I Want To Sail Far, Far Away...
- Valerie Anne Burns
- Jul 12
- 5 min read
Sailing in Caribbean waters is taking up real estate in my mind. It's a blissful escape I am in desperate need of in these times. As an empath, I'm feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders and in my heart. If a Knight in Shining Armor showed up at my door (as cliche` as that may sound) holding his hand out to say, "Come with me to get away from all this". I would simply say, Ok. I want to dive deep in the warm tropical ocean to the cooler water below where there is a silence like no other. I could then swim on top of the sea to look down upon a whole world of colorful fish and bright coral... a world that participates in their own stream of values and in a flow with nature.
How do I, you, cope with the demands on daily life along with the reality of our country's demise?
In all honesty, due to my depression and anxiety worsening, I had to go under psychiatric care for
medication. I held out for eight months and rarely on a medication like this. It had been decades. My meditation, grounding, exercise, close friendships, providing a beauty break for friends like a proper tea (I love being a hostess), walking in grass to ground myself, and the ritual of my morning tea in silence wasn't cutting it. It was trusted doctors and my therapist who strongly advised that I get help. I am not alone in turning to this in our turbulent times.
None of this is to say I ignore gratitude. Each morning in meditation I state my gratitude for a roof over my head, true friends, nature, and my therapy cat, Lucia. Regardless of ritual, beauty, and gratitude, I feel heartbroken, foggy brained, untethered.... adrift. Do any of my readers experience any of the same feelings?
How we got to where we are in this country is unfathomable and as each day comes and goes, the corruption, lies, cruelty, and chaos grows deeper, darker, and more dangerous.
The following are stated by respected women of public service and expertise saying it netter than I could say it myself:.
― Madeleine K. Albright, Fascism: A Warning
“We cannot, of course, expect every leader to possess the wisdom of Lincoln or Mandela’s largeness of soul. But when we think about what questions might be most useful to ask, perhaps we should begin by discerning what our prospective leaders believe it worthwhile for us to hear.
Do they cater to our prejudices by suggesting that we treat people outside our ethnicity, race, creed or party as unworthy of dignity and respect?
Do they want us to nurture our anger toward those who we believe have done us wrong, rub raw our grievances and set our sights on revenge?
Do they encourage us to have contempt for our governing institutions and the electoral process?
Do they seek to destroy our faith in essential contributors to democracy, such as an independent press, and a professional judiciary?
Do they exploit the symbols of patriotism, the flag, the pledge in a conscious effort to turn us against one another?
If defeated at the polls, will they accept the verdict, or insist without evidence they have won?
Do they go beyond asking about our votes to brag about their ability to solve all problems put to rest all anxieties and satisfy every desire?
Do they solicit our cheers by speaking casually and with pumped up machismo about using violence to blow enemies away?
Do they echo the attitude of Mussolini: “The crowd doesn’t have to know, all they have to do is believe and submit to being shaped.”?
Or do they invite us to join with them in building and maintaining a healthy center for our society, a place where rights and duties are apportioned fairly, the social contract is honored, and all have room to dream and grow.
The answers to these questions will not tell us whether a prospective leader is left or right-wing, conservative or liberal, or, in the American context, a Democrat or a Republican. However, they will us much that we need to know about those wanting to lead us, and much also about ourselves.
For those who cherish freedom, the answers will provide grounds for reassurance, or, a warning we dare not ignore.”
“Hitler lied shamelessly about himself and about his enemies. He convinced millions of men and women that he cared for them deeply when, in fact, he would have willingly sacrificed them all. His murderous ambition, avowed racism, and utter immorality were given the thinnest mask, and yet millions of Germans were drawn to Hitler precisely because he seemed authentic. They screamed, “Sieg Heil” with happiness in their hearts, because they thought they were creating a better world.”
(P.S. - Sound like someone you know?)
The following is from a true, honest patriot and public servant , Stacey Abrams where she states the key signs of authoritarianism:
(P.S. - We're there full-stop)
Undermining faith in democratic institutions: Casting doubt on the legitimacy of elections, courts, and the media creates an environment ripe for strongman rule.
Consolidating power: Expanding executive power and weakening the checks and balances designed to keep the government honest is a red flag.
Targeting vulnerable groups: Blaming economic and social problems on marginalized communities and attacking diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives fuels division and distracts from accountability.
Suppressing dissent and protest: Discouraging protests and restricting freedom of assembly are tactics used to silence opposition and maintain control.
Controlling information and spreading propaganda: Creating echo chambers and dismissing credible news sources while pushing a narrative that often contradicts the truth can manipulate public opinion.
Incentivizing private violence and intimidation: Encouraging or normalizing actions that lead to fear and silence opposition, including the use of state or private forces to suppress dissent, is a dangerous step towards authoritarianism.
Threatening the ability to hold fair elections: Ultimately, if the foundational elements of free and fair elections are compromised, the path to a truly democratic future is jeopardized.
Abrams emphasizes the importance of remaining vigilant, speaking truth to power, and engaging in collective action to defend democratic principles and prevent the slide into authoritarianism.
Aside from activism, I hope the Universe will provide my ticket to sail away for a peaceful break. Meantime, I will be participating in the nation-wide protest on July 17th! Let's all standup against tyranny overtaking the United States of America. We need to get our country's decency, freedom, rule-of-law, federal agencies that protect us, and our constitution back. If you are in Santa Barbara, feel free to contact me to meet up at the protest. Here is a link discussing this next important protest. :
Be well, vigilant, and safe.
Keep on swimming through life,
Valerie Anne
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