11 things with cognitive dissonance making an appearance at the 3.5 mark
1. I started a written gratitude practice just over a month ago. Five things every day. Usually I am too tired and/or forget to do this at night. So in the mornings, I write my five things from the previous day while I'm drinking my coffee. After that, I do the NYT mini crossword and Wordle, wait to see if Desiree Lynn Adaway has posted her Wordle yet, text my Wordle to my kids so they know I'm alive, and move on with my day.
2. Somehow this is easier to write about than the Department of Homeland Security's statement about the "heightened threat environment" in the United States: "Targets of potential violence include public gatherings, faith-based institutions, the LGBTQI+ community, schools, racial and religious minorities, government facilities and personnel, U.S. critical infrastructure, the media, and perceived ideological opponents."
3. Gratitude and Wordle.
4. Proud Boys and assault rifles.
5. Somewhere between #3 and #4 lies the cognitive dissonance of living in an increasingly dystopian society.
6. I made myself laugh today. I mean that literally. I just began laughing for no reason and kept going until I was laughing for real at nothing for no reason other than the laughter felt so damn good in my body and spirit and gave my mind a rest.
7. When Chalupa is barking and growling at the open dishwasher door, she is doing her job. She wants us to be safe. She is working so hard to protect us. Bless her heart. (h/t to Patti Digh – I cannot write those three words without thinking of her.)
8. But we all know Chalupa doesn't have all of the information. The dishwasher door poses no threat. We are not under siege. No swift action need be taken. Sweet pup. What a relief, when she realizes we are in charge and she can relax.
9. So too with our brains. So much of what we react to is not in fact dangerous. How good to be able to tell the difference, so that in light of #2, we can respond accordingly to the very real threats, psychological, physical, and otherwise.
10. How *do* we respond accordingly when we actually ARE under siege? Back to gratitude, I give thanks for those who offer deep and nuanced analysis, tactical and tangible strategies for organizing, and imaginative and creative visioning for a future that has us not only survive, but thrive.
11. I have just one word left tonight: Solidarity.