I’m writing this on 9-8-20, COVID-19 is still alive, drought and winds fuel fires, temps are 60 degrees lower than yesterday, late-night lighting and thunder precede snow warnings, and worry about family, friends, and country occupy my heart. I watch people rebelling for freedom with offensive language and risky behaviors, and I’m tired of it. I want to throw a tantrum and scream, “Stop!” “Please!” “Uncle!” I feel like the cat
hanging onto the last tree branch.

I don’t know about you, but my fuse is short. I’m not one to voice my judgments about what I deem stupid in the world, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have them. I remember Forest Gump’s line, “Stupid is as stupid does.” The first stupid act that comes to mind is the couple who started a wildfire by shooting a box in the middle of a dry grass field that exploded with blue powder to show the gender of their unborn child. Really?

I know you all have your own made me crazy stories.

Many Americans are in a state of mental exhaustion. Their behavior shows they are afraid, stressed, worried, anxious, depressed, and teetering on a high wire. I have two friends in mandatory wildfire evacuation and fear losing everything that won’t fit into their car. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 60% of Americans have chronic diseases and are at high virus risk, while others gather in large groups for fun and freedom. Right now, adding to my frustration, the electricity went off. Now, I can’t get out of the garage, heat coffee, Google something, or charge my phone. The old expression comes to mind, “Just when you think it can’t get worse … .”

I’m rambling, and I want you to do the same. Hopefully, you’re not a loud public complainer, so write your emotions down on paper, or lock the doors on your way to the bathroom and scream at the walls. We can’t be mentally healthy if we hold it all in—and the rest of our world can’t be healthy if we attack, threaten, blame, break the law, hate, or harm.

We are individually and collectively angry, experiencing fear, frustration, hurt, and unfairness. Own it. There is not one thing wrong with anger; it is what you do with it that determines good or evil.

Yesterday, a friend hollered into my car window through the wind, smoke, and mask, “I am so sick of 2020. I can’t wait till it’s over!” Her image and words summed up the challenges: follow COVID-19 guidelines, appropriately express anger, and do so even though Mother Nature is not cooperating. My friend might be my new poster-child for good mental health.

Join me, and hang in here. My electricity just came back on, reminding me many woes are temporary.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

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