pres·ent
/ˈpreznt/ adjective in a particular place
/ˈpreznt/ noun the period of time now occurring
Yesterday was something.
I’ll synthesize my thoughts on global politics by saying that respect should never be an option when it comes to being a leader in the free world. The future of life on this planet should not be treated like a sensationalized reality TV episode.
And while those events played out globally through media coverage and social media banter, life closer to home continued like a fairly normal Friday.
We had a little chill time after school and then set out to attend two different functions.
The first event was a social event at school. On a day that felt awfully hopeless, watching groups of young, talented, creative kids interact was incredibly therapeutic.
They are quirky, funny, and whip-smart. They are an eclectic group, and what I found most inspiring is that despite how different they all are, they respect and support each other's talents.
Imagine that.
There was no dominant group. Kids flowed effortlessly between groups, big and small. I only heard skibidi a few times, but you can tell Squid Game is hot right now. So was singing songs from Hamilton.
We had to duck out a little early to stop by another gathering we had been invited to.
This event was hosted in one of the buildings that I have always loved. It’s stunning, and I’ve probably driven by it hundreds of times, but had never been inside.
The thing about places of worship is that they always feel welcoming. And this one was no exception.
We were promptly greeted and introduced to the hosts.
We spent time looking at the art on display until we found the one we were looking for. It was displayed in the top row, with a purple ribbon reading “Art Show Best of Category.”
As a parent, some moments get imprinted forever. A perfect score on the state-wide math assessment was at the top of that list until yesterday. Watching him explain his art, both inspiration and process, to adults was incredible.
I was in awe at the artistic skills of the kids. And it gave me some hope.
So did the conversations.
Discussing educational exploits and dissertation research, the intersectionality of religious freedom and political theory, and positive psychology with curiosity and respect was a welcome experience. Who I used to be didn’t matter in the conversation, but what I am doing now did.
It was a good reminder that a few people who make a lot of noise don’t represent everyone else.
Despite peering ‘are you done yapping yet’ eyes, the most meaningful part of the conversation was about the lost art of having conversations. The lack of interest in even pretending to listen or understand, and whether or not that was fixable at this point.
That concept has been imbedded in my Audible reading list for a while now. I’ll confess, my Audible collection is about as eclectic as my taste in music. I have a few preferred genres, and my favorite artists and authors guide that, but there is a little bit of everything mixed in.
The events of the past few years have stirred a bottomless interest in neuroscience, human behavior, and geopolitics. If you fancy any of those things, here are a few of my ‘must reads’ in those genres.
The titles can be a bit jarring, but so are current events.
Perhaps having read (errrr listened to) each of these books, often more than once, had me better prepared for yesterday.
The days, months, and years ahead won’t be easy.
History never is.
March 1, 2025
p.s. If you are a student of astrology, you already know that March has a lot going on. If you aren’t, saddle up, the wild ride is just getting started.
