Surrender and acceptance.

I actively work on these acts of faith pretty much daily.

I would love to report that I have evolved to a point where I am no longer bothered by “earthly” concerns, but that would be far from the truth. I have strong opinions, a quick temper, and resist “rising above it,” as my mother often advised. Instead, I have the impulse to revert back to my five-year-old self when my older brothers teased me. My reaction involved becoming livid, yelling, “Stop it,” and then sailing through the air to pummel whichever offending brother it was with my clenched fists. Not that I ever actually hurt them. Instead, they often laughed at my reaction, which made me even madder.

That’s how I feel right now when people use racist and sexist language to criticize Kamala Harris’s appropriateness to run for President.

If you don’t like Kamala’s policies, then criticize the policies.

If you don’t like Kamala’s political philosophy, then criticize the philosophy.

If you don’t believe she is qualified to serve as President, then pose an argument that supports your belief.

But please don’t go the low road and trot out racist or sexist rhetoric.

Do you honestly believe that Kamala Harris slept her way to the top?

Do you honestly believe that not liking the tone of her voice is a legitimate reason she shouldn’t run?

Do you honestly believe that this woman has reached her current status solely because of public policies that encouraged diversity, equity, and inclusion? That is, she wasn’t smart enough to make it on her own?

I saw an offensive meme today that suggested she was a whore.

Is that not the oldest insult in the book? Flung whenever someone decides that a woman is no longer behaving in an acceptable manner.

J.D. Vance called her, “A childless cat lady?” Really?

Childless? Is that supposed to be an insult? Are only women with children worthy of respect? I certainly hope not.

A cat lady? Denigrating a woman because she loves cats doesn’t even make sense. (And will, no doubt, cause cat lovers everywhere to become quite annoyed.)

I know I am preaching to the choir. People who read this blog are the last people on the planet to resort to such petty and mean-spirited insults. ‘

Still, I needed to vent.

After all, I have to figure out some way to unclench my fists and stand down from my baser impulses.

I will remind myself that I have no control over what other people think and feel.

I will also do my best to “Rise above it” as my mother would advise.

Most importantly, I will do my best not to sink down and start flinging petty insults at Kamala’s male counterpart.

I expect it’s going to get a lot uglier before this election is over.

Good Lord, deliver us.