Practicing Self-care During a Fraught Election Campaign

I am determined to maintain as much of my equilibrium and hope during what is proving to be - in combination with the two wars that appear to have no endings in sight - a comprehensively distressing and disturbing election season. It is far from easy and many of my friends appear to be struggling to varying degrees with the same challenge. Just this morning I received an email from a Parisian friend in which she makes it clear that she, too, is feeling undone by what is happening in her country. Another much newer friend from my recent trip to Germany with my wonderful traveling companion, John Reiff, wrote of her woe about her homeland. She made the point of finding hope in the peaceful, yet unquestionably exuberant atmosphere accompanying the EuroCup Tournament taking place in Germany. Of course, i had to ask her how her fellow citizens were responding to the loss to Spain yesterday, 2-1.

I am currently embarked upon a mission - to celebrate my 1st cousin (son of my dad’s sister, Helen) Harold’s 80th birthday. I know it will be a grand way to find solace and hopefully to discover family I’ve never met - if i make it to Baltimore. The Amtrak train I’m on was on time and doing well all the way to New Haven where we were told there’s been a power outage and the amount of time we’d be spending before continuing to New York and beyond was unknown and unknowable. Thankfully, after an hour and a half, the train resumed the journey, but it remains unclear if/when we’ll arrive in Baltimore and whether i will get to the party in time to surprise my cousin whom i haven’t seen in half a century, along with his children and grandchildren. In fact right now we’re stopped again outside of New Rochelle where we are to learn whether the power outage has been solved.

All of which is doing a fine job distracting me from what has already taken a large toll on my peace of mind, which is what self-care is all about. So… i am well aware of the sources of strife, uncertainty and fear that surround us all. What I am trying to do is stay focused on what i can influence, which is mostly about paying enough attention to not be undone by any big surprises globally and nationally, while working locally on projects that provide meaning to my life as well as camaraderie and enjoyment. Coupled with the pursuit of my passions, I am being able, most of the time, to stay outside/above/beyond the fracas. I very purposely chose not to watch the debate or read the pundits who have decided Biden must be replaced - yet, despite it all, Biden remains vehement about staying the course. I will work tirelessly for whomever is nominated, because even though Trump is now proclaiming to be ignorant of the fascist prescription a.k.a. Project 2025, he is the candidate of those who created the frightening document.

And… I don’t want to spend my waking or dreaming moments in dread. Having distractions like being with beloved friends, playing the piano, riding my bike, hiking, spending this coming week ‘til Friday with my wife, Susan, in Saugerties, NY at our daughter’s airbnb all feel most welcome and most engaging. It is my hope that you are finding your ways to do self-care and to find sources of hope.