Antidote 🌿

Suddenly, there’s a black and white speckled pup trotting down the middle of the road. I slow up, grateful no one's behind me. I flick on flashers and roll down the window as a car from the other direction approaches, stops, and the driver’s door opens. I wrongly assume he’s the owner. “Nope.” he mouths quietly, but his attention is on the dog who shies, then settles to allow a gentle scratching of its left ear. 🐶 The dog's panic palpably eases and I murmur reassurance, “It’s ok sweetie. We’ll get you home.” The other driver - who looks familiar, but I can’t place him - surreptitiously checks the dog’s collar by snapping a photo of the tag for easy viewing. I keep an eye out for other cars.

“Ahh!” he smiles, “Spencer. They used to be on Davis Hill but they moved just down the road.” The dog is now relaxed and easily hops into the car when invited.

“Do I know you?” I query. It takes but a moment to recall meeting through the ‘Knot in Hyde Park’ knot-weed brigade - a community effort to rid the invasive plant from key areas of our small town. “Thanks for taking the pup home, Rich." He smiles back, "Great team work today.” We head in opposite directions.
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On Monday, I vowed to keep my focus on preparations for the symposium and decided not to watch or listen to any news. Knowing inauguration coverage would be triggering, I chose instead to pace my day with focus-music, a walk, and balancing work time with meaningful conversation and a nourishing lunch. I accomplished my goals and the sun set and rose again in the morning. ☀️

Antidote, from Old French c. 1400 antidotum, means “remedy counteracting poison”. It also rises from the Greek antidoton which literally translated is “given against”. Communication channels and trusted sources are flooded with advice on how to process the radical and devastating changes happening in Washington, DC. But, I'd love to know: what’s YOUR antidote to toxic, mind-bending, disturbances in your own life and in the world at large? What ARE you doing to take care of yourself? What practices or strategies are working today? What will you try tomorrow?

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When I drove towards town and Rich turned up Spencer's driveway, I was surprised that tears sprouted. I let them flow and then asked myself why? A breath and a sigh eventually brought this peace: There is great beauty in a brief interaction, born out of mutual concern and a shared value of caring for each other and our loved ones and pets. Sometimes community care is self-care. 

How can we “give against” the tides that assault our values? We can stay true to our values. We can give space for beauty and for recognizing it.

Please share your personal antidotes. And let me know if it’s ok to share them! We can learn from each other and grow stronger together.

And as always, we can write. ✍🏼There’s room for you to write and reckon, on Fridays at 10 am EST. Hope to see you there. 

Take good care.