The last twenty-four hours have been hard for anyone in this country (and the world) who values diversity, acceptance, and compassion. I'm not going to dwell on the subject because everything I have to say about it has probably already been said and it wouldn't be great for my mental health besides. I imagine I'm not the only one feeling drained and hopeless right now.
Music has always helped me cope with darkness, especially music that turns sadness into strength. We all need some healing, so here's my modest contribution to the cause, in the form of two songs that always make me feel a little bit better - exactly because they emphasize day-to-day survival over eternal (but likely false) optimism.
Be kind to yourselves. Show love and understanding to those who need it most. Tune out from the news and social media if you need to. Hold tight to what makes you feel happy and safe instead. Try not to let fear or anger consume you. Don't beat yourselves up if it sometimes does.
Trying hard to breathe, head between my knees.
Take my hand and squeeze, say I'm alright.
Whisper in my ear. Happy you are here.
Everything seems clear, and we're alright.
Tell me not to trip or to lose sight.
You are walking in my dotted line.
Take my hand and help me not to shake.
Say I'm alright, I'm alright.
It's okay to feel. Everything is real...
...Well, the whole truth is like the story of a wave unfurled,
but I held the evil of the world.
So I stopped the tide, froze it up from inside,
and it felt like a winter machine that you go through and then
you catch your breath and winter starts again
and everyone else is spring-bound.
And when I chose to live,
there was no joy; it's just a line I crossed.
It wasn't worth the pain my death would cost,
so I was not lost or found...
Well, the sun rose with so many colors it nearly broke my heart.
It worked me over like a work of art,
and I was a part of all that...
When you live in a world,
well, it gets into who you thought you'd be,
and now I laugh at how the world changed me.
I think life chose me, after all.