I am a political junkie – I admit it. I like to know what goes on around the world around me whether in pop culture, world, US or local politics. I gotta know what is happening because I don’t want to live in a bubble. You could say I am the Gladys Kravitz of news. I try and share pieces of the news with my kids that I feel they should know about. Of course, in versions they can relate to without causing them to lose sleep at night. I certainly don’t tell them that if they don’t recycle every piece of lint in their pocket, they will cause global warming and the world will explode. You get my point right? Back to the title….

Do I have issues? who doesn’t?
Does my head often spin around when my kids drive me insane? Yes and green slime spurts out of my mouth too.
Do I think the world is a perfect place? hell no.
Do I think there is a perfect place to live? YES my home with my family – wherever we are!
Is there a point to this post? yes I have one – I started with the title after all & haven’t even had a beer tonight!

I think that listening & reading the news all the time can be as depressing as a James Taylor song. But, it is a necessary to help us live and function in society today (unless you live in a bubble society with my friend Jenny-lol). And here is the kicker to this post – you have the power to either be Debbie Downer or not. I’ll give you 2 choices:
A: live on your own personal miserable grumbling train
B: get on or stay on the positive make a difference train!

Lighten up world – lighten up New Orleans (the target of this post). The grass isn’t always greener (as my other positive newbie friend and I discussed today)!

I leave you with a couple of quotes that sum up my life philosophy and hopefully yours (if not – I can be as contagious as TB – watch out).

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
~John F. Kennedy, Inaugural address, January 20, 1961~

If you ever need a helping hand, you’ll find one at the end of your arm. As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
~Audrey Hepburn~

I have become my own version of an optimist. If I can’t make it through one door, I’ll go through another door – or I’ll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present.
~Rabindranath Tagore~

If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.
~Mary Engelbreit~

cross-posted at NOLA.com – in the back of the very back section somewhere (hint NOLA.com) or click here