coffee. Walks in the neighborhood. Hikes in a state park. Long runs with friends. Homemade dinners. Board games. Puzzles. A clean house. Writing. My line-a-day journal. The sound of dryer. Calm. Calm. Calm. Sleep. Being rested. Being well.

[Sigh] I feel better already.