I sat in front of the tv on New Year’s Eve, watching the Avett Brothers concert (a gift from my cousins) with a bottle of wine in my hand (a gift from a Secret Santa), surrounded by my family. Aside from wishing I was watching the concert in person with my crew, I wanted for absolutely nothing in that moment … well, until I went to open the bottle of wine and realized that it wasn’t a screw top lid and I don’t own a corkscrew, which tells just as much about how long it’s been since I’ve bought wine as it does about my financial priorities in the midst of the struggle.
Long story short, I used a screwdriver to push the cork into the bottle, and I drank straight from the bottle like a boss. I was so proud of myself and felt as if I had won, which I saw as a metaphor for the year. Obstacles to joy and doing what we wanted were abundant, and I was so looking forward to flipping my mental switch to flourishing rather than floundering. In fact, I was sure that the world was ready to flip the same switch…and then I logged onto social media.
Aside from the memes, well wishes, and greetings of “Happy New Year,” not much has changed. We’re still arguing about whether one profession is more valuable than another. We’re still arguing about whether it’s safe to send our kids to school. We’re still complaining about people not wearing masks, eating out, going to bars, and having get-togethers. Add the insulting $600 stimulus check to the mix and we’re looking like we did on December 1, 2020. Ten months into this pandemic and we are still spinning our wheels and treading water. Why? Because we continue to fight each other instead of the ones in control of every decision that upsets us. If we would hold our government accountable the way we do our love interests, things would be different.
Ugly Underbelly
My hope for the pandemic was that we would become more aware and operate from a higher level of consciousness. I mean, we have been shown the ugly underbelly of our nation within every single system, whether it’s the failing public education system or safety net issues. We have no relationship with our lawmakers, and it shows in the way we allow them to drag us around by our ears. It’s like being in a failing relationship- some of us would rather be miserable than stand up for ourselves. We become comfortable in our uncomfortable lives, overlooking the parts of ourselves that ache for a better life.
I joked the other day that I needed to work on my personal ad for a husband. People were giving me pointers on what to look for in a mate. I have a checklist for my daughters when they are considering a relationship. 1) They have to be smarter than you or at least as smart as you. 2) They have to believe in a higher power so they can see past the end of their own nose. 3) They have to have respect for those adults whom they’re doing life with. 4) They must have an open mind, empathy, and be willing to fight beside you to protect your needs and interests. All these prerequisites for a mate, so why, when we’re talking about my family’s needs from a political point of view, are America’s standards so low?
Better Together
I am no longer going to sit idle while decisions are made about my family by someone who will never understand what it’s like out here. I demand a certain level of respect and consideration from everyone in my personal life, and I’ll be damned if I won’t expect the same from our government. I want a government with a good credit score and a heart for ALL of us rather than the ones who make $75,000 or above. I want to be seen, shown respect, and valued.
In 2021, I’m expecting the same from my elected officials as I do from people who do life with me. I want them to realize when I’m stressed, broke, hurting, sick, and actually listen to what I need to turn it around. I won’t allow them to simply pat me on the head and whisper sweet nothings in my ear for one minute longer. If they’re not sleeping under my roof or putting food on my table then they don’t get to assume what’s best for me without knowing anything about me.
My vacay is over, and I’m arranging small virtual meetups with groups of folks who are tired of working themselves to death just to stay in the struggle. Reach out because we’ll do better together.
Onward,
Amy Jo
