It’s been a heavy-hearted couple of weeks on the national and world stages. Terrorism and tragedy have become so pervasive this summer it has us all wondering what’s next and how soon will it happen.

We barely had time to contemplate the horror of the dozen Dallas police officers plucked off by a sniper, five of them fatally struck, before Thursday’s news of another terror attack in France. At last count, 85 dead there, and dozens critically injured.

And before Dallas there was the horrendous shooting in the Orlando, Florida, nightclub that killed 49 people. Before that, a string of other senseless killings. In response to several incidents involving police shootings of black citizens, we hear the cry, “Black lives matter” and the counter claim that “All lives matter.”

Add to all of this killing a political arena that borders on the bizarre as a contentious Republican National Convention kicks off Monday.

Analysts are drawing comparisons between 2016 and 1968 on several levels, from the presidential race to social conflict and race issues. Thankfully I was only 12 in 1968 and wasn’t tuned into that volatile time in U.S. history that feels like it’s repeating itself. I wish I were 12 again.

People are growing weary of the virulence that seems to confront us everywhere we turn these days. Enough already.

Even the Summer Olympics, an event I always look forward to as a fun diversion every four years, could be marred by fallout from any number of fiascoes in Brazil, from the Zika virus to the ongoing economic crisis there and reported disorganization as final preparations are made for Rio de Janeiro to host the games.

So what’s a person to do? Is it time to crawl under a rock and fade into a deep sleep with the hope of awakening to a better world?

We have no choice but to keep putting one foot in front of the other, but we can choose to live joyously in spite of evil. We can make an effort to be gracious and kind to everyone who crosses our path.

After the terror attack in Nice, France, I wondered out loud if I should keep planning a trip to Europe next summer. That’s when a young co-worker reminded me that if any of us hesitates to keep on living our lives fully, then the terrorists have won. She’s right, of course.

No matter how fearful, how worried we are about the future of our country and the world, we must embrace each day with a grateful heart and fervor for life, remembering that tomorrow is promised to no one. We can live peacefully, and even though it’s been ever elusive since the beginning of time, we can pray for peace.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by email at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.