The truth is that this is the fifth time I’ve started writing this to you, and not out of perfectionism (at least, I don’t think so). Even though I love writing, I’ve been procrastinating on sending you something, and even when I finally start, I feel like I’m trying to push a noodle up the wall with my nose. 

So I had a brief little chat with my Inner Wisdom/Higher Coach/Higher Power and asked for some guidance. 

What’s happening here in the U.S. feels very chaotic and upsetting to me these days, and ignoring that seems tone deaf. Everyone I talk to is struggling with how to be a concerned, informed citizen without losing their damn minds.

The impact to our mental and emotional health, and therefore to physical health, is real. I still believe I have to put on my oxygen mask first. But in the current chaos of the Trump/Musk nonsense, it’s hard to believe I even have an oxygen mask. 

I often feel helpless, powerless and hopeless. I call my senators. I attended a town hall meeting with my representative for my House district. But it does not alleviate the anxiety; if anything, it stirs it up. 

So, if you’ve been trying to figure out how to be a concerned, informed, active citizen and not lose your damn mind, I do not have answers for you. I can only share the lightning bolt insight that occurred to me just a few moments ago. 

I woke up knowing that I had to figure out this newsletter and also knowing that it wasn't really working in its previous drafts #1-4.

So. 

I asked my Inner Wisdom/Higher Power for some guidance about this damn newsletter, specifically saying something like, “Show me where you would have me be and where I can be of maximum service.” Actually, first I shut my eyes and tuned into the sound of the rain on my roof, and then chuckled to myself and thought, “Wow, I’ve been talking a lot, maybe it’s time to listen, eh?” Then I said my little prayer. 

And then I promptly picked up my phone. (Seems like a bad sign, right? But it wasn't!)

I responded to a text from a friend who’s a writer and admitted I was having some writer’s block. Then I started scrolling through my email (100% avoidance) and saw this email notification for a huge clearance sale at an art store just down the street from me. Tons of pictures of fun things to create with. I forwarded the notice to friends of mine who like to create, and thought: Creation is better than news. And better than chaos. 

This is what I’m going to do today. Try some creating instead of tuning into news chaos. I can do that tomorrow, but I don’t have to do it now. I am fortunate that I am not currently impacted directly by the Trump/Musk nonsense. Someday in the future, I will feel the impact directly. For today, I’m choosing the oxygen mask in the form of starting a mosaic and checking out the fun little art store sale as well. 

I asked for guidance and I got it. It wasn’t even that hard. I just had to admit that I was pushing a noodle up the wall with my nose and allow the guidance a brief moment to get my attention. 

May you ask for and find the guidance you need today, through whatever source speaks to you. 

Oh, and Happy St Patrick’s Day. May the luck of the Irish be with you, too.