Blackfoot Valley Dispatch - The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980

Is it just me, or has the world - and by world I mean everything - seemed really heavy? I'm not just talking about lately, I'm talking about in general for the last several years?

I think I've noticed it before, but it's really hitting home for me even more lately. There always seems to be some sort of controversy, some tragedy or some new threat being thrown at us. When I visit with close friends and family, it continually feels like there is more illness, death and all-around difficult times.

Sometimes, I think my age has a factor in the way I'm perceiving all this information. Clearly, as we get older, there is just more illness and death, but it really feels like more.

I think there are several reasons I, and many others, are feeling like we're under constant bombardment of bad news.

First, I don't believe our main-stream-media outlets do us any justice. Second, I believe they all just tell us things that, whether we believe or not, is exactly what they want us to hear.

If we're under constant attack of things always being wrong, then there is no way for us to feel better and move forward - or is there?

I think they - whoever "they" are - want us to feel bad and to perpetuate mental instability and keep many people on medications to "control" such illness. Yes, I'm doing a bit of conspiracy thinking here when I say the pharmaceutical companies want us all on some sort of medication, because let's face it, there's a lot of money in it for them. If we utilized natural ways to control our own mental health, we would be better off as individuals, and they would go broke.

Am I saying there isn't a need for such medications? Absolutely not! I know there are good reasons to take them, but I'm also a huge proponent of natural and homeopathic remedies, and counseling.

Another area that is creating difficult times for most people is the ability to support ourselves. It seems it is becoming more difficult by the day. No matter whose fault you think that is, the fact of the matter is that the cost of living has significantly increased. For myself, the cost of gasoline for my vehicle is more than double what it was in 2021. My grocery bill has also more than doubled in that time, and the cost of food for my animals and livestock has risen on an average of 40 percent. I haven't been one to be doing remodeling or actual building of a home, but from those I talk to, those costs have also risen significantly in recent years.

So here are some questions for you:

Did you ever think you would see the day where floating objects in the sky would be permitted to collect images and intel about us, even here in Montana?

Did you ever really think we would be on the brink of another world war? Have we learned nothing from our past? Don't we all want a better future for ourselves and others around us? Has war ever really been a solution?

Did you ever think we'd go back to being censored so profusely? Don't think we are? Try to post anything on social media containing the word "suddenly" in relation to deaths of young, healthy individuals or wondering why we didn't act sooner about that spy balloon and you'll find your post removed, flagged, or you as an individual placed in "time out" due to "community standards."

When have our food sources and supply chains ever been so clogged up, out of whack and purposely destroyed? If you'll remember, I wrote a column about a year ago about all the fires and unexplained destruction of food processing plants. Sadly, it hasn't gotten much better. Just look at the "egg" situation.

The biggest question, though iswhat can we do about any of it? Here's my plan. Maybe you'll join me:

Turn off the television, stop listening to the news on repeat. I'm not saying bury your head in a hole, but watch your version of news once, and when it starts repeating, flip the switch.

Get out and enjoy all of the beauty and fresh air around you. Yes, our fresh air had been on the cold side last week, but it's warming up again. Step outside, take a walk, breathe the air. It really does make a difference.

Spend more time with family and friends that, "lift you up." Spend an hour over coffee or invite someone over for lunch and just chat about all the good. There is still a lot of it left in the world.

Smile and laugh more. Find things that make you smile, and people who can make you laugh.

Work smarter and together. Join forces with friends and family and start helping one another with food, wood and skills. I can't build anything to save my life, but I'm the gal who can preserve food and spin and knit hats, scarves and gloves. Find your strengths and share them.

Be prepared. In Montana, we do that almost all of the time. In Lincoln, we do it a little more because, let's face it, if we get hit with a huge storm (or something worse), we know we need to have food, water, a heat source, generators, fuel, flashlights, etc., for a period of time.

Slow down on social media. I use social media a lot for my business, but I'm doing my best to reduce the "other" time I spend on there, which is frankly, a huge time suck and energy drainer.

Did I mention breathe fresh air and smile more :-)

What are some of your suggestions for making this dark world a little brighter? I think if we all focus on doing that, even the way of the world won't be able to keep us down - or at least not for long.