I had some thoughts.

Hello, everyone. Well, it looks like we might be heading into some difficult times again. I don’t want to make predictions about how difficult or how bad, partly because I think it’s irresponsible, but I wanted to talk about the plan going forward. I’m not talking about the plan for Kakos or any of my other projects. I’m talking about our plan. Your plan and my plan. 

I feel the need to insert a disclaimer here. You see, I don’t think that I’m a great person to give anyone advice. I tend to be much better at identifying problems than solving them. And I have plenty of my own that have defied solving for a long time. That being said, we’ve been here before. 

I also recognize that there are so many of you who listen to me that I will never know. I will never know who you are, what you like about my work, what keeps you listening from month to month, or how these words will find you. All I ask is that you listen with compassion for yourself and others, or you skip it. 

So if you’ll permit me to make some suggestions, here they are.

1. Step one. You have to take care of yourself first and make self care a priority, whatever that means. Exercise however you can. Sleep hygiene. Eat. The universe has given you permission to eat nutritious food. The universe has given you permission to sleep eight hours. Explore mindfulness meditation and loving kindness if you need something to help when you’re alone. If you’ve been going through a difficult time, if you can possibly afford it, give yourself time to do nothing. Do not push yourself when you are running on empty. That shit is the old us and we’re not doing it anymore. Don’t get glued to the news. Check in once a week if that’s what you can handle. There will be new stupidity every day. That’s the point. It is supposed to be exhausting. It is supposed to be outrageous. Don’t get caught up in it. Don’t let the world keep you stuck in a cycle of  anxiety. Bad things will happen, but we have to wait for them to happen to fix them.
2. Step two. Check on your people if you have extra energy. Remind them that they are not alone. Set up recurring get togethers, whether in person or online. Don’t leave it up to later-you to make the next plan. Have a standing arrangement and stick to it. Even if you are the worst person on the planet, the Universe has given you permission to reach out to other people. You are allowed to make friends. You are allowed to find new communities. Join the Kakos discord. Join the communities for all of the other podcasts you like. Join groups for any interests you have. Get on Meetup.com.  Make dinner for your friends every week. Keep your DND schedule. I’m going to emphasize the importance of in-person meetings if you can make that happen. Our communities are going to be the things that keep us strong.
3. Step three. If you’re doing well with steps one and two, then you can move on to step three. Step three is volunteering with groups in your area. Help with the homeless. Help with queer youth. Help with marginalized communities. Join a political action group that vibes with your beliefs. Helping others can help you to feel like an active member of your society, and it will feel less like things are just happening to you when you are doing what you can to make your own community a stronger, happier, and healthier place.

Please recognize what step you are at and own it. If you are on step one, then do step one. If you are at step one for the next two years, then be at step one. Keep in touch with your friends. Keep your appointments. They’re better for you than you might realize.

I’ve also put together a series of thoughts that I think are useful in this time as well as any other.

• Improving yourself is not an endorsement of the global or local political environment. 
• Seeing friends and having fun is not an endorsement of the global or local political environment
• Sleeping well is not an endorsement of the global or local political environment.
• Having moments of joy and peace is not an endorsement of the global or local political environment. 
• Having relationships and romance is not an endorsement of the global or local political environment. 
• Creation is not an endorsement of the global or local political environment.
• Living your life is not an endorsement of the global or local political environment. 
• Valuable lessons you learn are not an endorsement of the global or local political environment. If difficult times get you to do something good for yourself or the world, you don’t owe the difficult times a single thing.

If any part of this is useful to you, then it is yours. It is your idea. You came up with it. Modify it. Share it. Do with it as you will.

I’m not the person to ask about why we’re here and why we’re doing any of this. I don’t know what’s good in life and I’ve never known inner peace. But I’m old enough now to know that we get through difficult times the same way we get through everything else: one day at a time, with our focus on the things that matter the most to us.

May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be free from suffering.