Sometimes epiphanies simply reinforce prior revelations, and today I had such. Gratitude reigns supreme when you’re doing extended traveling. It helps put circumstances in perspective and contextualize the various parts of the world you visit.

I’ve been sitting on the impeachment news, hoping that with time I could analyze further and provide some type of coherent rhetoric about what’s happening. It’s been tough, and I never reached any semblance of the above.

Both sides are vehement in their crusade against the opposition, both drawing on the lack of historical precedence for the situation. It baffles me how one body of congress can be so divided and tell such drastically different stories. It doesn’t encourage, but basically forces the American public to view the impeachment from an extreme vantage point.

And I feel like many people are like me: we don’t know what to think.

So here’s my request for a Christmas miracle. Can we somehow reach out to each other? Can we empathize with others, can we think critically and conscientiously?

It’s unclear what’s to come of this. I’m grateful the United States at least has a solid enough system in place that ensures chaos doesn’t take over.

Maybe if we all go back to gratitude, if we use that as our frame of reference instead of incensed extremism, we can steady ourselves and move forward amicably and reasonably.

Perhaps that’s far-fetched, but I am on the other side of the world. And that’s my Christmas wish. We can overcome our differences, we can solve our problems, and we can unite across our shared principles and beliefs. Starting with gratitude will make it all the easier.