Once again, we are confronted with the challenge of how to live our lives as the civil war between the rich and the poor and the angry and anxious rages over our heads and into our lives and peace of mind.

Nobody needs more punditry or breathless speculation and commentary, certainly not here, surely not from me. I have nothing to add to the din, I’m not jumping off of any cliff.

The challenge for me is the same as the challenge for you – how do we stay grounded and fulfilled in the midst of this never-ending storm of anger and argument. How can I make this time meaningful and positive in some way?

I was fantasizing it might be about to be better, but of course, it will have to get worse before it gets better.

So what am I going to do about it? Articles Of Compassion.

For me, the answer is known, if not really simple.

It is the same answer as it was three years ago. I am going to do good rather than argue about good. I am going to seek out the needy and vulnerable people I can find and work to ease their lives.

I am going to share this experience openly and honestly.

This was one of the best decisions of my life, right up there with marrying Maria. It has kept me grounded, spawned the amazing Army Of Good, given me peace and satisfaction and fulfillment.

I promised myself that I would not spend my precious time in argument and hatred. Mostly, I’ve kept my promise. I renew it.

We are needed now more than ever.

I am going to stay grounded by doing some good, every single day of my life. I am focusing on two places as a metaphor for others as well as me: the Mansion and the Bishop Maginn High School, two pockets of need and vulnerability.

We can’t help everybody, but we can sure help some.

This permits us to focus our values in a way that is both practical and visible. And to stay centered, a challenge for everyone, more so now.

Please come and stay with me, do this good with me. I think we shall be more necessary than ever. Doing good feels good, period. Let the others rage and drown in their grievances.

I am going to continue my vow of dignity and self-respect: I will not say or do anything that would cause me to lose my self-respect or dignity, that would cause me to hate what I see in the mirror every morning.

It is not about what others say, it is about what I say, not about what others think, but about what I think.

I will not argue my view or values with anyone, not on social media, not on my blog, not in my life. Rage and hatred have poisoned our world, and I won’t add to the much.

Every day I look for small acts of great kindness. Every day, I can make someone warmer, more comfortable, happier. Thanks for walking with me on this path.

I will continue to use my life with animals as a sounding board, a way of seeing myself in the mirror, a way of learning acceptance and moving ever towards a more spiritual life.

I practice Radical Acceptance. I accept and respect the life I am given, and I won’t speak poorly of it.

I am, as always, hopeful for the future.

There is a great awakening occurring all around me, I see it, hear it, feel it. And I mean to be a part of it. I hear the bugles and the drums. There is so much to do.

I am learning what is important and what is necessary, what is right, even what is patriotic.

Let’s bring some joy and meaning into the world. Let’s do our small acts of great kindness together.

Once again, we are called to action. I’m ready to go. Everything is a gift.

Life is good. Life is what I will make of it, and I mean to do good.

You can help by contributing to the work of the Army Of Good: via Paypal, [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz, Mansion/Refugee Fund, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Thank you.