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Broken leg.

Photo copyright people.com

This morning I took an hour hike at Mt. St. Francis.  This always seems to be my home base, as it is located close to me, I’m familiar with the trails and I just feel at peace there.  Today I needed some peace.

I try my hardest not to get drawn into political rhetoric, but it is everywhere I turn.  I follow certain celebrities, athletes, photographers and musicians on various forms of social media.  I follow each person for a certain and personal reason.  If one of these people says or does something I disagree with, it is simple, I unfollow them.  I wish life was that easy.  If we could only unfollow people, media, topics that we didn’t like or agree with.

I have spent some time watching the Winter Olympics as I am a follower of a few athletes that are completing.  One such athlete is Lindsey Vonn.  Lindsey is considered “old” for her sport and has recently made an unbelievable comeback from her leg/knee injury.  This 33-year-old woman has had a host of injuries but keeps working harder and harder and has yet again qualified for the Olympics.  Her injuries have consisted of a broken right arm, fractures in her left knee, broken left ankle, a torn ligament in her right knee, a broken right leg, concussion, a bruised right shin, bruised left forearm, and a cut right thumb.  For most of us that would have done us in, but not her.

Lindsey recently posted that she would not go to the White House if invited.  I respect her decision as others have made that choice as well.  I am not a fan of Donald Trump.  What I read last night got to me.  Many people who support Trump were tweeting in this case of their pleasure, cheering and gloating that Lindsey almost crashed and finished 6th overall in her recent downhill ski race.  Below was a response for a fan of Lindsey’s and I agree with her.  What is wrong with our society?  Can’t we agree to disagree with others without degrading them, attacking them or glorifying their faults?

I just spent the last 20 minutes reading through tweets directed at @lindseyvonn. Sickened & disgusted once again by the lack of humanity that engulfs our country. She just raced her damn heart out & Trump supporters gloat/cheer/celebrate her inability to medal. Is this what we’ve become? – Julie Foudy (Twitter)

Now I know not every supporter of Donald Trump acts or thinks this way, but this is a reflection of society these days no matter who you follow.  It does not stop there.  I saw a rant on Facebook today blaming video games for the school shooting, Pro sports and pornography (lumped them together) for the evils of society (due to the money spent), and this person even mentioned abortion as a factor for the fall of our society.  As I do agree our society has taken a turn for the worse, I do not think many of the things mentioned are the causes.  This drives me crazy.

I had to get out.  I did.  I spent an hour all alone at Mt. St. Francis.  I hiked listen to the creeks, birds, geese, woodpeckers, and wind blowing through the trees.  This helped me clear my head, lower my blood pressure and relax.  I wish everyone had a pure clean outlet like I have found, and were able to use it, but most do not.  I think if they did the world may be a better place.

Today I witnessed a calm lake, a smoothly flowing creek, and a dam.  I saw nature go from cold and frozen to warm and vibrant today, in that course of an hour.  My spirit did the same.  I was frozen with anger and rage when I arrived and invigorated when I left.  Nature is my stress relief and I will hike as long as this old body lets me.

Until next time,

Tim

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