Song du Jour: "Everybody Knows" by Leonard Cohen, Sung by Sigrid

I just barely saw "Justice League" last night so I'm probably late to the game on this one but I've fallen in love with Sigrid's version of "Everybody Knows." It's no secret I'm a fan of Leonard Cohen and it's not just his voice - the lyrics he wrote have a way of cutting just straight to your heart. Of describing everything you're feeling during a very specific time in your life. "Everybody Knows" has captured that heavy feeling that I've had since June 2015. Even though I wasn't especially pro-Hillary, I thought it was beautiful that SNL used Cohen's "Hallelujah" as a way to sort of say "the fight isn't over," even though the general tone of that song is more resignation to, rather than acceptance of, a dire situation.I was very disappointed that day - and looking back at all that has happened in the past year, I feel justified in feeling that way.

"Everybody Knows" is saying just that - everybody knows there's something wrong, everybody knows that things are not okay, but that doesn't change anything. To me, it seems like there's a lot of that feeling going around. And I'm not just talking about the general state of the world and not just in US politics and society (although, every day, there's something even more surreal on the news). This kind of cosmic darkness has filtered down and settled in parts of my own life. I'm working harder than ever but it seems like that's not good enough. My best isn't good enough. I'm feeling undervalued, I know I'm underpaid, but I continue because I'm hoping things will get better soon. But I'm losing that faith, that optimism or whatever you'd call it -- and I don't want that to happen. I've always thought I was a hopeful person - perhaps a little idealistic (okay....maybe a lot idealistic) but generally, I thought things would just get better if you keep working hard and stay positive. Lately I feel like - if the world ended tomorrow, that would be the least of it. Just another Monday.

I've been trying to stay away from the news. It's hard, because I'm addicted to Twitter, and thus addicted to the misery and drama of it all. It's just been kind of fueling this belief that bad things happen and no one cares and it's not going to get better. But I want it to get better and I want to help make it better. And I can't do that without hope.

Even though I fell asleep halfway through, I'm pretty sure I just summed up the moral lesson of "Justice League." You're welcome.

I'm including the videos for both the Sigrid version and the Leonard Cohen version. Because they're both a-mazing, in their own way....but you already knew that ;)

UPDATE: Later in the day, "coalition" forces (i.e., Trump, May, and Macron) decided to bomb Syria. Not sure what casualties, if any, resulted but my heart goes out to the Syrian people. If you're looking for a way to help them, NuDay Syria helps mothers and children affected by the civil war and the resultant conflicts. A $30 donation can provide a baby in Syria with formula and diapers for a month. If you're feeling helpless, consider donating to this or one of the other amazing organization helping people in need.