When the days have become horrific, and the world is in the throes of angst and agitation, all we can do is hold tight to loved ones, and take a moment to simply breathe. A daily meditation is barely enough, but it’s the enough that counts, not the barely. In the flickering candlelight, I sit on the floor and slow my breathing. Eventually, with each elongating inhalation and exhalation, the mind clears, or at least stalls its racing thoughts.
A moment of mindfulness feels as silly as it does imperative for my own mental health and emotional well-being. At fifty, I know myself well enough to know how to navigate such trying times, but this past week has been especially challenging. Mostly I’ve felt rage and anger at the injustice of it all. It’s important to acknowledge that, at least for my mental processing. I don’t say it often enough, and I don’t express it, but I know I have to get it out. Maybe this post will be enough to let the rage subside. Maybe it will be enough to let the anger go. It doesn’t fix anything, it doesn’t change the world. It makes it easier for me to reach out again to others, to be a better husband, son, brother, uncle and friend.
And I’m sad – sad at the state of our country, our world. It helps to say that out loud too.
Finally, I’m tired. Exhausted of all of it. I haven’t given up… but I’m tired. It takes a toll.
That makes me human.
I wish more of us remembered and honored that humanity.
