What We *Could* Be Talking About This May 4, 2021
Topics in Bloom “Talent and heart and humility and inclusion for the win!”
I know spring has sprung and some Americans are getting happy about going to in person meetings and small dinner parties, but India is dying in record numbers, much of Europe is in lockdown — as is Canada — and so this virus has us feeling unsettled. Maybe we lean into it?
Pretending everything is hunky dory got us into this mess — rampant racism and sexism and extremists trying to run our lives, no universal healthcare and people freezing to death on the streets in the wintertime — so maybe let’s not pretend at this crucial time with Covid that everything is just fine. It seems good that vaccines are on the rise and there are other good signs around us in the battle against the pandemic (yay for no Covid deaths in L.A. for two days in row!) But let’s not try to skip the end since we haven’t earned the win. Let’s not Bush “Mission Accomplished” this. Not yet.
See: India. Many are struggling.
It’s the height of inhumanity to be celebrating while fellow humans suffer, non?
Embracing the discomfort of the moment isn't fun, especially when it lasts a year, but it does bring results. I remember the first time I sat with the pain of my fathers death and didnt try and distract myself with other people or work. I thought it would swallow me but it didnt. Not only that, once I saw it through I came out the experience more whole. More happy — because I was capable of more happy. Sounds crazy but it’s true.
We have to talk about the hard things but we can do it in helpful ways. I try to offer that again below (see the Gates divorce for a gateway to thinking baout deal breakers in relationships?)
Sure there are news stories like — Giuliani wants Trump to pay his legal bills, murderer Derek Chauvin wants a new trial, and there’s soon to be a Covid vaccine for kids — but let’s reach to topics that may not be getting discussed but should, shall we? Doing by best to be the new Oprah/Phil Donahue show :)
Before I get to the list, do you follow BlairZ on IG? She’s a talented artist and I can’t wait to buy one someday. It’s fun and playful and chic. And in the past year with the awakening by so many whites about how white their world was and lacked people of color she’s stepped up. Love that!
Talent and heart and humility and inclusion for the win!
Plus, as the artist aboce reminds us: We are here. There is that. And it’s huge.
David Crookes wrote in All About Space magazine: “Space Mysteries: If we can find the answer, it may complete our understanding of space and time.”
2) An important accounting of the devastating affects of racism is the genius we lost as lives were not appreciated.
This article in The Guardian on American composer Julius Eastman stopped me in my tracks. What a life of genius and tragedy. What a tragic loss.
I’m glad people are seeking out his legacy and works. And I’m sure there’s more to come.
3) OK, I bring this up because I think we need to talk about relationships and how we do them in order to get a more healthy culture. No one knows what is best, there is no “best,” but some people create deals and arrangements that make them happy. So in that line of thought..
Regarding the Gates’ divorce, there was mention in the press years ago about a strange fact in their marriage contract. Strange because, why the eff did you tell us this? It stayed with me.
“Bill and Melinda Gates have had a decades-long agreement that the Microsoft boss could vacation for a long weekend at the beach every year with his venture capitalist ex-girlfriend.” — Daily Mail
The ex is married to a private investigator. Discuss as you will, but it’s all…notable.
Be well…
