But don't think twice, it's all right

I truly think that the world has gone mad.

Or that somehow the Earth got titled a little too far on its axis.

There really is no explanation for what is going on these days.

However, if folks are more concerned about the color of a coffee cup then other issues, bless them. That is their priority and I will not waste my time trying to understand the way they think.

I also think that you get glimpses of the worst of humanity while in a waiting room. Or in any kind of lengthy line. No one likes to wait. All sense of humanity tends to wither.

This morning, I had to go for a blood test. I arrived at the lab I normally go to, where there is rarely a wait.

Not so much today.

I was there for well over an hour, just waiting my turn.

Now, I will not paint this picture of myself as some patient individual who does not mind waiting her turn.

I went through a range of emotions.

I got irritated because after waiting for 30 minutes, I realized I was not going to be on time to work. I relaxed at one point, as I realized that while I was there, I had a respite from work. I got anxious, as my phone battery started to dwindle and I had not thought to bring any knitting in with me.

By the time it was my turn, I had listened to people rant about the wait, one elderly woman got mad at me as she was in the wrong place and in her mind, it was my fault that she was there, as she asked me if we were at the only lab in the building and I had responded truthfully that it was the only lab I know of in that building. The atmosphere was not pleasant.

I entered the actual lab, which only had one person working.

I sat down in the chair and waited some more.

Now, I could have berated the lab tech for the wait.

However, as I sat there, waiting on her to find the orders for my bloodwork, I listened as others who had been waiting came up to the window and asked just how much longer it would be.

The lab tech came to me and I chose to be kind.

We chatted about how her day was going, as she was visibly upset by how rude other patients were being to her.

She kept apologizing for my wait and I told her truthfully that the wait ended up being a nice break for me.

I left there with her thanking me for being so kind to her and she wished me well as I departed.

And I was reminded of how, by choosing kindness, I had made a small difference in her day.

I will not write excessively about the election. However it turns out, it is the choice of the people who got out there and voted.

Yet, I am concerned about how nasty this entire process has been.

Yes, it is a competition, but there should be some level of compassion involved.

The lack of kindness I am seeing right now in America frightens me more than the potential new president.

And so, going forward, I choose kindness.

Kindness to myself. Kindness to others.

It isn't always easy, but every time I choose to be kind rather than harsh, I never regret it. I regret lashing out much more than loving on others.

And the things I hear people say about this election, the candidates...I can not remember an election filled with more hatred than this one. I pray we'll never experience one like this again.

And a mantra I keep hearing is that it's only four years

Here's the thing: no one is guaranteed four more years. God willing, my loved ones, my family, my friends, God willing we all have at least four more years. But there is no guarantee.

So irregardless of who is chosen tonight to lead this country, I am going to practice love instead of hate.

(Except while driving. My road rage will never be abated.)

The other day, I told a friend that I loved him, because I just wanted to let him know.

I don't want to wish that I had said something that was in my heart. So, I'm going to open my mouth and say it.

And as far as our country goes, yes, I dare say America is broken. Not just by this election.

We kill each other because of appearance. We kill each other because of who we love. We kill each other because of Who we believe in.

We torment each other over the same things as well. And so on.

And I don't know how to get any of this to stop.

So I choose to love. I choose to be kind.

I just hope our country chooses to reject the hatred that this election is spewing at us and chooses to be kind instead.

I see love in this country. I do see kindness. I just want to see more.

And I think of kintsugi, which I recently learned about.

Kintsugi is the Japanese art of fixing broken pottery.

It is the art of repairing pottery with gold or silver lacquer and understanding that the piece is more beautiful for having been broken.

Our country will repair. And it will be more beautiful because of being broken. That is my hope and prayer.

And that is why I don't mind thinking of myself as broken. I am more beautiful because I have been broken.

So my broken self is going to love on others the best I can. My broken self will be kind to others. For I am learning that this is how you begin to repair the damage that has been done.