The Decision Is Real

I'm going to call it a decision, rather than a struggle. The decision is real because when I woke up this morning, the first thing I saw was this draft (for Instagram) that I had planned on posting today:

"Hello Sunshine! Have a beautiful day! 💛 ☀️ xo!
#sunshine #flowers #goodday #positivity #positivevibes #positiveenergy #instamood #smile #Love"

Within seconds, I also saw the news. Trump supporters had rolled into Portland, instigating violence and antagonizing others with paint guns and bear mace. One of them had been killed. The president tweeted sympathies. (Stop.) He has displayed a complete LACK of sympathy for COUNTLESS others killed while peaceful protesters have been demonized, abused and murdered as well. NOW there is a sympathy tweet? "HOW DARE YOU?" - was the most polite thought that came to mind. How dare you use someone's death to feign concern, then hide behind that facade when those you ignore and oppress are rightfully enraged by your complete BULL. Meanwhile, scores of spin doctors go to work propagating false narratives designed to take advantage of our basic human frailties and desires to lash out and blame someone. They turn Truth inside out and have people fighting AGAINST their own values!

I maintain that our actions and our mindset are choices we make. THEY do not have to be a struggle. We can choose to act with positive energy, self care, happiness, kindness, understanding and Love. This DOES NOT mean we need to be silent or complicit about any of the issues we are passionate about.

We can fight hard and also adjust the level of our personal emotions to whatever degree we choose or can tolerate. We know our own breaking point. Let's keep the gauge within the realm of survival, and stand strong. Our interiors need strength in order to make "good trouble" externally.

I posted my original "sunshine" post. NO ONE is going to stop me from spreading Love.

Thus fortified, my eyes open wider to injustice and deliberate deception. It absolutely disgusts me to see opportunists selling what I call "fake empowerment." How on earth any person or group of people can manage to take their hate and craving for power and supremacy, repackage it in the form of self-righteousness and Christian values, then capitalize on people's fear, frustration and sometimes ignorance, is almost beyond comprehension. As sickening as this is, we can not allow it to make US sick.

Nourish yourself - then fight like hell. Stand in your truth and stand in Love. Find strength in positivity and happiness. Follow joy. Don't be afraid to glow. SHINE ON. Don't get lost in it. Feed on it. Balance. Then take that strength and...

KICK.

HATE'S.

ASS.

We are tasked with healing the world.

Love,
T

#Biden2020 #DumpTrump #Vote #StayStrong #StaySafe

Outward Appearances

You might think, "Aw! Look at that happy family!"

You might just as easily gasp and exclaim, "WHERE ARE THEIR MASKS?! How could they put everyone else in danger like that!?" and get mad as hell.

Meanwhile... after trying to record our next little family video without success and a series of other frustrations, we needed a mental health break.

It had been our second or third day's attempt at recording the new song for a variety of reasons, some of which I have chosen to forget, including someone needing ice for a bumped head, the screeching of nonsense words instead of lyrics or pleasant sounds, phone storage running out of space and/or a toy piano crashing to the floor. You get the idea.

It was "one of those days" when nothing was going smoothly and everything turned into a drama. I had just finished cleaning up some kind of accidental mess with the vacuum when Zachary decided to play "leaf blower" with the vacuum hose, which was all well and good until he swung it down too hard and sent a plume of dirt and dust particles flying all over the living room and into his hair. Oh - and did I fail to mention this was after I had already given him an unexpected shower for some other sticky mess (under protest) that morning?

We really just had to leave the house before mommy lost it completely.

Dogs were let out, sunscreen was applied, camera and masks were grabbed, and we set off in search of some pretty flowers to take pictures of. The car steered itself toward the beach. I had no idea if it was even open.

It was, but without this year's parking pass, we parked almost a mile away and I still wasn't sure we would make it, or if we would encounter too many people along the way. Although prepared to turn around, we were able to walk along a grassy stretch without anyone coming close and once we made it to the beach, there were very few people, all sufficiently spread out. Zachary had a blast in the sand, making a fine mess to his heart's content, and I had a much needed detox and break. The water is so beautiful and calming.

It was the perfect reset button.

My point is that in times like these, we might choose to remember that things aren't always what they seem and we would do well to exercise a little patience with others. We never know what kind of day they're having - regardless of their smile.

Love,
T

Speaking Season

Don't let the mask fool you. I can speak just as clearly with it on.

Now is not quiet time. 

Speak up. Don't be afraid. Don't be intimidated. Don't be discouraged. 

It will not be my full time job to argue with people who disagree.

A difference will be made and I will be a part of THAT. There will be no time allotted for haters.

We are all human brothers and sisters and we are going to work together towards fixing this - all of it - the best we can. It will not be perfect. We are, and always will be, a work in progress.

Gotta go. There's a convention that's about to begin. 

Love,

T

Tattered...

It's tattered and torn, but still illuminated from within and leaning toward the sun. There was a lot of that around the neighborhood this week.

We were among those fortunate to have not lost power.

Hundreds of thousands of households JUST got back up and running today (Sunday, as I write this).

What's truly amazing is the ability to persevere...

and the new growth precipitated by the rain.

Love,
T

Life and a Hula Hoop

Let's keep things simple.

If at first you don't succeed, try again. Then stick with what works.

Be happy.

Love, 

T

P.S. 

Duct tape didn't work. 

A new hose did.

:) xo!