Independent Newsmedia

By Julie Skrzypek | Glendale

OPINION — If you’re feeling helpless amid American turmoil and division, you’re not alone.

I can whine and wallow, and where does that get me? I don’t have sports expertise, but have watched enough football to learn a thing or two to elevate my optimism. Call me “Pollyanna,” but I know it’s time to change my attitude when it resembles “Negative Nellie.” I suggest:

Act. In the huddle, coach yells, “Do something!” Sounds vague, but it’s the first step. Action leads to determination and a feeling that I am doing something to move the ball toward the goal. Writing this is action. Registering to vote is action. Encouraging others to register is, too. Arizona Clean Elections Commission, azcleanelections.gov, makes it easy to discover your federal and state districts as well as your local precinct. 

Connect with others who are concerned about our country. Talk to neighbors, friends and family. Join a group advocating for an issue or candidate that’s important to you. Listen with an open mind to speakers and take a few notes. Invite others to events. 

Speak up! Show respect to other humans. During a recent rally, a driver yelled a bad word and waved the middle finger. I was restrained since any comeback would be wasted. Also, Pollyanna wouldn’t cuss since that would detract from her message.

I am grateful for high school students who recently marched. I’m glad they are experiencing democracy firsthand with action, connection and voice.  

Coach wants to know if I’m ready to play. “Yes, I have my playbook.” I am in the Brewer Precinct, LD 27 and CD 8. I attend LD meetings and am volunteering with Deborah Howard’s campaign.

Football coach, Lou Holtz, once said, “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to it.” I hope others respond positively.  

Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

Keywords

turmoil,

elections,

Arizona Clean Elections Commission,

playbook,

action,

Deborah Howard