The Struggle for the Soul of America: Dealing with the Times That Try Our Souls

Posted on July 28, 2023 by Author: Bruce Berlin

We are living in very stressful, dangerous times. Record-breaking temperatures, massive wildfires, attacks on our democracy, escalating gun violence, states eliminating the right to an abortion, the threat of another pandemic, the growing possibility of civil war, rising antisemitism, discrimination against people of color, and the list goes on.

Some of us can’t bear to watch the news anymore and feel there’s nothing that can be done to help prevent or alleviate the disasters in the making. Others volunteer with political or social services organizations, and/or make donations to these groups. Nevertheless, dark clouds continue to hang over our nation. Regardless of what we do or don’t do, it just seems to be getting worse. Is there no way out of the mess we’re in?

I don’t claim to have the solutions we are seeking, but I’d like to share how I cope with it all in the hopes that it will help others who are feeling dispirited.

First and foremost, I try to keep a balanced perspective. The news isn’t all bad. Here’s some good news. Inflation is down and the economy is improving.[1] More young people are concerned and getting involved in public life, voting, and social issues.[2] Last year Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, the biggest climate bill in U.S. history. According to the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, it was “a really big deal.”[3]

Next, I explore how I can realistically make a meaningful contribution toward improving our situation. I feel it’s important that I keep up with the news about what’s happening in my community, my state, the country, and the world. Writing this blog is my way of sharing my perspective on current events and encouraging others to get involved in the issues important to them. I also contribute what I can to causes and candidates I believe in. And, I plan to get actively involved in the 2024 elections by the end of this year.

Additionally, I participate in a regional effort, the Mora/San Miguel Justice 40 Council. We are a group of concerned citizens helping to access federal funds for community-driven projects to improve environmental justice, climate resilience and address the impacts of the 2022 Calf Canyon/Hermit’s Peak fire and flooding.

At the same time, it’s vital that I maintain a balanced lifestyle. I hike and spend time in nature. I hang out with friends. I’m in a men’s group that meets regularly and I attend larger personal growth gatherings. I’m writing a memoir, go to a movie or concert once in awhile, and travel a little. And I make time to just relax and be with my partner, Margaret.

But what counts the most is my attitude. As best I can, I try to maintain a positive outlook. Someone once said, “Attitude is 90% of the game (of life).” I can see the glass as half empty or half full. And, there’s really no value in worrying about the things I can’t do much or anything about. In fact, worrying is bad for one’s health.[4]

So, that’s how I soothe my soul and mostly maintain my equilibrium in these troubling times. I hope you find what works for you as well.

Bruce Berlin

A retired, public sector ethics attorney, Berlin is the author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America (See breakingbigmoneysgrip.com.), the founder of New Mexicans for Money Out of Politics, a former U.S. Institute of Peace fellow, and the founder and former executive director of The Trinity Forum for International Security and Conflict Resolution. He can be reached at breakingbigmoneysgrip@gmail.com.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/. Join the movement to revive our democracy. Together we can save the soul of America.

[1] https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-gdp-report-economic-growth-92482437?mod=automatedsf_trending_now_article_pos3

[2] https://circle.tufts.edu/latest-research/youth-are-interested-political-action-lack-support-and-opportunities

[3] https://citizensclimatelobby.org/inflation-reduction-act/utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=inflation-reduction-act&gclid=CjwKCAjwq4imBhBQEiwA9Nx1BpSvW3rPL7JlVlPQQDdUQofgWAqHU4HFmbe9-pKScH13GC_H8y2EARoCtG0QAvD_BwE

[4] https://www.psichi.org/page/214EyeSum17aLlera?gclid=CjwKCAjwzo2mBhAUEiwAf7wjktPzcUTX4VYZDFnxyXxdM3zVOi1-pdCjlcWXemIVPWdbg4ilOFt6rRoC4UoQAvD_BwE

The Struggle for the Soul of America: A View from Afar

Posted on April 2, 2022 by Author: Bruce Berlin

It’s another beautiful morning in paradise. I’m sitting alone on the beach in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. Tiny waves create a recurring rhythm as they roll ashore just 20 feet in front of me while a gentle sea breeze embraces my entire body.

I feel very fortunate to be here, so calming and reassuring. At the same time, on the other side of our planet, Ukrainians are being mercilessly killed as they desperately attempt to save their homeland from a senseless Russian invasion. Many millions more are suffering all over the world from hunger, disease, natural disaster, and armed conflict.

In our own country, people are struggling to save democracy. The Democrats are having great difficulty providing what the vast majority of Americans want due to a recalcitrant minority who can’t or refuse to accept the core principles of our nation. They don’t get that universal forces have brought us together from all over the globe, a diverse people from many different countries, races, religions and backgrounds all yearning for the same thing: a better life with “liberty and justice for all.”

Unfortunately, Americans have very different ideas of what that means. Some people believe they have the liberty to do whatever they please regardless of the consequences that may impose on others. Donald Trump is the epitome of that way of thinking. On the other hand, other people feel that we are not free until all our fellow Americans are free.

Perhaps, an even bigger issue is how Americans are divided on the meaning and application of justice in our country:

Is it just for a security guard who shoots and kills an unarmed black teenager to go free because the guard had suspicions about the teenager’s activities?

Is it just for a few Americans to accumulate billions of dollars while many others live in poverty, a good number of them homeless?

As we saw on January 6, 2021, we are in the midst of an armed and deadly conflict over the very soul of our nation. Are all Americans brothers and sisters in one big, complex family? Or are we a huge conglomeration of individuals just in it for ourselves?

I think what really divides us is our fear of the other. Whether it’s the other gender, race, nationality, sexual preference or what have you. Those driven by their fear seek power. They want to control the ‘other’ to alleviate their own fear. It’s scary and depressing what they are willing to do to gain and maintain control. And it’s impossible to predict how this will all turn out.

With all that, I am fortunate to be able to take a ‘time out’ away from all the turmoil of our world. To see the broader picture from afar. I feel great gratitude for my stay in Puerto Rico. Most people do not have the time or resources for such luxury. So, with renewed vitality and vision, I’m ready to return to the real world and continue in the struggle for the soul of America.

At the same time, the ocean will keep on washing onto the shore, wave after wave after wave forever. And we are just a tiny moment in eternity.

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/. Join the movement to revive our democracy. Together we can save the soul of America.

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Trouble in Paradise

Posted on March 20, 2022 by Author: Bruce Berlin

I’m in sunny Puerto Rico on vacation. The backdoor of our Airbnb is right on the beach. You would think how lucky I am. But the front door of our rental is on a very loud, busy road. The traffic noise wakes us early in the morning and makes it difficult falling asleep at night.

I shouldn’t complain, you say. Well, we’ve had a rough week. Last Sunday I drove through a small drainage ditch running across the road. I didn’t see it in time to slow down enough to avoid partly dislodging my left front bumper. I’ve made an appointment at a body shop to repair it next week.

On Monday I spent eleven hours with my partner in the ER. We went to the hospital because she was having very severe back pains. Turns out she has a kidney stone. The ER doc gave her pain medication and told her to drink lots of water. While the pain has subsided fortunately, she’s still waiting for the stone to pass. Meanwhile, she’s having trouble sleeping and her energy level is pretty low.

The next day I’m eating a cracker and a cap on a tooth on the lower left side of my mouth breaks. I’m not in pain, but I am having difficulty chewing on that side of my mouth. I’ve made an appointment with my dentist back in Santa Fe to replace it when we get home.

That’s the kind of week it’s been. Consequently, I haven’t been able to focus on my blog. So, I took this past week off. My daughter and her boyfriend arrive today. I think I won’t have time to write my blog this coming week either.

But once I recover from my vacation, I’ll get back to blogging with renewed vigor!

Meanwhile, I wish you all the best wherever you may be in these troubling times.

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/. Join the movement to revive our democracy. Together we can save the soul of America.