Yes, it has been a truly awful week here in the United States. Well, for people who don't like murder, anyway. Nobody wants to be plunged into darkness forever, but the darkness is overwhelming.
Despite my legendary powers of compartmentalization, I've been getting sucked into the lightless abyss. Being too serious and bringing other people down is not my function here or my usual vibe. It's time to work on shooing away all that is curmudgeonly in my late summer psyche.
It's not that I think I should be ignoring all of the very valid reasons to be down, especially after last week. I had a show the night that the Challenger exploded, I learned very early how to balance respect and humor. It's important for those around me that I do that well, and it keeps me off the therapist's couch.
Unless the therapist is a single, attractive female, of course. And the couch is leather.
Paraphrasing the Roman Catholic Act of Contrition, I will be avoiding the near occasion of teeth-grinding in the coming days. I think I have come up with one good way to facilitate that. I begin every day with a gratitude prayer. Admittedly, I am not that present while praying it when the world is just flinging its tragedy and ick around like it has been lately.
Often, I pray during my morning walk. I obviously cover all of the big things for which I am grateful. Starting tomorrow (Thursday), I'm going to focus on praying with greater presence and intention. I will also give thanks for smaller stuff after I've gone through The Big List. That will make me actively seek good things.
I feel better just thinking about doing it.
Maybe I'll watch a comedy this weekend. After tacos.
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