Back, with lots on my mind

Simple and silly just might save the day

The Midlife Madness blog has been quiet for a few months, but that does not mean the madness has not continued. As a freelance writer, I must work when the work comes. And when it rains it pours. It has been a busy spring, and this has kept me from personal writing. Good for the bank account, but not good for this blog.

It is not just time constraints, however, that have kept me away, but also emotional ones. Most of the things I write about for Midlife Madness are deeply personal, and therefore usually quite gut-wrenching. The subjects are things I have been mulling about in my brain for days, if not weeks. I always want to be honest, fair, and respectful in my writing. And I also want to offer something meaningful to readers. Insight, a different perspective, hope, inspiration… my only purpose in opening myself to others in this way, is that it might help someone. For all these reasons, it is not always easy to sit down and open my heart and soul. When I have other projects that require my focus, it is even more difficult.

However, during my break from posting, the topics I want to write about have piled up. Much has happened. To me personally and globally. I have a break in my work right now, so I hope to tackle many of these topics over the next few weeks. Plan to be bombarded with my thoughts about therapy, cancel culture, misappropriation of words, over-pathologizing normal emotions, living with heartbreak, death, alcohol part II, communication in marriage, goals and motivation, war and female leaders, abortion and women's rights, retirement planning, the joy and pain of an empty nest, and more… Yes, a lot has been on my mind while I have been working on other things.

In the meantime, I will leave you all with this. I believe more with each passing day, and every heartache endured-whether personal or humanitarian-we are all better off when we focus on what we have in common. Respect is not something people should have to earn – DISRESPECT is what should be earned. Respect, kindness, and courtesy, should be our default. The world feels tense and angry. People seem to be eager to disagree, and quick to insult. Name-calling, e.g., “Karen” or “libtard” or even “pedophile” is acceptable. Judging and canceling people for things they did or said in their youth is expected now, no one gets credit for growth or evolution. Showing no forgiveness for verbal gaffes, social awkwardness, or basic human flaws is militantly adhered to. I fear with all the judgment, all the demand for perfection from people always, and instant cancellation/blocking/ghosting of those who fall short, will lead to a very lonely, angry, inflexible society.

My solution? More seventies music! It is happy, laidback, and groovy. They sang about sunshine, lovers, and the stars. Okay, maybe not always, and maybe that won’t fix everything. But it helps to shift your energy. The war in Ukraine still rages. The pandemic is still evolving and haunting us. The US seems to be stepping closer to the dark ages more each day. And billionaires continue to hold way too much of the global wealth. But a little Rock Me Gently, Dancing in the Moonlight, or Summer Breeze might shift your mood, and put a smile on your face. And everyone knows that smiles are contagious! Simple and silly, I know, but I need that right now and I am sure I am not alone.

Deeper thoughts to come soon... stay tuned.