2020 has been, at least to this point, quite a year! We tend to concentrate on what's wrong, I mean, what else can go wrong! We are trying hard not to step on people's toes, not to express an opinion that will alienate our friends. Joyce Meyers wrote, "Statistics prove that 10 percent of the people we encounter will not like us. There is nothing we can do about it, except worry, but even that won't change their minds."

On Friday, while I was in town working on getting the paper out early, I received many compliments about the paper. I appreciate it very much as I'm still learning! I've tried not to distance half the population of Big Sandy, but I couldn't help but wonder if I shouldn't try a different approach to issues. The problem is I genuinely do try to look at both sides, seldom is any subject a black and white issue, rarely is one person correct an another wrong. However, on Friday, the Mountaineer also received a call from a salesperson asking for Jim Rettig. I've been thinking a lot about him, and his column "I Wonder." He would sometimes deal with a difficult subject, which I have avoided.

I've decided to stay the course for now, in this bitter political year. To me, community connection is essential. More critical than voicing my opinion.

Joyce Meyers also wrote, "The truth is, God is for us, and since He is so mighty and awesome, it really does not matter all that much who is against us (see Romans 8:31). Think about who is on your side, not who is against you. There are many people who do love and accept you and it is much more enjoyable to keep your mind on them. We should practice meditating on what we do have, not what we are missing. We do have God. He promises never to leave us or forsake us, so we are never without Him. He is more than enough."

Some of us are struggling mightily, and we can't seem to find a way out of the hole we are in. Some are in a difficult mind space. Some exist. In some small, miniature way, I'm hoping a small-town newspaper that tries to celebrate who we are will lift us up to a higher place for just a few moments. We are in this together!