As the mid-terms rapidly approach, and trump continues to spew lies and threats to his cult followers, and his co-conspirators at the injustice department make clear their intention to disrupt a fair election process, my anxiety level rises to new levels. I at times feel as if my head is spinning around like Linda Blair in The Exorcist. It is then that I need to step back and breathe. Then remind myself of the bigger picture. And that despite all the horrors of this moment in time—so corrupted and cruel because of men like trump and his sycophants—that life is still worth living.
Of course, people (I include myself) can often be small-minded, self-centered, and mean spirited, but I still hold that for the most part, we all (or most) mean well and try to do the right thing. Though I would never claim to be an optimist, I do believe in the ability of our species to gradually improve and move our world and culture toward a more just and kinder society. I also must at the same time contain the thought that the above is possibly an entirely false assumption. And that the world is careening toward self-destruction. The weight of empirical evidence is clearly on the side of coming chaos if we don’t quickly change our ways and take care of the planet and stop killing each other.
Like many others, I choose to practice selective self-deception. It’s either that or wallow in despair, scream hysterically at unseen gods, or like the most pitiful among us take out our anger on those around us with words and weapons. The last couple years have tested our patience. I struggle every day to keep my head up and find comfort where I can: With family and friends and idle conversations, with art and writing, with entertainment—good books and even great television dramas. An escape from reality? Yes, but why not. Then there’s work and travel and, of course, love. If you’re feeling despair or agita, please read “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl, a holocaust survivor and philosopher.
Sure, life might be difficult and uncertain right now. The urge to scream at the headlines may be over-powering—I urge you to go ahead and do it. But then go for a walk and breathe. The moments of joy and connection, and love will keep us going long after a clownish fool has faded from memory.
Oh, and if you haven’t yet voted—come on, dude!
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