Creating a positive from a negative.

Dear Reader,

Today’s post is late. And there’s a reason.

I had originally penned my thoughts on the Australia Day debate: to change the date or not to change the date? (To boil it down to basics:  The meaning of the day is more important than sticking to a date that celebrates only part of our melting pot of cultures, and creates a day of mourning for our indigenous people – who, by the way, is the longest surviving culture in the world. Think of that. Wow! I think May8 (Maate!) sounds good.) 
But recent worldwide events have overshadowed this (important) question.

Regular readers will know I suffer from anxiety, brought on by my previous job. After years of trying to cope with work stress and the weight of worrying about my patients, taking on their worries as my own, I broke. I took up writing, first as a distraction then a form of catharsis.

Recent global events broadcast live via social media, have re-ignited my empathy and worry – worry for refugees, worry for legitimate citizens born outside their place of residence, worry for women’s rights, for gay rights, native land rights – all swept away with a stroke of a pen, defying even the courts of the land. (I was barely coping with similar things in my own country, but this latest onslaught, this is mega. This is beyond belief. This is overwhelming.)

I feel for the people of the world. I fear for the people of the world.

And Friday night I had a wake up call. I woke at 2.30am – sweating, with palpitations and pain. Stress? Migraine? Or…?
My anxiety escalated.

An ECG was performed, with, shall we say, not perfect results. A blood test was ordered. Four agonising hours later, I was cleared. Not a heart attack.
This time.

Tomorrow I see the doctor for a follow up and, most likely, a referral to a specialist. Was the ECG a false positive or is there something that needs attention? We’ll also discuss over the counter medications and other reasons for the palpitations.

I’ve had another wake up call. And I’ve made a decision.

I will try not to dwell on the negative of the recent events but look to the positive: the resistance, the fight, the wins. Rather than share the negative posts and tweets of hell unleashed, I will endeavour to share the positive results – the solidarity and resistance.

I will try to relax and focus on the victories, my family, my friends and the good times we have. I can delve into antagonist’s thought process in fiction – where I can explore them (and control them) in a safe environment and purge my soul of the anxiety. (Well, I’ll try.)

Yesterday we had a few friends over to play board games. We introduced Terry to Steampunk Munchkin (she won). We were confronted by a most foul opponent of almost impossible strength:

A +5 radium-powered Robot Queen Victoria, empowered by Gear Beer and ready for a bar room brawl – defeated by the co-operation of all the players. Huzzah!

That, dear Reader, is how we can heal the world – by joining together against our common foe – hate and racism. Divided, we fall. Together we can triumph.

Photo ©2017 Karen J Carlisle
All rights reserved.