Let’s lay down the fiddles

Who needs to go see a horror movie when the evening news is free?  The rising prices for groceries, gasoline, housing, and other essentials are frightening. Mother Nature is unleashing her fury with heat waves and floods. Many experts warn that AI is becoming unmanageable and could pose serious risks by the end of the decade. Wars are ongoing, alliances are fraying, and outbreaks of measles are occurring.

We often wonder why Christmas decorations start appearing on store shelves in July and are fully stocked by Labor Day. We question why 90s fashion has made a comeback and why people are searching through thrift stores for vintage items.

Since we can’t control rising prices, the effects of Mother Nature, and the conflicts around us, many of us choose to escape to another time or celebrate Christmas early. People are trying various ways to alleviate the anguish and uncertainty of the present day.

Last week, Congress adjourned until November. It seems fitting to say that the phrase “Nero fiddled while Rome burned” might apply here. Perhaps our elected officials are eager to get home and set up their Christmas trees. Maybe they’ll even wear their retro green-and-red rugby shirts while hanging ornaments! According to their leaders, Congress has recessed to focus on their campaigns. But is winning an election more important than addressing pressing issues? 

And then we wonder why AI could potentially replace human decision-making.

Many folks have finally chosen to stop listening to or reading current news because they don’t want to hear about the negative events happening in the world. However, I worry that when floods and fires start to threaten their homes, they will not be prepared to face the danger because they have chosen to escape reality.

Yes, sometimes in life, we are forced to confront difficult circumstances, even when reality feels overwhelmingly impossible.  However, we must face these challenges for the sake of our children’s future.  I hate to say this, but I think their parents and grandparents (in other words — us) have created a mess. Maybe before we leave this world, we need to be courageous enough to take responsibility and make things right.  We can’t accomplish this until we pick up our brooms and start working together.  

How do we start?  

When winning becomes more important than doing what is right, that’s when America suffers.  This mindset starts early, from children playing in Little League to adults playing in Congress. We tend to emphasize winning more than we focus on doing the right things to win. Until we change our concept of victory, we will continue seeing flames. 

Restoring trust in our democratic institutions goes beyond simply winning elections. It requires independent courts, a Congress that can effectively oversee the executive branch, respect for election results, a free press, and government officials who understand the limits of their authority. These issues are important and deserve serious attention, regardless of political affiliation.

A divided nation poses a significant problem when we begin to harbor hatred toward those who disagree with us. This division occurs when we distrust opposing viewpoints while being willing to accept dishonesty from our own political side. No country can maintain its health if its citizens view one another as enemies.

Understanding the impact of rising prices on families doesn’t require an economics background. When people struggle to afford necessities, they become more susceptible to fear, anxiety, and political manipulation.

America has spent decades developing alliances and international relationships. We are not just a military power; we are a trustworthy nation. We cannot afford to lose all that we have gained by extending olive branches and fostering understanding.

It would be wonderful to turn back to the 90s and see my children stepping into college, full of dreams for their futures. However, today my grandchild is graduating from college, and she deserves to have a bright future. She should be able to pursue her dreams without fear of losing her life or freedom. She deserves our fiddle players to become firefighters.

I could celebrate Christmas all year round. I’ve loved the holiday my entire life, but my perspective on Christmas may be a bit different. I believe that a solution to many of our problems is found in the essence of Christmas. Beneath the glitter and bows, and next to Santa at the mall, there is a solitary figure that often goes unnoticed.

Christ is the heart of Christmas, and perhaps that’s who we need to return to. He embodies kindness and is where peace begins anew. Within God’s words, there is a call to do right by one another, which will ultimately strengthen our nation.

Let’s lay down the fiddles and pick up the hoses. The world has enough horror. What we need now is a little more humanity.

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Lynn Walker Gendusa began her writing career as a columnist for the LaGrange News. Today, her essays are featured regularly throughout Georgia and Tennessee. She can be reached at www.lynngendusa.com. For more of her inspirational stories, click here.