Time to Live in a Snow Globe?

Don't believe everything you read on the Internet.
Abraham Lincoln

by Skip Cohen

​This is the third time I've started today's Sunday Morning Reflections. I didn't have a topic to write about. The world is a mess, and out of chaos come more opinionated people who share both positive and negative news, but at least half the time, it's fake. We rarely see anything truly earth-shaking that we actually believe to be true. From using Snopes to Google searches for repeats of the same stories, it's the only way we're able to get at the truth... and even that's subject to challenge.

We do, however, watch the weather and travel reports, since Mother Nature is never without integrity! And it's obvious, we've finally pissed her off. Our hometown in Ohio is covered in snow with hazardous driving conditions, yet here in Sarasota, the only danger on the road is the nonstop old farts driving at 11 mph with their left-turn signal on!

There are so many of you traveling today. The government shutdown and its impact on the FAA and air traffic control now pale in comparison to weather challenges and Boeing's recall to update the software on thousands of jets. As Roseanne Roseanadana used to say, "It's always something!"

Despite this being the weekend from Hell for travel, there is a certain wonderful peace this time of year. But to appreciate it, you have to shut off all the negative noise in your life and stop listening to all the negators out there. It's not easy to do...you have to think of yourself as living in a snow globe!

The reality is, tomorrow is December 1.  If each of us stop a few times a day, turn down the volume outside the snow globe, and count our blessings, it just might make a difference for everyone. A few times over this past Thanksgiving, I've talked about being grateful...well, it's something we all need to do more often. We need to be thankful that thorns have roses, rather than lamenting that roses have thorns.

And there it is - today's point. I'm tired of all the Chicken Littles out there constantly in need of telling me the sky is falling. Yes, it's true, it really is... but life is not a dress rehearsal, and the only one we've got. I'm not suggesting you stick your head in the sand (or elsewhere)...just take the time you need to slow down worrying about what you can't control. Stop being the neighborhood alarmist and live the best life you possibly can with whatever you've got to work with.

Wishing everybody a terrific day ahead. If you're traveling, do your best to be patient. The reality is you're going to make it home eventually, and years from now you'll be able to tell your kids or grandkids about travel in 2025 and what brought you to the decision to stay home next year! And about those eleven-second hugs - everyone needs one, so give them out to anybody you think is in need!

Happy Sunday... or Monday... and stay safe, warm, and patient.