When planning my topics for 2023, I identified the topic of “Troubled Times” for earlier in the year. Fortunately for me the year continues to have troubled times so I can still find something to write about.

The thing is that times are always troubled for someone somewhere. While we might like to have enough control to have an easy, non-challenging time in life, the reality is that the world can easily step in and throw a monkey wrench into the whole works. What works today may fail tomorrow, in spite of our best efforts.

What I am trying to learn is how to accept these troubles and to keep moving despite them. Which is not easy to do. Yet, whether I choose to accept troubles or push against them, they will occur no matter what.
Oddly enough I am finding it easier to relax and take things as they come, for the most part. I still complain, but my depression and anxiety are less than they were even a few years ago. I suppose that’s the next thing to work on, is reducing my complaints about events that cause me distress. I am all too human and years of habit have me complaining about those things that can’t be helped at the moment.

I don’t expect these troubled times to end quietly in the near future. But perhaps I can practice patience and dealing with them without so much worry because they will happen.