askyermom

Yes!! Also No!!

Those of us who read a lot of news are already beyond weary of the cusping. We are “on the cusp of a Constitutional Crisis,” or we are “on the verge of a recession,” all the damned time now.

So in that respect, I can say with my teeny authority as an old person who grew up in political upheaval: we are there. We are in the crisis and even if we don’t quite see it yet, we can feel it. It is happening. Ask anyone outside looking in if they see crisis: if you won’t take my word for it, perhaps you will believe it from them. Ask Canada and Mexico for crying out loud.

The news for Maryland this morning included new local measles cases and also a rabid deer alert. This is not normal. Even the weird news is weirder. I don’t even need to mention that we have a Marylander being held overseas without a hearing, because even the less newsy have heard about that news.

Even as we find ourselves in crisis, remember this: panic is reasonable but it is not helpful. Panic uses a lot of energy, but it is the kind of energy that pinwheels in all directions. It can make you spin, but it’s not going to get you where you want to go.

People who predict things are very busy predicting, but the only sure bet is uncertainty. Uncertainty feels terrible and we go to lot of trouble to avoid it. We think things through, and chew over our ideas, but searching for certainty is also a trap, like panic, which uses energy to little benefit.

It is infuriating to watch our big beautiful home be dismantled for parts and profit yet again. Closing and selling off the treasures of our national parks? Outrageous!! Anger is justified and it is a powerful fuel. Don’t just waste it or give it away. (I am very pissed off as I write most of the time now. When I am calm again, I write notes to powerful people and decide carefully how to portion my energy).

We have all been lied to for so long, it sure seems like panic and confusion and fury are unavoidable.

Giving up and quitting public life seem like the only sensible thing to do now, particularly since we already have so many things to deal with privately. Speaking again as an old person, you will regret just as many things that you did not do as things you did do. Sit around and wait for the emergency to knock on your door? Why?

Your emotional reaction is for you to use. Other people will try to steer your fear, but you must deny them that luxury. It belongs to you. Your energy can go toward your own desires and protecting your freedom. It’s up to you to decide what your actions will be.

This is hard work and it is your duty and your responsibility. How will you explain to future generations that you were too busy watching screens and complaining to actually use your voice and your votes?

In a state of fear and rage, your decisions cannot be their best. It’s okay. You can decide what you will do when you’re centered and be ready for when you are not centered. That’s adulthood.

I am not suggesting we continue to learn “how to cope” with oppression. I’m not interested in building emotional bunkers. We do not need to learn to accept the unacceptable.

As individuals, we can speak clearly for ourselves. We can demand freedom and dignity for all people. Not just for ourselves, our family, our neighbors, but for everyone. We cannot have real freedom while oppressing others. We cannot be truly living good lives while doing evil. We also cannot be living good lives while silently allowing evil.

If the Government acts, that means that WE act and our actions must be in the best interests of everyone. We can debate the details, but we should not be stealing, silencing or starving anyone.

We cannot turn away and leave decisions to the wealthy. We already know how that works out for everyone. We must speak up, we must state and restate the values, rules and laws we already bled for.

We need to be rested and clear and strong to stand for our values. If you are panicking, let it pass before you take action.

So is it time to panic? Yes, but don’t panic too long.

Love,
yermom