A Topsy-Turvy Time

Dear Friends,

What a topsy-turvy time emotionally in our country with way too much anger and hate floating around.  As a psychotherapist I’m seriously concerned about personal mental and emotional health. Anger raises blood pressure, constricts circulatory vessels, creates inner stress, releases cortisol, ages us. Bad stuff!

How can we eliminate this anger and frustration?  Knowing history helps. I’m blessed by currently reading the Old Testament, which helps me keep kings and rulers in perspective: they come and go.  Studying other periods of history is equally helpful.

What also helps me is researching current issues and making up my own mind. For example what Trump did re: immigration is similar to what Bill Clinton advocated in his 1995 State of the Union to applause. Obama himself picked the seven nations under scrutiny. Muslims from other countries were not blocked. This was not anti-Muslim or a religious ban! Just one small example of how changeable politics can be. I urge everybody to study both sides, do your own research and form YOUR OWN OPINION based on facts.  

My experience of being hit by an illegal on my daughter Pam's birthday, August 8, 2015 formed mine. Her car broadsided me when she failed to stop at a stop sign going 35 mph and ran right into my passenger side as we drove the speed limit 45 mph. She was nicely dressed, Hispanic, around thirty, driving a nice car, but had no driver’s license and no insurance. Waiting for the ambulance to take me to the hospital, she stood unhurt less than ten feet from me but never inquired if I was hurt or apologized. Fortunately there were eye witnesses. The woman seemed disdainful and annoyed she was being detained. 

I spent the next year in physical therapy and chiropractor sessions, couldn’t play golf for a year, have not played in my tennis league since and still must do half an hour of back exercise every morning to avoid debilitating back pain. Even so, I am never completely pain free.  It took over two months to repair our car. The woman who ran into us received two citations and was ordered to court for a third violation she never showed up for or paid. This was her second offense. I received no compensation for any of my expense, trauma or time lost from my life. The police and insurance company tried to contact her but she disappeared. We are a nation of laws and have a generous immigration program –how I wish this person had come here legally, gone through driver’s ed training and lived by the laws designed to keep us ALL safe.

LOVE AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS is always right and just. Isn’t it sad what’s happening –relationships between friends and colleagues are fragmenting. This is so wrong and unnecessary. We’re to respect every individual, listen and discuss different viewpoints kindly. Each person can respectfully present personal ideas. To withdraw from discussion with family and friends isn’t love or helpfulness, but a self-centered need to be liked, or agreed with rather than connect in a healthy way. We can commit ourselves to avoid foolish arguments,  and CIVILLY agree to disagree.

I LOVE YOU if you hate Donald Trump or if you like him. I hope you can still like me if I like him.  Jesus is on the throne, not any political leader. We can stay calm, breathe deeply, and relax. What a relief!

These biblical principles in Romans 13 apply. (The Message) 1-3 Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear…Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.

Writing and Speaking Update: I have a big chunk of time for writing this month and next. I’m working on my next mystery novel, Shattered Trust. Then back to my speaking with 18 events between April and the end of the year. It’s going to be fun meeting the delightful Christian Women’s Connection gals in WI, IL and MN –Wayne enjoys being my chauffeur. You may recall I’ve had macula hole surgeries and can’t see signs well enough to drive on unfamiliar roads.

February Offer: If you’d like to receive Tommy Smurlee and Dunster’s Camp of Mystery and Inventions http://amzn.to/2kPYFyd my inspirational mystery fantasy for boys and girls ages nine and up as a gift ebook in exchange for an honest review please send an email to my address jwrolfs@gmail.com.  The book is being launched with a new cover and needs reviews on amazon and Goodreads. The first fifteen people will be selected.  Thank you in advance.

When all else fails, there’s nothing like a dog to bring you peace and calm. We need more dogs in the world!