By Steve Moran

Setting the stage: July 1, 2024, 6:30 in the morning on mile 2.67 of 4 miles walking the dogs — early because we are looking at 110 degree days this week. While sometimes I will listen to podcasts like Foresight Radio, more often I leave the earbuds at home, so I can better experience the sights and sounds of my walk.

I got to thinking about July 4, Independence Day, and what it means to me and to this country. That got me to thinking about the sorry state of politics in this country. There is so much animosity and hostility that the nation’s cup overflows with it.

Lies

There once was a sense of integrity and dignity in the world of politics, or at least an illusion of it. We expected our politicians, their surrogates, and our news media to tell the truth, even though we knew that truth would come with some biases.

Today, in truth, we don’t even talk about it. In last Thursday’s debate both candidates told whoppers in a completely unapologetic way. Then their surrogates did the media circuit talking about how their side’s lies were not as bad as the other side’s.

We don’t even have any expectation that the media outlets on the left or right will provide an honest account of anything. This spills over into all walks of life, including senior living, where we are routinely trashed by the media who tell a narrow story designed to outrage, to get clicks and reads.

And worst of all … we have accepted it as the way the world is and routinely parrot the lies that support “our side.”

And Yet …

We have so much to be grateful for.

  • We live in a country where this kind of dissent is tolerated; it does not land you in prison or get you killed.
  • We all slept in our own beds, woke up knowing we have a job and enough to eat.
  • We all have access to the best health care system in the world, albeit expensive and inefficient.
  • We never worry about having rockets fired at us or bombs dropped on us.
  • Our children and grandchildren have enough to eat, and if they are sick they can show up at the hospital and be treated even if their bank account is empty.
  • We know more about how to stay healthy than has ever been true in the history of mankind.
  • We have technology that makes our lives better (mostly). It makes life easier, allows us to do more, and entertains us.

Hard Times

I do not want to diminish the reality that for many in senior living, times are tough. I will start with me. It has been the toughest year Foresight has ever faced. We are having to work harder on revenue and more carefully control expenses.

There are many vendors and operators who are in great peril, and that causes stress, heartache, and pain. Beyond business, so many silently suffer with health issues, relationship issues, loneliness, and depression.

Independence Day

Independence Day is a day to celebrate the freedoms we have to speak, to start businesses, to fail. A time to celebrate what it means to be human in the most free nation. It feels pretty terrible right now, but we will get through this. We will be stronger and better. At some point this anger and hostility will run out of steam.

On July 4 take a break from politics. Go celebrate. Eat some hamburgers or hot dogs, scarf down some potato salad and baked beans. Go for a walk and make a list of the things that make you smile. Sprinklers watering green grass, romping dogs, laughing children. Go to a fireworks show. Call up some old friends and tell them how much they mean to you.