(Originally published Feb. 25, 2017)
Please don’t try and act normal in the midst of insanity!
Denying how we are feeling to all the acts of aggression, the bullying, the attacks on human rights, the dismantling of reality will cost us dearly. There is too much to process these days so we must be fluid. When you hear, see, or read something that activates you say out loud, “That scares the hell out of me” (it does to many of us), or “I’m so fucking angry” (so many of us are) or “I am just heart broken” (how can we not be). When you say it out loud, or dance it or sing it, speak it so your body can feel the resonance of the emotion you are naming. This will help it move through you. Then, carry on with your day.
If we don’t do this we will either become stressed, reactive, angry and edgy (many of us are) or depressed, detached, and despairing (many of us are). Taking care of our mental health is the best way to keep our “feet on the streets.” We need to do this to not just fight against this oppression and nationalism, but to also become more socially active and engaged in the care of our diverse communities.
Blessings, Patrick
Facebook post, Feb 25, 2017