ACT-ACT-ACT

While I was driving my kids to school, my daughter Camilla asked me for my opinion on a recent news story. Usually in the morning, after I've managed the feat of waking up, getting everyone dressed, and preparing a loaf of bread for snacks and breakfast (and then striding to the car), I tend not to have many opinions on any issue, whether national or international, even though the news on the radio does indeed bombard me with various horrific stories. It may be harsh to say, but lately I've tended to justify the fact that I no longer react very warmly to the world's injustices.

So I respond like this: "I've realized that I can't take action on all the world's issues. I just try to be a good person, doing the best I can, wherever I am." And I add, adding a touch of philosophy, the inevitable quote: "My grandfather—and your great-grandfather—always said that if you worry about everything, you'll never have time to solve anything." But that's not enough, because, getting out of the car, Camilla leaves me with a new existential doubt. "No, Dad, it's no longer enough to hide by saying I'm a good person, too easy," then she insists that we must act and slams the door... which echoes... act-act-act... I'll leave you as I left you... Have a nice day!
 

Andrea Gotico
NP December 2025