Life is shit

But is that bad?

In a recent email from a former student living abroad in Germany, she fretted about the uncertainty of her future. Like most of us, she wants direction, a clear path, a guarantee of the future she’s worked so hard to attain.

After entertaining her specific angst, she listed her joys: family and friends, community, her education, a good meal, travel. “Life is still shit,” she remarked, “but it’s not that bad.”

Americans with any empathy are shellshocked from in the political chaos of the last couple weeks. We might agree that life is shit right now. Especially in the United States.

Every day we’re bombarded with more “flood the zone” bullshit. Astute political analysts are calling the unchecked power given to billionaires a coup, saying that this is a revolt to the conscious evolution, what the philosopher Joanna Macy calls the great turning of humanity toward a new way of being.

Photo by Miguel Bruna on Unsplash

This political revolt against our evolution stormed DC like toddlers, stomping their feet to get more of what they already have. And now these brats are actively re-segregating America, stripping funds (and jobs) from scientific research and organizations that were constructed to elevate humans, threatening educators and aid workers.

The onslaught of executive orders and unchecked rhetoric (like turning Gaza into a resort town) is striking fear and chaos into citizens until they are so paralyzed and overwhelmed, they simply ignore it (no judgment here; we gotta do what we can to survive).

But what if we took another perspective

Go with me for a sec, ok?

Follow my former student’s wisdom. What if this shit is not so bad?

We compost dried leaves, rotten food, overgrown brush, and over time, this new material nurtures a healthier soil in which to grow food.

What if this too is the great turning?

I don’t know about you, but I have never been so outraged, so unsettled by the destruction of the systems within our government that try to equalize the playing field, so angry about the jobs lost, the fear of our undocumented community and our LGBTQ+ neighbors, and the horror at our spineless politicians folding to the pressure of a new boss.

Yet millions of people are also outraged. And that energy is going to be deposited somewhere. Think of all the incredible things that can happen with all these brilliant people standing up. Lisa Murkowski (R, Alaska) reported that her office has had over 1600 calls a minute railing against the new administration (compared to her typical maybe 40). Some might argue that it’s working.

People are organizing, in person. Gathering in their backyards to figure out how to add their skills to stand up for justice, equity, and democracy.

Yes, yes yes, for most of us, the struggle feels too big, like there’s little we can do right now. Eco-chaplain in training, Nikayla Jefferson reminded me that we can control the places we put our attention. She wakes up every morning asking the question: How can I NOT be a host for chaos and fear?

My answer, you all know me, is always the same. Do something. Get involved. Find your skill and offer it generously. The ACLU, Choose Democracy, labor unions, NGOs, governments, and dozens more are fighting. Reach out. Offer support. Ask what they need (maybe besides money). Organize an affinity group in your backyard to share resources, band together, vent.

An educator friend told me every day she is asking: How can I be a good neighbor today? Who are the people I come in contact with? How am I actively supporting them? Consider how you can show up for your neighbors. Even if they voted in this new administration, they will not be spared the pain of the impacts.

Collective dreaming

I want to close with some collective dreaming, which might be unpopular, but I’ll give it a go. Our system has been flawed for a generation. We’re seeing that Democrats are just politicians, who are just people, who can’t fight alone, who are probably scared too—California’s senator Adam Schiff voted yes to at least one of Trump’s cabinet appointees, and when I wrote him (outraged), I got a long email response; he’s not stupid, he knows his job is on the line because voters have to hold him accountable.

So, if, worst case scenario, the Trump administration detonates our democracy, how can we begin to dream into what we want? How do we move toward a new world? Is it a third party? A representative democracy? How can we prepare to pick up the pieces, lift voices of the oppressed, marginalized community members and find a new structure in a warming world (which should be our first priority)? And how can we do it without being a host to chaos and fear? While being a good neighbor? While taking care of yourself?

Find your people. Get out of isolation. Gather in person. If there’s not a group you can join, create one. We’re all we got.

Reading list:

I am currently reading Hospicing Modernity, which I highly recommend.

The best independent journalism I have found in the past couple weeks come from the following: Wired Magazine, Rebecca Solnit, Heather Cox Richardson, The Ink. Please share yours in the comments.