Thursday, September 25, 2008

from a delicate state


There are times when all of a sudden I am struck down; my functioning is at it's lowest, my energy subdued and my confidence shaken. It is almost like I am engulfed in a hole and cannot come out. These periods don't happen often, am not manic and it is usually after a rigorous work out and some perspective, some talk among close friends, that I submerge quickly. I bounce back fast, fortunately.

But I think the world situation added to my gloom these past few days, and while the elections are exciting and exhilarating the possible outcome is scary and threatening. I watched Bush's address to the nation about our financial crisis. It was a serious deal. I remember watching my parents watch the Cuba crisis when I was very young and I could feel the tension; you could cut the atmosphere in half with a knife. It was a serious deal.

I think if Obama gets the presidency, the outside world will applaud us to a certain degree, we would be looked upon not as big babies (which we are often seen as) but as a country entering a new change and progression. Not sure if we are a sophisticated country though to work through our differences and biases to make this choice. I don't think Europe (France or Germany for example) would think twice about making a new leap. We want the same thing and we want the same old funk of comfort. Also, I find it difficult discussing politics with people around me. It has become a taboo subject to bring up and I find this ridiculous and repressive.

1 comment:

bikegirl said...

We are all in this together - I feel your funk (well, I felt it before this wonderful weekend). I also hate that I often dance around the subject trying to find out if it's ok to talk about the politics, but this year I want to be more brave about it because it seems if I don't say something, people will just think I agree with them.

I also agree that Americans in general have a tough time with change; I worry that long-held biases will make people choose poorly. How strange that we call ourselves a melting pot yet are so afraid of someone we perceive as different.

Counting the days....