The Absent Uncle: ‘It is a lot!’

I enjoy reading short essays from writers that I am familiar with and appreciate their insights. Occasionally, I discover a new voice and find things to think about in a totally different way. 

This happened a few days ago when I read a short piece written by Melissa Kirsch in the NY Times. She had three short quotes that she used to make her points to try to help her readers understand how to cope with the turbulent times we find ourselves in today. From the right or left – whether domestic or international threats or actions – there is much to affect each of our mental health’s well-being every day. How to process? What to do? How to stay balanced and OK? Should I even pay attention to her main points of advice?

As a person that has always paid attention to current events, I am on the lookout for ideas to smooth out the disappointments, curb my usual optimism, and achieve that ever elusive balance.

Her specific quotes:

“It’s a lot.”

“Practice being present in the here and now; it is all we have.”

“Move the horizon closer.” 

I appreciated Ms. Kirsch’s outlook and conclusions. They made sense. But the three quotes above were short and simple statements that strongly stood out and suggested to me a lesson to be learned that would help.

There are a lot of things going on in the outside world today. All of which I reasonably can say I have no control over – with no regret. But what I do have control over is my personal “here and now”, maybe not total control – but more than I give myself credit for overall. 

So often we (I) look at the overall theater of life and count ourselves (myself) as a spectator; not one playing a central role. But pulling back to the here and now, plus pulling the horizon (read future expectations) closer to our present, the theater gets smaller, our role becomes larger, and we can move forward feeling a bit more in control and balanced. That is what I believe she meant with ‘move the horizon closer.’ 

Practicing being present in the here and now is an effort that pays big dividends for yourself and those around you. It makes you whole, lets your significant others get closer and feel a bit of what you feel and vice versa.   

And in today’s world that is a lot.