I
“There is never any reason to get worked up about things you can’t control.”
II
“You don’t have to turn this into something. It doesn’t have to upset you.”
III
“You always own the option of having no opinion. There is never any need to get worked up or to trouble your soul about things you can’t control. These things are not asking to be judged by you. Leave them alone.”
-Marcus Aurelius
I wanted to start today’s post with those Stoic quotes from Marcus Aurelius, mostly because they have been inspirational go-tos since November 6th, 2024 (or at least as inspirational as I can possibly get).
November 6th was the day I retired from giving my attention or caring about anything that happens in this country (or at least half of it, the other half can piss right the fuck off).
In the last 12 months, I’ve learned to give my attention to the people, activities, and things I love the most, and everything else is just noise that can be of no use to me.
No obsessive doom scrolling, no nights worrying about things I have no power over, no watching of opinionated talking heads on TV (unless it’s actually The Talking Heads), and no useless rage sitting just below the surface waiting to explode.
Do not take my use of the term ignorance for proper ignorance. I vote and I still retain all my convictions; no amount of rightwing rhetoric or MAGA-fueled hate will ever change that. However, I’ve found that endless worry, sadness, and anger were anchors to my brain and needed to be let go.
Someday, King Cheeto, his merry band of Nazis disguised as billionaires, and uneducated racists and bigots who call themselves “patriots” will be gone. We will read of their demise and celebrate properly (Mr. Cheney was a great start, enjoy hell), but until then, I refuse to let my mind be dragged down into the mire and focus on the people I love and what I can control.
They say ignorance is bliss, and after 12 months, I concur. Stay “ignernt!”
Back to my regular nonsense tomorrow. Sorry for thrusting my opinions on you like an uninvited boob-honk.
Later.