It’s a sure thing in life that if you have a bright idea (like writing new lyrics to an old song) that somebody wonderful will have the same idea too.
It’s a sure thing that I’ll end each blog post with gratitude, so thanks to Dolly Parton, everyone else who contributed to the development of the COVID vaccines, all the people I follow on Twitter, the Man from U.N.C.L.E., the Daily Bitch, dogs, cats, Brené Brown, Susan David, and YOU!
If you got nothing better to do this Friday, February 5, between 7 – 9 PM Eastern Standard Time, here’s the sign-up link to be in the audience to hear me sing those lyrics and more:
Gliding past President Donald Trump’s sexist depictions of her as “mean” and “nasty,” the senator from California shredded Trump’s White House record with the agility that comes from her years as a courtroom prosecutor. Yet she delivered those critiques with bright notes of hope and optimism — accentuated by the smiles that are expected from female politicians.
… and because of this mask:
I’m also thinking of the smiles (and other facial expressions) I’ve been having about “We Have Her Back” , a memo sent by a coalition of powerful women to the news media calling for anti-sexist and anti-racist reporting, which includes this:
“Women have been subject to stereotypes and tropes about qualifications, leadership, looks, relationships and experience. Those stereotypes are often amplified and weaponized for Black and Brown women.”
I smile thinking how often the current President of my group therapy organization and I tell each other that we’ve got each others backs. I also smile thinking about this bag I gave her last year:
Now, my smiles are related to all the pre-pandemic photos I went through in order to find that one.
The sunshine in my life includes family, friends, my work as a group therapist, cats, music, this blog, humor, nature, good memories, the riches of the present moment, persistent hope about the future, and a helpful stance of curiosity.
The hurricane in my life includes the imminent death of our sweet, plucky, and ailing kitty Oscar; losses of good friends; bureaucracies; corrupt world leaders; social injustice; the coronavirus pandemic; and yet another taxes-related fiasco (the IRS rejecting our e-filed return yesterday because “your spouse’s birthday doesn’t match the IRS records”).
When I was freaking out and focusing on the hurricane yesterday, my spouse (whose birthday SHOULD match the IRS records!!!!) said to me:
“What is it that you tell your patients? Nothing is actually hurting you now. I think the taxes glitch will be easily resolved.”
My spouse brings so much sunshine into my life, even during the hurricane.
Do you see sunshine and/or hurricane in these images from July 4, 2020?
letting you know I’ve never written a “Responsibilities” post before,
facilitating two Coping and Healing groups at work, and
sharing my photos from yesterday (which has recently become more difficult, for some unknown reason, and I don’t know if WordPress or my laptop are responsible).
My responsibilities, here and now, include telling you that “Responsibilities” was the topic chosen by yesterday’s Coping and Healing group, and that this is what I wrote in response to the question “What is your personal experience of responsibilities?”
I can be over responsible, which can get in the way of enjoying the present moment. “What do I have to do right now?” “Nothing except be here, now, as best I can.” I am going to ask myself that question, with that answer, more often.
What is your personal experience of responsibilities?
I have a few more blogging responsibilities right now: inviting you to be kind,
sharing this photo of Michael’s delicious chicken parmesan from last night,
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 