If it seems like I’m not taking the current political situation seriously, that isn’t true. I feel it. It hurts. It’s wretched. I wish I could fix it, undertake some sort of violence that would set the world right. I feel bad, for at least some amount of time, every day. Feels worst in the lead-up to going into work on Monday – Sunday night, Monday before dawn. Composing this on a Sunday, back on the 2nd.
But there are some facts that are very important to keep in mind. Most of us are going to be able to live the rest of our lives just fine, whatever hardships this may add. We can prepare ourselves in various practical ways for a lot of bad things, but not all of them. Worrying is not preparing; it’s just hurting yourself. I know, you can’t avoid it completely. I sure can’t either. But we have to minimize its impact on our lives.
Frankly, if we don’t, the terrorists win – to borrow a cheesy slogan from the post 9-11 era. The fascists love it when we think about them all the time, when we show fear, even when we show anger. Were you ever bullied? Same deal. I don’t love living in fear of what the bastards will do next, but I really don’t love the fact they can crank their hogs to the signs of my fear.
We have to oppose them. I do think almost all the methods we were using before still have a place in practice now. We might have to add some new tricks. Keep up the good work, when and how and if you can. And if you can’t? Do your best to survive and thrive. Anything you can do to make your life as good as it can be, that does matter. It is a victory in this larger war, on one small but very important battlefield.
Meanwhile, what can we do to ease our worries? I’m still trying to find things that work for me. Obviously, I’ve been throwing myself into creativity, and plan to continue that as much as possible. Even so, tonight I find myself feeling kinda ill, my viscera trembling like a fall leaf. Keep in mind I wrote this days ago, so reassurance belated and probably unnecessary when you read it.
At least I have a posse. I have a blue state behind me, I have a union, I have my comrades here. It doesn’t feel real some days, but other times, it really helps me. I know a lot of you don’t have all of those reassurances. But you do have a comrade in me, for what I’m worth. Let’s keep this life going, together.
Drop suggestions for ways to feel better, even if they only work a little bit. Add ’em all up, that’s something. See you later!
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