Do you know how many dumb power point decks I have put together and I insert an image of the road ahead for annual forecasts? Ha ha, I’m a cliche of myself! But you know, that’s not what this is about because I have no ideas how to broadcast the future. All of my friends are upset with the results of the recent election and it’s bad, it’s really, really bad, but I’ve been telling myself and others “GIRD YOUR LOINS MY FRIENDS” because it’s going to be brutal.
All I can say is I plan to outlive these people and my children will definitely outlive these people and their utter disregard for other humans. Pace yourself. Don’t get too anxious and distraught. That’s what they want. They hijack your emotional energy and attention and there’s so much to do. Don’t get that worked up now because it’s going to get worse. For me, I’m trying to turn my attention to a more cold, calculating brain to think through how best to make a difference for the people who are far less safe than I am. Becoming relentlessly super positive is helpful and also avoiding the news and social media. Today’s paper had like twenty articles on the current president and photos of his face — I mean, dude, I don’t need to see it.
So I’m going to to try to stay on top of the news but not check that often and not necessarily read anything in depth. I told my friend Becca today the idea I had in my mind was it’s like I’m driving a car with my eyes closed, like I have to open them once in a while to make sure I’m still on the road. This is not a sound analogy — or a recommended way to drive, but I’m going to try it out and see if it both protects my spirit for a wee bit and helps me stay engaged.
Who the heck knows. It’s true like you don’t get to win everything in life too. Sometimes, you try your very best and you don’t get the girl, the promotion, the prize, whatever that is. Sometimes, things do not work out. That’s always a possible outcome, but you still have to try, don’t you? And I’m lucky because I am currently at a job where I am accessing my full humanity and am trying to advocate for messages that help people feel safe with information that details their legal rights and with just expressions of solidarity. That feels very fortunate.