Navigating the heavy fog
We are all in a fog; the fog of fear, of war, of crisis, of insecurity…it’s VERY thick.
What is the best thing to do in the fog?
I used to drive down I-70 at o’dark-thirty every morning to work in Denver as a morning radio host. There were days when the fog (or a whiteout) was so thick that I couldn’t see 5 feet in front of my car. It was, to put it mildly, terrifying.
So, I often had to come to a complete stop, on I-70…not even sure what LANE I was in, praying that a semi didn’t scream right up my ass.
But, in those moments of complete fear and discombobulation, I HAD TO STOP. I had to gather myself, try to ease over to the right lane and maybe the shoulder. I had to take a moment or 10 to get my bearings as to where I was, spatially, emotionally, physically. All of it.
Running or driving hysterically and blindly through the fog is not productive. And in fact, it’s dangerous.
That’s where we are right now. Nothing is certain; we have no idea when and if schools will open, when sports will be played, when the economy will creep back, how secure our jobs or benefits are, when the virus will wane, who will win the election, etc. The list of uncertainties is VERY long, right now.
So, stop flailing. Let go of expectations and narratives and outcomes. We are in a fog, my loves. It requires stopping, slowing and assessing how to move or NOT to move.
Don’t get bogged down in your concrete beliefs and narratives. Open up to different perspectives and information, as oftentimes I find that it can calm my fears to look at a problem or situation from another angle.
The feeling of not knowing who or what to trust, is not only understandable, it’s possibly a key to our survival. The honest truth is that EVERYONE is in this fog, as it’s part of the collective energies right now.
Those who proclaim themselves as experts or authorities are just as confused as we are:). Always keep that in mind. Believing anyone unequivocally is a recipe for at best, disappointment, at worst, tyranny.
It’s okay…no, IMPERATIVE that we ask ourselves, “Why exactly do I believe this and not that?? Maybe both things are true.”
Stop, squat and look at all sides. Question everything….
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Who is Jane London?
I’m a retired morning radio host, turned a serial communicator:)
Some topics that I like to explore are astrology, spirituality, growing older, growing wiser, pop culture, not-so-pop culture and the human condition.
My husband, two dogs and two cats currently live in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, but that could change anytime as I tend to get restless.
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Present Tense 
The only way to get ourselves out of the fog is to keep moving forward at a steady pace and not stop and get hit by a truck. Time to keep moving forward and trust are movement will make it better for ALL. The faster we get out of the fog of selfishness and injustice towards race, gender etc. the better this country and the world will become. It will take quite an effort but it’s doable and now is the time to do it.
By the way I also drove those Colorado roads In the mountain snow, fog and the dark of night and one time I lost my brake fluid. I didn’t stop I geared down took note what was a head and behind me and safely made it through. It’s time we all need to focus to make it through this and to make it better. We are being tested let’s not fail this test.
Oh I don’t disagree. But I still believe that we have to gather our strength and our wits. I always made it down the hill. But there is no weakness in patience and a few deep breaths, before we return to the journey..
And remember, not all of us have the same confidence or security to always keep moving. Better to take a minute, chart a course and make our way forward.
Thanks. Appreciate your contribution to the path. I agree 100% that we are being tested and that means we need clarity of purpose…
Jane
You take a minute.
Some of us that lived through the 60’s have less minutes to make a difference. I wasn’t a radical I was taken care of my kids, I was what you once called the middle class. I’ve seen what poverty and injustice has done to those that have very little hope especially the children.
I’m pretty clear on what we need to do and I hope we all make an effort to do it and give the younger generation the support needed to accomplish the enormous tasks put before them. We are not part of a white, black, brown or any color of race , we are the human race and it’s time we get this right.
Anita
You’re totally misconstruing my point:). And that’s okay…I’m 60…I watched the 60s unfold as a kid. I get it. There is much to fix…there is much that is wrong. As grown adults, many of us have allowed the problems that we have to fester, through our lack of action or because we were not paying attention.
I’m not saying “Hide in a hole and do nothing”. I’m saying that in our current circumstance, it’s very hard to know what is true or false, fact or fiction, etc. There are many, many people who have been inactive and apolitical for their entire lives. They need space to figure out where they stand and how they would like to participate and offer support/action/productivity.
I agree with you 100% as far as having much work to do. My post is more about getting our spirits in order to take on these tasks.
We are all free to act, react and respond as we see fit, but many of us are in a state of confusion right now. That’s pretty obvious and if we are NOT clear on our opinions, beliefs, solutions, I feel as if taking the time to get our minds right is not a bad thing and could be necessary.
If you are a person of intense action, that’s cool…You go be you:)
😊
Really liked your post. I always remember hearing that you should count to 10 when you’re uncertain. You may still not know what to do, but i believe it helps calm you.
Thank you Jane, another very balanced essay, exactly the kind of writing and advice we need more of!