As the weather cools off, temperatures have been rising. Indeed tempers have been flaring. Sometimes it seems that everyone is talking, but no one is listening. How can we adapt, when we are confronted daily with daunting challenges? I have friends that go hiking, or read books they could not get to before now.  Some bake bread, and others have become full-time teachers for their kids and grandkids. We do not always get to choose how we spend our time.

I was deeply saddened by recent vandalism at the George Washington Carver Museum in Phoenix. Someone painted swastikas and racial slurs on the property for all to see. I serve on the board, and so I went there early in the morning to take stock. I met a city employee named Tony, already there to help. He told me that he walked past the school every day as a boy, and hated that someone would do that. I thanked him, and then went back to my car and cried. I cried because it hurt. And then I began to hear from people, lots and lots of people who cared, all wanting to help. I am reminded by this, that each day may bring sadness or joy. But we can choose how we react. I choose joy.