“Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.” ― Voltaire

We all know the score. There’s no need to run down the list of affronts and miscarriages of justice. There is no need to tell us what is wrong with the world at all, for we too have eyes to see. We don’t have to add our miserable voice to the choir. The choir is at full strength already. Be a voice for hope and joy instead. It’s not naive or a head in the sand denial—it’s a beacon of salvation in the darkness.

We can be aware and still choose a life of purpose and vitality. Read something that doesn’t require a doom scroll. Turn on a joyful tune and dance. Go for a run, a hike or a ride. Swing something heavy around until the sweat stings the eyes. When our muscles are active our mind focuses on the task at hand, not the larger world that is out of our control anyway.

What will we remember most about today? Will it be some foolish thing an orange troll said or will it be some bit of magic we mine out of our available time? I say the latter is more essential, for it sparks life and kindles joy. Make a bonfire of delight or swim in the miserable soup the bastards made just for those who would consume it. That’s not for us, friend. We have bonfires and beacons to build.