Moments after a press briefing on the pandemic, opposing views are heard. Pundits. Journalists for conservative publications, democrat or republican spokespeople depending on the party of the press briefing’s host. It is 2020, after all, and it’s open season on all people in leadership positions. It doesn’t matter if they are career professionals in a technical job, or an appointed director of a government department, or elected official. All are in the crosshairs of the enemy’s rifle scope.
Speaking of rifles, protesters are frequently shown walking beaches, storming state houses and capitals, and marching urban streets toting signs, flags, costumes and guns. Lots of guns, mostly rifles, some military grade assault weapons. They are visual to make a point of authority. Authority? You mean force?
Such does not define a ‘well regulated militia’ contained in the second amendment to the Constitution.
It does present a negative, however. And that seeds doubt. Questions of right and wrong, power and powerlessness, as well as authority and thwarting authority. A democracy allows questions always. So we see, hear and feel those questions daily during our life as Americans. During a pandemic, yes, there is doubt and negativity. But we witness this in all times, eras and challenge in America. Plenty of disagreement.
What’s missing is plenty of discussion time that is fairly monitored and fact-checked. Non-biased reporting and journalism relies on the publisher, the owner of the printing press, or the digital ISP service. What we get is bombast and opinion. No fact checking. Just tilt and whirl.
Even White House press briefings. Especially WH briefings!
Remaining positive in this sea of negativity is a challenge. But we do.
Most schools present positive. They build fact-based understanding of history, language, logic skills, math, and science. They study how these disciplines come together to form other disciplines and cultural substance.
Churches, synagogues, mosques and other houses of worship, provide faith-based positivity as well. Their theologies stress ‘otherness’, humility, and authority beyond mankind’s. They provide perspectives that focus away from man’s self-serving ego.
Artists shine with positivity. They have a message to relay that engages the mind and passion for life. Whether it is literature, music, poetry, playwriting, painting, sculpture, ceramics, sewing and fashion design, or architecture, the voice of art is present in our lives. Its reality cannot be ignored. It is there and shapes our feeling, our environment, and our thinking. Mood. Outlook. Creativity.
And invention. Why bother with inventing anything if there is no hope for the future? And that’s the precise core of positivity.
Some people naturally side with challenging problems. They think on what ought to be in its place. How can the problem be fixed or turned around? What can I do about this, we do about this?
Once the question is posed, the hunt is on for solutions. Whether a singular genius or a group effort, solutions are created. Invented perhaps is a better term for this process. Whichever term you prefer, a solution is forthcoming. Trial and error testing ensues and soon enough the problem is tamed and a solution applied.
It starts with hope. Not blame. Not fault finding. It starts with fact, moves on to understanding that fact, and envisioning what ought to be in the future. The real work is figuring out how to get to that desired future from where we currently sit with the problem.
That’s how we invented the car. How we traveled to the moon and back. How we created the international space station. How we invented the tidal wave of technology in our lives.
Hope. Positivity. Possibility. Potential.
Focus on that. avoid the opposite. Live with purpose and thrive!
May 8, 2020
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