How Are We Doing?

MAY 20, 2025

How are we doing?

Today is Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania - a close contest in Pittsburgh between Democratic mayoral candidates, and eight slots open for Court of Common Pleas judges because of lots of retirements. Social media posts are abuzz with reminders that local politics and community building are as important, if not more so, than what happens at the state and federal levels.

I believe that. And yet. What I hear the most about every day, from mainstream media, are the national issues and actions. These scare the bejesus out of me such that I find myself needing to recalibrate on a daily or hourly basis to keep my body steady, my mind focused, and my emotions on an even keel.

How are we all doing? What are we each doing to get through these times?

Today I made a phone call to Rep. Deluzio to encourage him to oppose legislative efforts that will harm non-profits - the source of help to so many of our people (thanks, BJ, for the reminder). Well I was tired from traveling, and feeling a little foggy and OH NO a live person from Rep. Deluzio’s office answered the phone! I stumbled (and I mean stumbled majorly) through my “script” and finally said, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t think I would reach a live person!” And she said, no doubt sensing my senior status, “That’s okay, honey. You said the important words that tell me what you want. I will make sure this is on the record for the Representative.” Geez.

It’ll take a couple of days to recover from that embarrassing experience, but I will get up and call again, and attend rallies and protests and donate to causes I want to support. Doing so helps me feel better and, more importantly, any positive action taken adds to the mountain of cumulative work done by everyone else.

But I still often feel discouraged and exhausted, and have to remind myself of perspectives, habits, behaviors that will help me stay balanced.

Robin Lynn and I attended the Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures program last week at which Elizabeth Kolbert and Terry Tempest Williams spoke. The focus of their discussion was Elizabeth’s book “H is for Hope” which she wrote with the phenomenon of climate change in mind. I learned a new word that described the style in which Elizabeth wrote her book - Abecedarian. She arranged her essay topics in alphabetical order. She said this style of writing helped her focus and clarify important ideas.

So - hoping to clarify my own thinking, I will/may/hope to do some writing in this format about the ideas, perspectives, and behaviors that are helping me to stay pretty balanced, and will include practices that others have shared with me. Look out for “A is for…” (you’ll see soon).

How are we doing? How are you doing and what is helping you to stay sane? Share your thoughts as you wish.

The photo below: “Hanging On (In Spite of It All)”. Taken in Bryce Canyon, Utah, in March 2025.