Taking One’s Own Advice

Fact: we don’t always heed our own advice. Fact: I published a blog post a couple weeks ago, “Stress Relief”, that advised readers to minimize politically induced stress, in part by reducing exposure to the ubiquitous 45 drama. Fact: I failed to heed my own advice and succumbed to political catatonia. But my crazy, quiet week is over and I’m here to share my factual and reflective findings. Game on!

It’s dangerous out there folks. I’m old enough to remember Watergate, although I didn’t truly understand it at the age of 13, and back then I wasn’t sensing the omnipresent fear that people are feeling now, i.e fear that our country has been hijacked by rich, greedy male conspirators. It’s overwhelming to even think this could happen, and now it appears to be highly probable; hence the catatonia I’ve been feeling for the last week.

Although there is presently no hard evidence, there is a ton of circumstantial evidence that points to a conspiracy, at minimum, to affect US and France elections. There is also a distinct possibility that there was/is collusion between the US, Russia et al to reduce Russian sanctions in order to support efforts to drill in the Arctic as part of a conspiratorial multi-billion dollar project.

As if all this drama isn’t enough to send one reeling, we have to contend with continuous 45 fake news, tweet rampages, and attempts to dismantle most, if not all, of the Obama administration’s legislation. How much of this vitriolic chaos can we take? More important, will all the drama cause people to feel disenfranchised, apathetic and immune to it?

I’m so glad you asked! There is a silver lining folks. When you need a break from the insanity—and I’m talking to myself as well as all of you—take stock in yourself and your fellow citizens. Just look at the record-breaking number of people who attended the Women’s March on Washington when 45 stole the election. Look at the number of people attending town halls across the country—even in the red, 45-supporting states! And look at the number of citizens, professional organizations and congressional Republicans who opposed repealing the ACA! We’re not apathetic. Maybe we’re a bit apoplectic from the unbelievable BS that keeps emanating from 45 and his political appointees, but we have not rolled over.

We are rallying at an unprecedented rate of citizen involvement. People like you are reading more, reacting more and responding to rallying cries. We know trouble when we hear and see it, and there’s a 45 crapload of it. So don’t allow yourself to become a victim of political catatonia but rather a participant in political accountability. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!