Van Beek: New beginnings
Every few years we get another chance to reset the political rhetoric and try it again. We promise that we won’t let ourselves get too wound up about it all, with civility once again peeking its head out, hoping not to get it chopped off.
The intensity of emotions around issues stirs feelings similar to gladiators. The intensity is like being in, or at least, attending, a Super Bowl … defeat the opponent by any means possible. Except, in football, there are rules, you can’t go too far. Yet, somehow, we fail to apply those same parameters around our political discussions.
We’ve all seen families break up over their support of various political issues and that’s absurd. We can’t destroy important relationships over candidates that come and go because politicians can be replaced — families cannot.
Governing is cyclical. We all cheer when our candidate wins, and we mourn our times of loss, but it is the ultimate balance of power that continues to guide us toward our founder’s dreams. And, while we may feel doomed during our off years, it strengthens our ultimate positions forward, as it forces us out of our comfort zone, to envision alternative solutions.
Despite who wins an election, politicians come and go. Other aspects of our lives were around before them and with care, will be here long after. No one running for office should ever get in the way of you and those you love.

Support Local Journalism
Yes, there are critical issues in play, but many of those issues have been around a very long time, some for decades, and disappointingly some may never get resolved, but we keep trying. Oftentimes, the events that seem to trigger those issues didn’t occur from just one person’s error; there tended to be multiple ingredients in that pot, contributed by all.
We make resolutions at the start of a new year to do things better, get healthier, be happier … then we fall into that same mindset that is miserably comfortable and those “shoulds” begin to disappear. Change is uncomfortable, even when we know all the benefits of it.
Yet, look around. We live in one of the most beautiful places on earth. We have a community as diverse as many cities, yet our size allows us that close, hometown feel, helping us feel recognized, appreciated, and loved.
Certainly, we are impacted by national and global events, but it is that smile on a neighbor’s face, that view of a mountain so magnificent that it seems to touch the heavens, that laughter of your best friend, who tells the lamest jokes yet you can’t wait to hear another.
In this new year, let’s notice the greatness around us. Let go of the disappointing times, and live for what we can create in our communities by working together. Every day is an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in our community.
While we may not control external events, we certainly control our response. We live in one of the most beautiful spots in the world, surrounded by incredible people who care about one another. That is not only remarkable, but it’s unique … treasure it.
While life can be stressful, solutions are often simple. They may not be easy but they are generally not complicated. However, it can be difficult to create viable remedies when we are in a negative mindset, often sparked by social media posts or news commentaries. Yet, we can break that cycle of negativity. As someone in law enforcement, working to keep on top of the events of the night, I am as guilty as anyone for allowing those influences to potentially influence my mood.
In a positive mindset, we can innovate sustainable solutions. Focusing on the possible dramatically increases our chances of creating viable and unique remedies to tough challenges. We cannot let outside influences upset us to the point of exhaustion, depression, and loneliness. It’s not only unproductive, it’s personally destructive.
Beginning the day with an attitude of gratitude is truly a good start. Not picking up our phone or turning on the TV is a great first step. It removes the ability of others to set our focus. Thankfulness will cause us to shift our attention to all the wonderful things in our lives, the ones that bring us joy. There’s plenty of time to deal with life’s stresses afterward.
While we all have challenges, we are here, beginning a new day, with the potential of making a difference in someone’s life. That little smile, brief hello, simple compliment, can help others forget their current trauma and feel a bit better about themselves and life. Be that person who can take a moment to brighten someone’s day — we never know what they may be going through.
Finish this week by telling yourself that from now on if you feel yourself becoming upset about world events, stop, take a deep breath, and say thank you, world, for giving me the life I have and the people I love.
Happy January!
James van Beek is the Eagle County sheriff. You can reach him at james.vanbeek@eaglecounty.us.