O p e n i n g

Every Autumn here in the Northwest, where the wind can be blustering, I feel a shift. There's a wildness here. Change isn't an easy thing. It's risky and sometimes inconvenient.
Looking at it as an individual, one can feel so alone; but the desire is to want to dive into it. When coupled, sometimes it's more threatening; not knowing what change in relationship will come with what change you want for yourself, diving in isn't as attractive. At least for me, I enter the questions more tenuously.
Right now, with the economic climate as it is, there is another factor; money helps me reach for help from my peers or a trusted facilitator. I have done this countless times before. But with resources harder to come by, the temptation is to figure things out for myself. Hmmm.
And I do.
People find each other! OccupySeattle gives me much hope. People have had enough. They don't want to be humored; they want back the power to influence change. They want real representation. Thrilling: having had enough. There's some point when 'not caring' can help break you through some barrier ... when being "too tight in the bud," means there's nothing for it but to burst into blossom into new beginning, even in the autumn!

Depressed is no longer the benign word it used to be, meaning down or sad. It is now a DSM label that can get you a mental health file, one that can stand in the way of promotions, or so I am told.

The Europeans have a better, more humane approach. No one is taken seriously unless they have been depressed, at least once in life. Depression can be expected at transition times and times when one questions anything ... identity, purpose, politics. Question is the operative word there.

So? One can only wonder who would want to put the kabash on questioning. Still, considering the political climate in which we have been living, since the Code-Red/Yellow/Oranges, the vote recounts trying to flush out Diebold and Tri-Star vote-flippers, and recent Crisis Managers in Michigan, where people's votes don't have to figure-in at all, questioning isn't something generally encouraged. After all, we don't want anyone getting depressed.

So. Pulling my tongue out of my cheek, now, and speaking in earnest, I think people ARE questioning, just the same. I do  l o v e  that independent spirit that leads people to do what comes so naturally. Somehow, in fact, just thinking about people doing what comes naturally warms my heart, lightens my own mood! We can trust ourselves, imperfect as we are, to be human, can't we! And I don't think we need anyone else's permission for that.

   Many of us saw the premiere of "Countdown", now brought to us by Current TV. I also saw the introductory remarks, by Olbermann, on what this venture means. I have to admit __ even though I know Olbermann as a hopeful figure with soundly stated ideas that lean in my direction, Left __ I was nonetheless surprised at just how political the intro was. It was a verification and at once a cold douse of water; it said, yes we are indeed in the messy mire. Let's not pretend or make-nice about it.
   Just the same, I sometimes think if I pinch myself hard enough, I might wake up (see "Alicedom," below). But no. It is here; a real test of our convictions and our courage. That's why you are seeing a political statement, again, on a counseling/personal-growth site; speaking up has a lot to do with integrity, as does finding the courage of conviction.
   Today, a client of mine, who'd run a high-drama reaction the week before, owned up. He spoke brilliantly about his patterns while also showing himself some empathy. It was one of those honest discussions where you feel so sane, so relieved, the only thing for it is laughter. And, at the same time, I was realizing that discussions like this are rare outside of the therapy room. At least they are in my life with my friends. With my partner, it's another story. But ... why not with friends, I find myself wondering. How conditioned are we not to comment on the obvious?
   Certainly the "positivity" movement acts against people being critical; frowning on hole-poking, it seems to reinforce too-much-care about what others might say or think. Since I have written about that before, suffice it to say these times can't afford people blanching at the thought of making an enemy; that kind of indulgence is the kind of self-importance socio-politics needs less. 
   So, here's to Mr. Gore, Mr. Olbermann, and the other progressive truth-sayers. Those who are willing to bring unbridled honesty to the public forum deserve our support and our deepest gratitude. May your voices be heard!

   "Alice in Wonderland"'s best as a novel. I hate that lost/fuzzy feeling I get when I am being confused, schookered or lied-to. And so, I call it "Alice'dom". And I know, the political is as personal as the personal is political.
     To make a family-counseling analogy, we all know parents who spoil their child. No matter what the kid does, they don't want to betray him; so they go easy, when he messes up, ride to his rescue at school, make excuses for his rebelliousness, endlessly do things for him, and in short, make a little monster of him __ and all,  while generally losing face with more rational parents who look on. How do the onlookers say, "You are making a Brat!"? 
   Politically, it's the same game. 
   There looms (i.e. during the Bush-Jr.-era) the big protecting presence of the Supreme Court, as it stopped the vote count for its Presidential hopeful. More recently, the 'snug-at-home-in-Wisconsin' members of the that legislature, as they proceeded with ending Collective Bargaining for their Governor. Both bodies acted in ways that were protective __ and deluded. 
   Alice'dom was with me a lot during Bush, Jr.; and it's with me again, as I've watched more recent events unfold: bank bailouts (after they looted US home-buyers); obstructing health proposals (during Obama's attempts to design options); and now, the Collective-Bargaining grab, threatening the beloved minimum wage, holidays, safety standards, anti-child-labor laws, etc. Liveable life styles can't be guaranteed with this NEW ANSWER to the New Deal. Where are the courts?  DIvided. And the Supreme Court? Ready to act like the spoiling parent.
   By contrast, the 14 absentee members of that same Wisconsin legislature beam rays of 'sane' in the midst of "Alice'dom", as they refuse to take any part in the repeal of Collective Bargaining for their constituents (including the Corporations, who are 'people') or to make the whole governing process a political sham. ... relief & pride are mine, in the midst of both political confusion and challenges to courage.
   Is it too much of a stretch to say the sub-prime-loaning Banks, off-shoring Corporations, unimaginative-positivity Corporateers / Corporateer-Wannabes and legislators that serve them are spoiled by courts that protect them? and are aided by collusion of those of us who give up? Where is the accountability of our nation's Supreme Court, anyway? (They surely are the greatest source of my Alice'dom!)  
   I have been eager to see solidarity demonstrations in my own home city (Seattle); now I see they are happening in Shoreline, WA this coming Tuesday; and I have rescheduled my day to attend. I know we won't get Michael Moore, another of my answers to Alice'dom, but his speech in Madison will be firm in my memory. If you haven't heard his comments about the bribing of us in the middle class who still have a little money, watch or listen to this YouTube clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgNuSEZ8CDw&feature=player_embedded#at=12 
   If all we do speak up, we have integrity. And chances of our finding a lot of neighbors doing the exact same thing are great! (50, 000 at an unplanned showing in Wisconsin last weekend; double that, this one). Maybe we'll also find people in political or legal positions inspired by our speaking up enough to do the right thing. Anyway, this is the answer to despair, defeat, and low energy. 
   From a family counseling & mental health view, finding our voices and using them beats silence. Deciding to decide; showing up __ that's anything but lost. It makes me feel hopeful __ and very far from Alice'dom. The personal IS political and vice versa!

Forgive the paste-in of my Word Press blog; but I'm sick today ... Still, I want to comment on what courage looks like, and true social responsibility, so here we go!


Wisconsin’s Bold Citizens: YUM! 
2011/02/19
Ah, February! & Wisconsin’s Bold Citizens: YUM!

A fan of history, freedom-preservation, integrity and people with guts, how can you not be in love with Wisconsin right now?

So, an open letter to Wisconsinians:
I am so proud of being a Midwesterner and of you! You are ‘eyes-on-the-prize’, inspiring … and right.

I know people will be sent in, to trouble-make, or change your profile (if they can) from peaceable and sane to nuts. It happened when Geo. W. was shoe-horned into the presidency! I remember the fake protesters; and, here we go again with Tea-Bagger imports.

BUT … just to let you know, we Seattleites know the difference between real-deal patriots and ‘plants’. So, keep doing what you’re doing, the way you’re doing it. You look a b s o l u t e l y beautiful, my friends!

A big fan of you,
Janette
Seattle, WA
USA
PS No real room for ' The Singularity ' energy here, I think! Yes?! (Or ... educate me, please.)