Column: Finding solace during unsettling times

Given widespread, high-stakes global belligerence, the effects of climate change, disruption of resources and growing social divisiveness, these are most unsettling times. I have never thought of myself as alarmist or a pessimist. Rather my effort is to see things as they truly are, to do what I might to be part of the solution and to remain pragmatic. Still, red flags abound.