Why I Refuse to Rant on Medium
You Wouldn’t Want to Hear It nor Should You
Every tab you push, every time you scroll up and every screen you peer at gives you nothing but death, failure, and hopelessness. Sounds like a song title from the 70s-80s band, The Police. I can guess it also makes your stomach acids churn. There is a shortness of breath and wondering how did things turn so quickly. I understand. It feels like there is only abyss. There will never again be positive feelings.
I am still upset that there are over a hundred kinds of Oreos. Don’t get me started on weird potato chip flavors. I’m not going to tell you how bad it is out there or how we are going to be in quarantine a year or forever. Because…
- I don’t know?
- You don’t know?
- World leaders definitely don’t know!
- Your cat might know?
- Even if you do know does it matter?
- Rapper Notorious BIG said, “if you don’t know now you know…”
Okay. You’re not helping.
Yeah, you’re right. I’m not talking fantasy land or distorting reality but why can’t this nation stop being self-focused? What’s wrong with pitching in and putting some small frivolities on hold? But no, nobody tells me what to do…Oh… wait a minute you almost had me. No ranting.
OHMMMMMM. Ok, fine.
I’m trying to get this content out, so quit making me so agitated(you’re not but just play along, thanks). I talk a lot about connecting and staying the distance and things that require hope and faith. These are not terrible things. They are comforting things.
I try to be my own best scientist. Home lockdown hits. I tried eating everything but didn’t feel so good. I gained like 20 lbs. So now I’m eating less, losing weight and now I feel better.
I could have kept going into food oblivion. The world’s all done, right? Does it matter? Regardless, I feel it is important to be able to tie your shoes at a greater than 90-degree angle.
To Troll or Not to Troll
I’m not going to troll you or be trolled. I understand the concept of why it works and why it’s “fun.” It’s an energy thing. If I rage on you, I get your energy. If I rage at you, you take my energy. We need energy, people!
The problem with getting energy from the source of rage is that it is highly volatile. Have you ever seen the Incredible Hulk get jacked up on anger while tiptoeing around a city at the same time? Nope. The Hulk smashes everything in his path, whether he needs to or not. His rage is not discriminatory.
So If I Can’t Hulk Smash
Free-form rage is exhilarating and energizing but it puts a significant distance between connecting with people. Rage allows you to run over people in trucks, dismiss entire societies, and do things that are contradictory to living.
For example, not following a helpful protocol in times of pandemic and finding a way to blame others and make excuses…I just did it again. Man, this is difficult.
Pause and Reflect
I don’t have to scream for you to understand me or take my side. I can whisper in your ear and get as much connection. It’s not necessary to force you to submit to my ideology.
That’s why animals are so much better. They have way more balance and harmony than we humans. Viruses are very similar. Humans. Viruses. We were made for each other. We both go from area to area and use up all of the resources until that area is exhausted.
We need some way to promote a calming force and not this antagonistic machine that bombards us daily.
I want to feel better though all around me is Armageddon
In my backyard exists a peaceful sanctuary that doesn’t know the concept of Armageddon. It only knows rain and sunshine, birds, rabbits, and breezes. It also knows the pack of three squirrels (dubbed the spaz patrol) that jump across a row of trees every dusk.
There may or might not be God but there is a natural force that can come through if you pay attention.
It is a calming force that could get you through panic. Checking the latest report on who did or didn’t do what will more than likely keep you in a state of agitation.
A few tips that might help with news freakoutitis(c.)
- Believe it
- Nothing is unbelievable
- Not all is as it seems
- The Media puts out stories to get you worked up
It isn’t interesting to the Media for people to care. That’s your job. You decide what is your reality. The Media’s job is for you to read and promote(hint hint wink wink), but hopefully my words won’t fill you with dread and that lit firecracker in the gut feeling.
The Media is not in the hope or faith business
The for-profit world is trying to do what the for-profit world does; make everything tangible and profitable. You get to choose your path and what world you will create and follow. You can escape with alcohol and the numerous avenues of addiction or you can battle by not battling.
Lining up and squaring off against each other is old school, archaic, and non- productive. It’s a great way to gain or release energy but ultimately it burns the ranter or rantee. It’s kind of like global thermonuclear war where both sides gear up and gain traction but in the end, it’s just mutually assured destruction. It’s the anti connector with humanity. We don’t have to destroy each other to feel safer. Like the computer said in the film, War Games, shall we play a game?
Josh Kiev is an actor, chef, and an enthusiastic mower of lawns. Connect or Perish.
