My Two Cents – I’m Going Through the Terrible Two’s
It’s Tuesday and time for my two cents.
As I witness the blatant examples of systemic racism swirling daily in America, it’s been hard to keep my emotions in check. Every day, there are reports of new affronts to marginalized citizens, especially Black people. Rule of law seems to be a vacuous phrase that doesn’t apply to many elected to the highest positions in the land. There appears to be no regard for nor expectation that the traditional guardrails such as the courts will be effective in keeping people safe and their rights protected.
Add to this is the barrage of 24/7 news reports. Traditional and social media bombard us nonstop with the bad news and tragic consequences of what I call an election gone bad. I’m reminded of a line from an old rap song that goes, “don’t push me ‘cos I’m close to the edge, I’m trying not to lose my head.”
So how do we cope? How do we teeter on the edge but don’t jump. Well, all we can control is ourselves. All we can do is create our own guardrails to stay sane and healthy in what appears to be an insane and unhealthy America.
So, I’ve resorted to using a timer. That’s right, that good old timer on my Apple watch is going to be the tool to help me maintain my sanity. Here’s how it works.
Most of us have heard of the “terrible twos.” Child development experts describe it as a normal developmental phase experienced by young children that’s often marked by tantrums, defiant behavior, and lots of frustration.
Every day at two p.m., I’m going to allow myself to have a terrible twos tantrum. I’ll read all the horrible news reports, shout profanities, shake my fist in the air, and in general have a tantrum about the mess we’re in. During the tantrum, I’ll also think of ways to resist, resist, resist, then put some of that resistance into play doing the real anti-systemic racism work.
But, precisely at 2:30 p.m., I will end my tantrum and resume my life as normally as possible enjoying the people, places, and things I love. That might include planning the next big trip with my husband, riding my exercise bike to blow off steam, calling a friend for idle chatter, reading one of the books stacking up on my nightstand, etc., etc., etc.
The point is, we can’t stay in a constant state of rage, but we can’t be complacent either. We need space to acknowledge the anger and frustration and a time to figure out how to counter the daily affronts. My 2 p.m. terrible twos rant will be my space.
Do you have a space and plan to vent then recover to do the work? If so, I’d love to hear what you’re doing.
That’s my two cents; what about yours?
