Love what or who you love

It’s Valentine’s Day again. If you’re un-partnered or unhappily partnered it can be a painful reminder of your singularity. But we always have options...

1. Hang out with a good friend (“Galentine's Day”).

2. “Celebrate yourself,” like Walt Whitman. Forty-four pages of ecstatic self-love in his Song of Myself, from 1855:  I exist as I am—that is enough; If no other in the world be aware, I sit content; And if each and all be aware, I sit content.

Since you may not be as gifted poet as Walt, you can also just write yourself a little love letter. Here’s a sample–you can fill in the blanks or devise your own: 

     Dear Me, 
     I love the way that I _________.
     I'm really good at  _________ and _________.
     Not to mention how I _________.   I am _________. I am also _________.  
     The world is lucky to have my contributions of  _________. 
     I matter. Who I am makes a difference. 
     With love,
     Me

3. Enjoy love with/in a good book. 

• This Is Happiness by Niall Williams--one of the most gorgeously written books I’ve read in years. It’s many love stories woven into one: love of the Irish landscape, Irish characters and their stories in a simpler time; adolescent love; elderly love; community love; un-fulfilled but fulfilling love. It’s poignant and sweet, and often laugh-out-loud funny. You will long to visit Ireland. 
   
• This is Not a Book about Benedict Cumberbatch: The Joy of Loving Something–Anything–Like your Life Depends On It,  by Tabitha Carvan, a happily married 40-year-old Aussie, who says the early motherhood years hijacked her sense of self and her ability to create space for her own joy. She becomes obsessed with the actor, and discovers the world of Cumberbitches and fan fiction. But as the title states, it's really about feeling OK about loving whatever it is that floats your boat, however frivolous, unproductive, or (heaven forbid) girlish. No one looks askance at men who are obsessed with their sports teams, but society frowns on adult women having obsessions. She’s funny, smart, and relatable. The book is surprisingly meaty, and I love her breezy style.

4. And as always, put yourself in the way of beauty 
A joyous dragon by Ai WeiWei at Alcatraz, 2015. (I'm a Dragon....rarrr!)  
Gung hay fat choy! 

And a spectacular costume of bark on NW 18th. Love the belted waist.


Unfrivolous Obsessions: I'm deadly serious about saving democracy from a coordinated total takeover by Trump's party. I do not exaggerate. Just one example: The House worked for months to create a bi-partisan immigration bill that gives the Republicans everything they wanted, then at the last minute Trump tells his toadies to vote it down, along with aid to Ukraine. Why??? Because it will give Biden the ability to say he finally got a comprehensive immigration bill passed. Then they vote to impeach Sec. of Homeland Security Mayorkas for not doing enough on the border. Throwing the country under the bus to placate a vengeful madman. 

And one more thing: Biden's mental acuity. That report was a hit job by a Trump-appointed special counsel. Here's what Jonathan Alter, who's covered him for decades had to say: I first met Joe Biden during the 1988 presidential campaign, and I’ve interviewed him many times since. In 2016, I spent weeks with him on and off when writing profiles for the New York Times and Politico. He has been repeating corny stories, mixing up words (partly a product of a stutter he overcame), and tangling his syntax for all the years I’ve known him. It’s part of what made him one of the worst presidential candidates I’ve ever covered, even as he is proving to be one of the best presidents of recent years. The memory and language lapses are worse now, but only marginally so. This is what every Biden aide I’ve discussed this with confirms. The man is old but not senile. Full-stop.   
The mistakes Biden makes are nothing compared to those by Trump, who is just three years younger and indicted on 91 counts for an insane variety of crimes. 

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If you haven't yet bought the Cherry Pie Paradox, may I humbly suggest the process and practices are the best way to fulfill your annual New Years' Weight Loss resolution, once and for all. You can eat what you love, without packing on the pounds. Really. I also have copies on hand if you want to buy direct. 

Then, request the FREE AUDIOBOOK! For owners of the Cherry Pie Paradox or the workbook. I’ve found a new home for the audiobook version, where I can set the price however I want. If you already have a copy of the book or workbook and would like the audiobook, just email me (joy.overstreet@gmail.com) and I'll send you the info. If you do not yet have the book and want to buy it, Venmo me $20 @Joy-Overstreet, and I'll mail you a signed copy and the audiobook link. (Use the email link above and add your name, address, and any message you'd like when I sign it.)