Letting It Go. . . and Doing Something Better. . .

I have been just full of angst about everything that has been going on in Washington DC. and our country with the Healthcare debacle.

It has been consuming me to the point where I just couldn't think of anything else. I did all that I could, regularly emailing and faxing my representatives. But living in Idaho as I do, most of our representatives are conservative Republicans, and fairly loyal to the principles of the party. Have you seen Senator Mike Crapo out and about warning dangers of passing this healthcare bill?

Yeah, he's from Idaho :~D

However, I looked at the Whip list on Saturday (a list of all the congressmen and women and how they were projected to vote) and was horrified to see that the lone Democratic congressman, Walt Minnick, was considering a "yes" vote on Saturday. So I dashed off an email to him, blatantly begging him to vote no. Which he did, thankfully. I am sure he must have gotten many letters just like mine.

So, Saturday night, after returning from a much needed (and hilariously fun, I might add) night out with friends, I was shocked and disappointed, but not totally surprised, to see that the mammoth 1990 page bill has passed the House.

However, I realized that I had done all I could.

I had prayed. I had written my representatives. I had donated money. (I wished I could have been at the 9/12 march on DC!)

There is a long fight left to go, with committees to pick it apart, and the Senate to vote on their own version(s).

But this angst.

I can't continue to live with it.

I am an insignificant cog in the political wheel of life.

Spinning my wheels.

Needle in the haystack of the process . . .

. . . Sunday was the Primary Sacrament meeting presentation. (where the children speak small parts and sing songs tied to a theme, for all the members of the congregation). This year the theme was The Family Is Ordained of God. Each child got to get up and say a small part, and participate in singing songs about the sacredness of families. I was so proud of them! Each one did their very best. I love my calling, working with the Primary children. I my opinion, it is the best place to be. And I love the people that I work with. They are such a great example to me.

This made me realize, there is much I can do that will make a difference, right here, right now, all around me.

-I can be a better wife. I can have my husband's back when faced with work, church, and child-raising challenges. I can better anticipate his needs. Not in a doormat way, of course, but in a way that makes the household run smoother. I can do a better job of showing love and affection, even when I am cranky, because I know that we both need that especially during stressful times.

-I can be a better mom. I can be more patient, kind, loving, patient (did I say that already?) and be a better example of the principles I am trying to teach them.

-I can do better in my calling. I can pray more about what I need to present in Sharing Time. I can put more time, effort, and prayer into every aspect of my responsibilities.

-I can be a better Sister in the Gospel. I can do better at visiting teaching, taking meals to families in need, and serving in any capacity that I can.

So, after all I can do in the political aspect, now what I need to do is to let it go.

Not give up the fight for what I believe is the right thing for my country,

but to not let it consume me and my whole life.

So, hey there Angst, I'm takin' my life back!