Annus Horribilis
I hate to put a damper on things, but really? Have you seen the videos of ICE agents literally tearing wives away from husbands and parents away from children?
A deranged, narcissistic, spiteful and shameless man sits in the highest seat of power, oozing hate, literally wrecking the White House and dropping bombs on boats like he’s playing Battleship. I’m telling you nothing you don’t know, of course. But that’s the backdrop. The wallpaper. The scenery. Even as we exchange gifts and wish each other happy new year.
We adapt. We compartmentalize. We scroll too much, shop too much, eat too much, stream too much. There is literally a place in New Jersey called Dopamine Land. Then we buy meditation apps to try to clean out our biological hard drives.
Okay, breathe. Inhale slowly and fully, watch your belly rise, then exhale to the count of 1…2..3…4… Isn’t that better?
We must bear witness. But we must also compartmentalize or we lose our souls. There’s still plenty of sweetness in the world. And still, thank goodness, humor.
P.S. Since it’s also the season of best lists, I leave you with one recommendation. Season 3 of The Rehearsal, with Nathan Fielder. It’s weird and cringy (that’s Fielder) but the last episode is the single most amazing thing I’ve ever seen on television.
You're absolutely right, both as to the horrors and to the need to compartmentalize. We have to find joy where we can and fighr for what we can. Here's hoping for a happy healthy new year. And my recommendation of a terrific tv series is North of North.