Ah, a new year…so much hope, so much opportunity, so much possibility, so much resolve…so much division, so much hatred, so much violence, so much vitriol…so before I go any further, let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room, the GOP elephant that is, and the polarization and extreme partisanship that reached a breaking point on Wednesday when our nation’s “leader” incited and rationalized violence in the form of an attack on the US Capitol, an assault on the pillars of democracy upon which our great country stands, insulting democracy and patriotism in the process.
Obviously these ridiculous goings on raised an important question for me as I wrote something called “Feel-Good Friday”: how does one feel good about anything after that colossal clusterf-ck?
Clusterf-ck notwithstanding, there are some obvious “knock wood” answers to the question, things like a) waking up on the right side of the grass (knock wood), b) good health of self and loved ones (knock wood), and c) financial stability (knock wood).
There are also some less obvious answers to the question, like a) having a curiosity and intellect that values questions, facts, and reason; b) my commitment to thinking about and working things through vs knee-jerking and spewing; c) the random message I received the other day saying "right on" as I was speaking up on a “controversial” topic in a meeting; and d) getting Barack Obama’s book in the mail yesterday...I could go on, but I suspect I’ve made my point.
Before the world went to hell Wednesday afternoon, I went to a funeral in the morning—which was sad of course but which also gave me some uplifting perspective in two key ways: 1) I had some quiet spiritual time to reflect on the world, my place it in, and how I’m filling the space I’m in and 2) it reminded me of the value of relationships old and new, relationships that get tended to in fits and starts and in varying ways…but as long as there’s a thread that connects you, some tie that binds, you can always use that string…to make a tin-can phone call, to hoist each other up, whatever.
Even in a moment of profound sadness, there were two substantive things to feel good about.
Anyway…I’m not a big resolutions gal, never have been, never will be. The start of a new year is accompanied by the unnecessary pressure of a meaningless starting line…yet a new year starts for me every day…why should I wait until January 1st of next year to commit to whatever? Why wait for positive change? Why deprive myself of the opportunity to feel good about doing something?
I had a pretty remarkable 2019. To sum up, I participated in an awesome professional development program which for me was a pretty deep exploration into myself, focused on self-understanding and personal growth through both individual reflection and group experience. The program took place throughout the year but the schedule was organized around four week-long intensive global “residencies.” These four residencies were in:
China (Lijiang, bonus days Beijing) in March,
The US (Vail, CO, bonus days in Denver with a team rafting and camping trip before we went to Vail) in May,
Italy (Baveno, bonus weekend in Munich before and long vacation after in Italy with Kerri) in August, and
Japan (Kyoto, Yugawara, and Tokyo, with a bonus long weekend in Tokyo) at the end of September into October.
I tell you this because the experience I had in 2019—the lessons I learned and relationships I cultivated—proved to be absolutely crucial to my mental resilience when it came to weathering the supershitstorm that the universe delivered us in 2020. Since the world is still upended-bordering-on-unhinged, I fully expect that many of those same lessons will inform how I respond in 2021 and beyond; my 2019 experience gave me the tools I need to feel good about today, and every day. The experience changed me, for good.
So with that as background, in addition to what I feel good about and already discussed up above, I feel good about three things in general this Friday:
The three (so far) bourbon cocktails with apple cider vinegar that I’ve tried, one of which I conjured up on my own (I call it the Red Hot Buddha). Since ACV has alleged health properties, I’m putting it in my bourbon drinks and considering them healthy/medicinal.
Not giving heart or headspace to hypocritical assholes. If you support Trump unconditionally then you love me conditionally. My life is too short to waste time on that shit. So if you think I’m being rude or aloof or whatever, I am merely defending my values and protecting myself. Because I think the things you believe in are anti-humanity. Especially after Wednesday—if you try to rationalize or excuse anyone’s behavior...
Tank’s Good News on Insta. It’ll fill your feed and your heart with happy. There’s so much (overlooked) good in this world. Check it out—you won’t regret it.
I’ll send you into the weekend with this, just because. A little hokey? A lot hokey? Either way the message is an especially great one for where we are right now, and I think the video is a fun watch.
Have a great weekend, keep on dancing, and treat people with kindness (even if they’re bigoted, hypocritical, inhuman assholes).
Such a great post! Thank you for sharing. The photos brought back the best memories. Not a day goes by for me without thinking about the learnings and experiences from GLP!