When I first read these words, they struck me as being so smart and so timely that I made them into this meme to share. Let’s unpack them, though:

Focus on what you can control.

Focusing on the things you cannot control will only drive up your blood pressure. What can you control in the Age of the Ol’ Pussy Grabber? Your reaction to what you are witnessing. You don’t have to think those thoughts. You don’t have to do those things. You can stop and take a deep breathe before you react emotionally and angrily to the daily affronts and outrages that ooze out of the White House sewer.

Be a good person every day.

Nothing busts stress like the dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins that flow when you help someone else. It is that deep connection to the other living beings in our world that will cause the oxytocin to be abundant. You can do it even through social media. You can connect. You can offer a kind word to someone, a complement, or other kindness. It does wonder for your soul.

Vote. Read.

These are actions that you can take that will help you feel like you can have some influence. Unfortunately, voting only happens once every few years. But, you can register yourself. You can help others register. You can call your representatives who are in office to let them know what you think.

• Call My Congress: Uses your zip code to locate your Congressional Representative and your Senators. And, it returns phone numbers, tweeter handle, party affiliation, voting record, and link to C-Span appearances!
• Call Your Rep: Uses your address to give you your representative and senators but with their local and DC addresses and phone numbers.
• The Capital Hill Switch Board: (202) 224-3121.

Read about the issues, but also read for pleasure. Find a good book and take a break from the madness. It will all still be here when you’re done… hopefully. But, hey, if it is not, then you don’t have to worry about it any more any way, amirite?

Treat one another kindly.

Play it forward. It will lead to the release of all those good brain chemicals listed above. And, it is so affirming to realize that there are still good people in this world.

See the good in yourself, others, and in the world.

Follow the law.

Don’t burden yourself with the risk of prosecution if you literally break the law, or with the stress of violating your personal morals and being caught out by someone you care about. Now more than ever, stick to your moral beliefs.

If you don’t have them, gets some.

Don’t tweet nasty stuff.

People respond to anger with anger. It’s fun and thrilling to call people names. You can be very creative with it. But, you know what. Don’t contribute to the cynicism and vitriol that passes for political discourse. There is a time and a place for a snarky, sarcasticky, profaney response; it usually isn’t on social media.

Deep Thoughts with Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama speaking at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday 16 November 2017.