Not "of" this world

Be in this world but not "of" this world. That thought is central to my joke about certainty that I am from another planet. Thinking about the origins of that certainty is a determination to not allow what was happening around me to shake me to the core. What was happening in my life then, and much of what I see happening now, are things I did not/do not want to allow to change my spirit.
They are around me but I do not want to let them inside. It is a great challenge. I'm convinced that central to creating a safety shield is the level of fear that rises inside. The opposite of love is not hate. It is fear.
Fear can drive us to do and say things we would not do in love. Fear makes us weak in the knees. And fear drives anger.
Of course, some fear is a very real survival response. If a semi is heading straight toward you, hopefully your natural fear response helps you react quickly enough to get out of the way. Hopefully fear keeps you from jumping off a cliff.
But if you mitigate the risk of "splat" at the bottom of the cliff, fear can be overcome and actually end in an exhilarating experience. Parasails and kite gliders help to transcend fear.
If we don't want fear to drive us, our power lies in properly assessing risk and doing what we can to mitigate the risk. When I can do this, fear does not grow into hate and anger. It's when I believe I am powerless that fear drives me in a negative way.
We cannot control what others do. Rarely will anger help us or them. What can we do to shield ourselves from an actually risk others pose (well assessed) and to protect our spirit? If we can slow our response, careful not to stoke emotional fire within, we can better consider the risk and our ability to mitigate it.
Often, I first write. What just happened? That's my first step in processing. Within this blogger, there remain many drafts that were never shared. And perhaps there are some shared that should have remained drafts. In any case, I find writing to be a great way to begin grounding. My next step is to adjust what I can control. With age, it's become more important for me to ask myself if my thoughts and actions are spiritually true for me. I can control my thoughts and actions. I can prepare for possible dangers.
My faith lies in spiritual truth. That truth will rise above my own frailties and overcome those dangers that may arise. Truth will rise above everything and it will prevail. Resting in that assurance calms me and it is the source of my inner power - universal power.

Even if I don't say a word

I had a most interesting experience in recent days. A customer needed a few specific things and we had a very nice exchange. I learned a little about his personal story and got to hear an amazing voice. As he prepared to leave, he paused and offered encouraging words.
"Things will get better soon," he said.
And then, like the flip of a switch, he grew quite animated.
"Just don't believe a thing you hear on mainstream media," he said with arms motioning, "it's all lies."
We were wearing masks so he could only see my eyes which must have widened.
"Trump is the savior of this country!" His voice grew in intensity, "I don't care what anyone says about him."
My eyes must have grown wider but I didn't say a word.
And he grew more animated, pointing at me.
"You're a SOCIALIST!" He accused. Then he pushed the door open and pointed again. "You're a SOCIALIST!"
I turned to my sister whom I was happy was nearby. "What did I say?"
Her eyes were wide too. "Nothing."
And so it is with today's world. Pleasant situations can turn on a dime. And I guess there's a new savior. And I'm an anti-savior. Even if I don't say a word.