Yep…God bless and help America. I recently wrote about the concepts of “toxic positivity” and “accurate thinking” and those concepts apply here, I think. America is a great place to live both conceptually and in many practical ways…I love my life here. I manage my small spheres of existence and influence as carefully as I can, to the extent that I’m always trying to find the most peaceful and positive places for myself (to varying degrees of success). But the fact of the matter remains: this isn’t the best of times in America, and this is a very complicated holiday…because freedom isn’t free and not everyone is able to enjoy it equally. And that’s an equity problem. So before I go off and finish this up, publish it, and get the backyard party-ready, I wanted to make sure that I took a pause to think about and reflect on what this holiday means, what it might mean differently to others, and what it doesn’t actually mean. I know some people think I need to enjoy small victories more than I do, but when there’s more work to be done for me acknowledging the win and moving on is my preference. So yeah, we’ve come a long way, but we still have a long way to go, and I think we all have work to do. But I’m only gonna worry about the work I need to do and get to it. In short, I try to be guided by accurate thinking and not let myself get infected by toxic positivity. It (almost always) leaves me feeling appreciative of where I am, excited about what’s still to come, and clear on what I need to do next. Took me a long time to get to this point but here I am…at peace but still wanting to keep moving.
Anyway…about the weekend…damn you, Mother Nature…you did not make it easy! But a little (lot of!) rain and cold weather can’t keep us down. Played some games and watched some soccer…a burger and a beer at a bar for lunch on Friday…out to dinner on Saturday…tried to get pizza again on Sunday (no luck)…and Saturday’s cookout is being held today (not exactly summer weather but not dreadful either). But I will tell you that after having to add water to the pool last week it really chapped me to have to pump it down yesterday. That. Much. Rain. 🤦🏼♀️
This morning, I debated doing the obvious Maiku:
Rain, rain, and more rain.
Thunder. Lightning. Cold. More rain.
Wait. Here comes the…rain.
I mean, yesterday I heard that it was 60 on July 3rd, which was the same temperature as it was on…Christmas. Honest to God. At least today isn’t going to be a total wash.
Climate change is real but just don’t call it global warming.
The weekend is going by way too fast, so I’m gonna go get ready, make the best of the remaining time with my Michigan family, and have fun partying out back this afternoon with them and the extended family (Team Richardson!) for the first time in way too long.
Keeping it brief again, because a) you just heard from me and b) it’s a holiday. I leave you with my deep thanks and appreciation for your presence here, a wish that you have a banger of a holiday, and this Monday’s Official Maiku (followed by a bonus holiday track):
July 4th, observed.
Going forward, to better.
Real freedom, someday.
Crank it up:
Ok…gotta go make my black bean and corn salsa/salad (what you call it depends on how you eat it).
God bless America. And God help us too. But we’re all in this together and I’m glad to be in it with you.