The Unseen Art of Thriving in a World Turned Upside Down

Hey you!

Yes, you, with the eyes that have seen one too many mainstream news cycles, spinning like a dizzy toddler on a sugar rush. It feels like the world's got its socks on inside out, and nothing makes sense anymore.

And it doesn't. That book has been closed, and the next one reads eerily like Octavia Butler's "Parable of the Sower."

But hey, pull up a chair, grab your favorite mug (I'll wait), and let's chat about something really wild – thriving in a world that feels like we've all walked into the wrong movie theater.

First things first, let's get back to basics.

Remember when chatting with family and friends didn't involve tagging each other in endless memes? Crazy thought – but what if we began chatting over the fence again or dialed a number and talked (shocking)? A human voice, real laughter, maybe even a wet tear.

Connecting one-on-one is like that secret ingredient your grandma always said made everything better. Spoiler alert: She was right.

Here's a cheeky idea – have you ever considered volunteering? Hold on, don't roll your eyes. Friends in Deed, the Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, and the local food bank are a few well-known organizations. But how about this: The National Archives is sending out the call for Wisdom Workers (my term for those over 65) to transcribe cursive. If you're a Wisdom Worker, you'll remember repeatedly writing letters on that manilla-lined paper to make them cursive perfect. We are part of the almost last generation to be taught cursive. Choose a topic, then a document, dive into history, and who knows? Leave a legacy by connecting the past with the future. No hashtags are involved.

Speaking of hashtags. Here's something wild: maybe it's time to break up with your social media accounts. Forever. Get beyond the addiction and remember that life isn't lived in a scroll. What if we discovered the actual value of cell phones lies in their ability to give directions and capture those moments that make your heart do that funny little dance?

And goodness, yes, art! Express the chaos of your soul, even if it's through interpretive macaroni sculptures. It's time to create. In a world that often feels short on magic, making art is your secret door in a tree trunk that leads to a magical world where you rule, and the toads are your friends.

And hey, control who you support with your money. Voting with your dollars isn't just a catchphrase; it's like choosing which world you want to live in. For us, it's values over convenience. We no longer support Uline, Hobby Lobby, Sprouts, or Amazon (to name a few). I even canceled my beloved Audible subscription and signed up for Libby and Hoopla for when I travel.

Support the underdogs, the independent thinkers, the brave journalists who aren't on your TV screen. Have you ever checked out Substack? The Contrarian (more opinion than actual news) may become the highlight of your mornings. NZZ provides global reporting, and Heather Cox Richardson sums the political scene up nicely. In contrast, the Border Chronicle provides news along the southern border. The Halfway Cafe is good for a chuckle; Oldster often provides food for thought; Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists helps me to stay dialed in, as does Popular Information, The Weekly List, Important Not Important, and Robert Reich. 

Speaking of breaks, stop scrolling for just a second. Remember books? Those things that don't have notifications popping up every five minutes. Dust one-off, crack it open, and I promise, the way it redefines boredom will have you questioning your life choices (in the best way).

But here's the thing: it's not all about quiet nights and books. Sometimes, we must put our feet into protests that stir our souls and lend our hands to organizations where callouses develop. Those who sit around the flame absorb the campfire wisdom we share.

Do less, be more. Wasn't this bit of wisdom on a psychedelic 1960s poster? Let's dive deep and swim wide, finding pockets of joy, wisdom, and sometimes just downright silliness in a world that seems to have forgotten how to smile.

Turn this world inside out and find the hidden pockets of marvelousness alone or with others. Please do it. Let's thrive, not in spite of the madness, but a little bit because of it.

Because who said we can't make our own rules in this game called life?

Until next time, keep it real and remember that the best stories and facts are found off the beaten path (probably not on your social media or mainstream newsfeed).

PS: If you have any campfire wisdom to share, please lay it on us.