By Mathias Eichler
Sponsor:
The Trail Running Film Festival presented by Brooks -
Back on Tour for 2025.
The Trail Running Film Festival presented by Brooks -
Back on Tour for 2025.
As we’re entering another dark age I’ve had several conversations with friends about how dreadful we were feeling the last time around. I’ve been trying to remember all the bad things that happened, even before the pandemic threw the entire world into a tailspin (and sort of saved trump’s legacy because we ended up talking about that bad virus more than his awful leadership). I remembered the countless angry tweets I wrote (something I’ve completely stopped now), the endless doom-scrolling (which I still do), the rollercoaster of news announcements and stock market reactions, the orders, decrees, announcements, and proposals (“did you read what he did today?”). And I remembered the golf outings (so many rounds of golf).
Of course that time was awful – whenever the opposing party is in charge and moving the country into a direction we don’t like we hate the world. I understand the other side too (who wouldn’t throw a raging fit if more clean energy is being used? Or more coast lines get protected? Or humans rights are being extended to all Americans? I mean this shit is infuriating.)
I am getting ready for my citizenship interview today and am sitting here wondering if some government official might read my writing I’ll keep the rest to myself.
What all this did make me think of is something different and entirely more uplifting and positive.
What did I actually DO during those first weird four years?
Did I accomplish anything other than worrying, yelling and fretting?
It turns out I did. And that surprised me. I just thought these 4 years were lost in time. Maybe reading a little booklet on the Constitution with a timeline of events that lead to the founding of the United States and it’s first tumultuous years after made me realize that it’s our responsibility to frame our story. We get to tell what our life is all about. We get to hold on to the highlights and let those define who we are.
Here’s my (not exhaustive) list of things I did, and am proud, between 2017 and 2021.
When looking back at these years I did in fact not just yell and scream and cry. I created. I built. I made shit happen. Stuff I am proud of. Stuff I’m still working on, or stuff that paved the way for the things that now occupy my day. Important stuff. Meaningful stuff. And this, I hope, will be my guiding light in these next few dark years. And I hope it can be for you too. Stay informed, but don’t just doom scroll. Fight, and worry, and scream at times. But also: Find the time to create, to build, to make, to live. That’s the light no darkness can take away. And that’s the light that will welcome a new dawn.
Let’s go!
Electric Cable CarTM is a product of Einmaleins. © 2018 - 2025. All Rights Reserved.