Protecting my energy. I stay informed. I listen to my gut. I filter. If I continually allow myself to be thrown from center, I have nothing. I need energy for my family. For my work. And for creative projects that bring joy into the world. My life requires emotional discipline right now. I am good for nothing if I am distracted and triggered like popcorn- I cannot afford to have pieces of my soul strewn about.
Resisting participation in polarization. Some days I feel angry. Some days I feel hopeful. Some days I feel deathly afraid for the world and what the lives of my kid and my friends’ kids and their kids might be. Some days I feel inspired by acts of courage and kindness. Some days I feel devastated by acts of cruelty. I feel all of it. And I repeatedly return to a place of calm. I choose to place my concern carefully. In places I feel it will make a difference. I witness for people in pain. I protest. I write. Propaganda is a wall of destruction. I refuse to prop it up.
Having discourse that strengthens human connection. I have hard and powerful conversations with people who share my beliefs. I have rich and connecting conversations with people who don’t- and I choose to attend to the places where our values overlap even when our facts do not. I am grateful for people who’s voices are louder and who’s courage looks different than mine right now. We are all needed.
Choosing joy over despair, courage over fear, and love over hate. I recognize this is a privilege we do not all share. And I try not to squander it. Every second, every minute. Every day.