Author: AWR72

I would like to see better regulations on social media and artificial intelligence. Both of which are having negative impacts on our society. It’s not all bad because there are benefits to them too. Just wish we could keep the creators behind either of them in check and hold them more accountable.

Another change, in my country, America, political donations. I am tired of the few controlling the many. There should only be so much a person can donate to a campaign. Plus, rein in campaign spending. Ridiculous how much people spend to get elected.

One more – better education on climate change and how it will affect us. Social media has spread a lot of misinformation.

I stay home with the kids so while I run errands, sit in carpool, cook, clean, fold laundry, etc. I usually listen to music or podcasts and sometimes when the TV is near YouTube is an option.

Hiking – getting lost in nature is a great way to pass the time. Easily lose hours on a trail.

Reading – nothing like a great page turner to help soak up some time.

Movies – a few hours spent on a film is time well spent.

Writing – when the creativity is flowing time just evaporates.

Adventure. When you reach a certain age – currently 52 – you start to seek out things that keep that youthful spirit alive inside of you. Like learning to hike and running a YouTube channel based on those adventures. It’s the little things that keep you young.

First thing that popped into my mind: patience and understanding. More open to more things as you age, and as you live longer you learn not to constantly make a mole hill into a mountain. You learn better about what’s worth fighting for and what’s not.

Immediate Future: Spending the summer with my kids since I don’t see them much when they are in school.

In about a month: Annual mountain trip for an entire week. Cooler weather, great places to hike, and walk. Look forward to it more and more as the summers continue to get hotter and hotter. Going to be in the upper nineties today with heat indexes in the triple digits. Hard to be active in that kind of heat.

In the fall: Getting back to day hiking when the weather cools and fall settles in.

As for the future, beyond the next few months: I truly don’t know. News and social media are forecasting bleak times ahead but as a person who tries to stay positive I cling to positivity. Maybe if we work to change the negative narrative we can fix the problems that lay before us. We don’t always have to agree but maybe we can find some common ground when it involves things that affect us all.

What many will probably say – their phone. It’s a constant time waster with apps and notifications all vying for your attention. I have only select notifications turned on because I don’t want to constantly have stuff asking for my time. I have found walking away from your tiny “always needy” companion leads to much more harmony in this world. Things don’t seem as dark. Time passes more slowly and easily too. That’s my goal this week. Less phone more time for other things.

Being in the moment and totally committed to the person you love. No phones or computers or distractions. Just you and your significant other hanging out and being together. For me personally. I love watching a movie with my wife and sharing that experience or getting out on a long walk and exploring the world around us.

Trying to be kind and pleasant to those I encounter each day. A simple good morning or how’s it going to a stranger can make a huge difference.