Narrative Structure

Personal flaw: the compulsion to look for a bad guy and a good guy in every story. But what if there is no bad guy? Even more frightening: what if there is no good guy?

National Priorities

Thought experiment: we all agree that Donald Trump is the manifestation of all that is bad about America. He is the puss-head of America’s deviancy that we so badly want to pop. However, he has used his idiot abilities and carny talents to achieve everything he has ever wanted. And our disdain for him and underestimation of his perverted skill set has been used as leverage by him to become president (of all of us) and cult leader (for a significant portion of us). How do we defeat him? Righteous indignation obviously won’t work because it is boring to a culture hooked on sensationalism and dog whistles. As a social worker, my first thought is we need to be humble, self aware, conscious of our personal triggers, and aware of our public presentation. What do you think? Are you willing to overcome your own demons in order to overcome the specter of fascism?

Addressing the Issue

Never allow yourself to believe that just because you have recognized a problem, you have done something to correct it. Be the problem in society, at work, in a relationship, or inside of yourself, issuing a grievance about how things ‘should’ be versus how they actually are is not a contribution. It’s good that you see where things are broken, but how are you going to fix them? And if you can’t fix them, how are you going to navigate the brokenness to find the desired outcome? It’s great that you found Waldo. But how are you going to kill him?

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope every one of you enjoys your Thanksgiving holiday, and remembers the bottom line of what the holiday is about. Being thankful. Im writing this as much for myself as I am for you, but, in spite of whatever tribulations we are all experiencing at this moment, we are alive right now. Most people who have ever lived are dead now, so the spotlight is on us, and we—at least—have some rights in regard to whatever narrative we are spinning with our personal stories. We are still in the driver’s seat. Here’s what I am grateful for:

1. I participated in creating and raising—still raising—3 amazing human beings who are endlessly interesting and full of potential.

2. I am doing a job that I love and gives me a deep sense of meaning. 

3. I have family and friends that love me and understand me, and show up for me when I need it.

4. Ideas. Books. Songs. Movies. Stories. I am so grateful for art, and what it can do to (and for) the human soul.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cincinnati

FYI, I was just on the phone with customer service and I couldn’t hear the representative clearly while they were talking. I said, ‘Sorry?’ and she adjusted something and sounded much clearer, and then said, ‘is this better?’ and I said, ‘Yes, that’s better’. Then she said, ‘Are you from Cincinnati?’ I paused and realized that I had said ‘sorry?’ and answered, ‘Yes’. She said, ‘You good?’ and I responded, ‘Yeah, I’m good’. and we both laughed and went on with the call.