Post #20: "Each star, another bit of light in the darkness" — Hoppy 🦗
My play with Kevin Kling — "Invisible Fences" — opens tonight in Duluth! Also sending you lots of post-election love and gentleness.
Hello, there, my Friends.
Well. This has been a tough few days. For me, and for so many that I love. I don't have any "hot takes" about this election, and even if I did I don't think they would be particularly helpful. We all have to process right now. Just know that I am so sorry if you are hurting now, and I pray that you can reach out to even just one trusted person and vent, cry, and hug them tight. And if you're able to and up for it, reach out to lots of folks — participating in our communities reminds us that we are not alone and that our small lives can still make a positive impact in the lives of those around us.
My one piece of advice would be to feed your brain good food right now, in addition to whatever political news you feel you must consume (I am on a strict news diet for a few days, at least). Take some time to read inspirational quotes or daily devotionals. Listen to uplifting podcasts. Watch an enthralling documentary. Put on your favorite album. Pet a cat. Walk a dog. Get outside. Touch something beautiful every day.
I say this because it has resonated as true in my own life, again and again. There is always beauty alongside pain. Forever will joy be accompanied by sorrow. We don't get all of one and none of the other, not even on our darkest days. To tell any other story — that all hope is lost, that doom inevitably awaits us, that things will never get better, that we should live in constant fear — these are all simply distortions of reality. We don't know what's going to happen, in five minutes or in five years. We will deal with the future when it gets here, one day and one moment at a time. We always have.
That's not to say we should check out. We should indeed educate ourselves and be prepared to take action whenever it is in our power to do so (BTW, this blog is a great place to learn more about Disability History). We should never give up on creating a more just, more loving, more welcoming world. But we don't need to dwell in a dark future that will, no doubt, unfold differently than we expect, in big ways and in small.
Darkness is only ever half of the story.
There is always, always, always something beautiful to find in the world around you, if only the dandelion in the sidewalk crack or the light of your child's eyes. And even on our most wonderful, seemingly perfect days, we must be willing to acknowledge that others around the world are experiencing pain and sorrow. It keeps us grounded in the reality. We are alive. Change is the only constant. This moment right now matters, and we can choose how we live it. We can choose to be a light in the darkness.
I personally find a lot of comfort in the oft-cited quote by Mister Rogers: “Look for the helpers.” This quote should never be used to minimize the pain people feel or take away their space to grieve. But the truth remains, there are always helpers. In fact, positive change has only and ever been achieved by the helpers — and even though I am so sad about how the election turned out, I have to remember that a very sizable minority is still committed to love, peace, equality, compassion, and acceptance.
So I wanted to share a few things that have lifted my spirits lately. Recently I listened to this podcast about an amazing program called Project Success, started right here in Minnesota. I also was inspired by this Substack essay by my friend and fellow Pigface bandmate, Randy Blythe. I found this prayer by Nadia Bolz-Weber (sent to me by my assistant, Carrie) extremely moving. What has been bolstering you in these last few days? And throughout your life, what has given you a sense of hope in the midst of dark times? I was recently at an event where they played a pre-recorded message by Michael J. Fox. He wisely told the audience, "Gratitude makes optimism sustainable."
Yes, indeed.
In the days and weeks ahead, feel all the feels. Don't be afraid of expressing your emotions in a safe way, including your anger... Take up kickboxing — get fit while you rage! Put on some loud music and scream into your pillow! But at the same time, don't forget to look for the helpers. Try to find the beauty around you. Search for the things you are grateful for in life, the big and small. And give yourself grace if you fall down.
I'm sending you a hug today... Together, let's keep working for a more loving world.
Sincerely,
Gaelynn Lea
P.S. Tonight is the opening for my original play called "Invisible Fences" with the storyteller Kevin Kling at Zeitgeist Theater in Duluth, MN! It runs tonight until November 23rd and tickets are available HERE. Can’t afford the $25? Zeitgeist is a barrier-free theater and will accommodate you! Just email: mary@zeitgeistarts.com
This is a magical, musical fable about a grasshopper (Hoppy) and a green platypus (Largroff) that become best friends and go on an incredible journey... You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll leave feeling uplifted! It’s a bit surreal to be opening during election week, it also feels oddly appropriate. Our family-friendly, musical show is all about caring, friendships, celebrating disability, and imagination... Very much needed!
And we intentionally made the show as accessible as possible: there is ASL at every performance, there is built-in audio description (performed by our absolutely fabulous narrator / guitarist George Ellsworth), as well as captions above the stage. Masks are welcome at this show and we'll also have two air purifiers set up - so we hope that absolutely everyone feels like they belong at this fanciful production (including folks who are immunocompromised)! I hope to see you there — take good care either way!