We’ve Made It This Far (Let’s keep going and not give up!)

I am officially 30 today!

Unexpectedly, my overriding feeling today is one of accomplishment. Not about anything in particular, just about having successfully made it this far. Three decades of life completed! Yes!

Though I smiled to myself ironically as I said that to myself earlier, I think it really is a good attitude to have. We often get caught up in all these ideas of things we should do and become, not realizing that us just being who we are is already something to celebrate.

So, even though it’s most likely not your birthday today, I encourage you to celebrate yourself today! You’ve made it this far, and you’re still standing!

I invite you to join me on my journey. Adventuring isn't nearly as fun alone!

Collectively as well, I really think we should take a moment to just be positive. I know there are a lot of crazy, discouraging, and confusing things going on in the world. A lot of disagreements and yelling matches. But despite all that, I think taking a pause to simply be thankful for all the good stuff – and for simply being alive – is really a good call.

Here’s my reasoning why:

We can.

So Happy Birthday to me and Happy Whatever Is Going on With You Day to you! The sun is shining here today where I am, and I hope it is for you, too! If not, I hope it starts shining soon!

Okay, so a few hours after posting this,

I learned a bit more of the details of what is happening in the US right now with Trump and the immigration ban, and I feel a need to comment and amend my above statements.

It might still be a good idea to take a pause and just not focus on the bad. For a moment. That’s always a good idea. But, I don’t believe in apathy, in standing by silently on issues of injustice, whether they directly affect you or not.

So I just wanted to clarify:

We should not be burying our heads in the sand right now. I believe we should be intelligently, thoughtfully, and wisely engaging the current issues at hand.

I usually avoid controversial topics on this blog to a certain extent (though I was pretty straight-forward about my thoughts on the current president in this atypical post), and I don’t encourage or enjoy argument for the sake of arguing, but…

Some things need to be called out for what they are.

What is happening right now with green card holders being turned away, families being separated, and certain (unfairly) targeted groups finding themselves shipped off to other countries unexpectedly is something that demands an account.

I’m so thankful for the protestors, journalists, judges, corporations, and others who are striving to bring that accountability. I’m glad President Obama spoke out in support of the protests. It helps me sleep at night knowing these things are happening.

I still don’t know as much as I should.

I want to continue educating myself and pursuing what avenues I can to be involved from afar. But for what it’s worth, I am committing myself to not giving up. Whatever happens, no matter how powerless I may feel at certain moments, I don’t want to disengage or choose apathy.

I choose to care.