We made it to February. We can all expel a sigh of relief. We tried on January and for many of us it did not fit, and so we tossed it aside. Seriously, have you noticed how tense and ill-tempered people have been since the beginning of the year? If the new year was supposed to usher in a new beginning, we want a do-over. Everywhere we have gone in town recently, people have seemed cranky. Why?
We were with a group of parents waiting to pick up our son from school early because of the snow on Tuesday. We asked of those huddled together if they thought people were angrier than usual. They all said yes. One parent quickly added that it didn’t matter what side of an issue you were on or whom you voted for in the election, people just seem angry. “Cheer up,” we quipped, “it’s Super Bowl weekend, so we can at least make tome to gather with friends!” Two parents literally started arguing about Tom Brady.
It is possible the anger we are sensing, feeling, and emoting is a by-product of the recent presidential election. We all witnessed presidential campaigns unlike any we have seen before. Because we lived with the campaigns’ rancor and hyperbole for such an extended period of time and the fear that came with them, it is as if that has become our default setting. Our anger is quick to rise, and with it judgment. We are not blaming one campaign or the other. And we are not saying that nothing good came from the election; more citizens are involved and speaking up in our democracy than in a very long time. We are all for an end to apathy and an increase in healthy debate.
Disagreeing with someone is fine, necessary, welcome even. Talking over them in a louder voice than theirs is something we learned on the playground as children is not an effective debating skill. We are advocates of finding what unites us first and agreeing on the destination and then looking at how to get there. It is more typical that we agree on the end destination, like educating all children, and disagree on how best to make it happen.
Let’s get back to respecting what makes us different, our opinions, beliefs and traditions. Let’s respect one another as human beings. Let us dial down the rhetoric and judgment, and see one another for who we are: neighbors, friends, parents, children, members of our community.
These next few weeks should be a fun time of the year. Yes, the Super Bowl is this Sunday (go Pats!). It is a great excuse to gather with friends, eat football food and hopefully watch a great game. Of course, if the game is not your thing, then you can watch what are sure to be fun and entertaining commercials.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner as well. If there is a significant other in your life, or you simply want to pamper yourself, then you cannot go wrong with flowers or chocolate or a beautifully written sentiment.
The following weekend is President’s Day weekend and many will have a day off from school and work. It’s a weekend when many leave town for warmer climates or winter adventures up north.
February is a good month to try on and see if it fits. If it does not fit immediately, don’t simply toss it aside. Make small adjustments until it fits nicely, snugly. Reboot. Start your happy new year all over again.
The British poet Alfred Tennyson wrote: “Hope Smiles from the threshold of the year to come, Whispering ‘it will be happier’…”
