Authentic Texan
We’re only halfway done with 2020, and it’s been one of the most stressful, tumultuous years we can remember. From the pandemic to burning cities, just watching the nightly news can be enough to cause the average American to despair for the future. Those stress levels are often made all the worse by a mainstream news media that focuses only on the bleakest world events. It has plenty of us wondering where all the good news has gone these days. However, we believe that despite the fact the world can be a dark place, not only is there cause for hope, but reason for joy as well. Consider the possibility that things aren’t as bleak as you’ve been told!
Photo: envato elements
For example, when news of the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the world, many scientists and government officials predicted worst-case scenarios. Thankfully, it appears that the most apocalyptic of those predictions were simply wrong.
It’s difficult to calculate the exact odds of the average American dying from COVID-19, considering that official numbers don’t include unreported or misdiagnosed cases. Infectious disease specialist Dr. Yvonne Maldonado of Sanford University has said the average American has a one in 100 chance of not surviving such an infection.
That might sound scary, especially considering that older Americans are at higher-risk, but you can also think of it this way: the average American has a 99% chance of surviving COVID-19. Most people would say those odds are pretty good! Compare that to the odds of dying from an opioid overdose: one in 98.
Photo: envato elements
You might’ve heard a lot of talk about America being a fundamentally racist country, but it’s been our experience that most people you meet don’t have a truly racist bone in their body. Certainly, there are sad and tragic exceptions to this, but in general, Americans are committed to judging people by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin. Equality of opportunity is regarded as a sacred idea by the average citizen. The problems facing our country often have less to do with any “ism,” and more to do with simple good and evil. As Solzhenitsyn said, “The battleline between good and evil runs through the heart of every man.”
Photo: @matt.swope via Twenty20
It’s our belief that the vast majority of U.S. police officers are brave men and women who do their best to protect and serve citizens of every race, class, and creed. Maybe recently you’ve heard talk as though the actions of a few bad cops reflected the character of all police officers. Maybe you’ve even heard radical talk of “defunding” police department entirely. However, just think of all the brave officers who would not only put their lives on the line to protect Americans, but if necessary, would give up their lives to do so. Now think of all the fallen officers throughout the history of our country who have done exactly that, who have made that great sacrifice. Isn’t it a mistake to judge all police officers by the tragic actions of a handful of bad cops?
When we find ourselves slipping into a darkened mindset, all too often with a little help from the media, it becomes hard to see the good in people and the good in our country. The deeper we sink into that mindset, the more darkness and evil we see around us, while missing the light entirely. If we chose to see goodness, then not only will our hearts will be light and free, but soon we’ll start seeing (and spreading!) more goodness all the time.
