Another fine mess.


Hello friends. I come to you today not quite knowing how to feel about these life and times.

One day I’ll be filled with a curious optimism, and the next maybe not so much. It’s curious for a myriad of facts, chief among them being that optimism in the face of a global pandemic is not normally my style. But the thing is this- If you zoom way out into deep outer space, and take a look at this planet we’re on, the fact that we even exist here is something of a miracle. All forms of plant and animal life thrive on this rock that spins around in the middle of billions of miles of nothing. And we, (the human-folk) generally sit pretty comfortably at the top of the food chain, primping, and manicuring our environment to suit our needs. We haven’t really had to face anything like this for a century, and from a biological/sociological/theological perspective, it’s an interesting thing to watch transpire.

Certainly, I’d rather it not be happening at all, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think we’d been pushing our luck for decades, and that we were due for some heavy reorganization. No matter how we try and craft our realities, we, as an animal living here own this planet are simply not impervious to the whims of nature. Beyond any of this, you might recall that the Mayans made mention on their calendar that starting in 2012, we were due for a profound reset. I’m of the belief that this is that. We can fight it all we want, but the universe is in control, and I suppose it’s in that, I find a fair degree of comfort.

I heard a phrase yesterday that I liked a real lot- “You don’t have to know the way. The way knows the way.

In the big picture, I feel like this community and I been training for an event like this our whole lives. Personally speaking, I see us as pretty a resourceful lot, we spend a good deal of time alone anyway, we’re empathetic, compassionate, creative, and physically fairly well tuned. The strengths I see us collectively having are worth more than all the guns and toilet paper in the world.

The other day I woke up both feeling so fortunate that A) I still have a roof over my head, B) and have a little money in the bank, that I felt like I’d won the lottery.

Anyway, I spend each day running down a list of things I’m grateful for, not the least of which are that nobody gives a shit about the Kardashians anymore. Then on the days when I focus on the greater details like just how many people will be lost to this, the fact that throughout C-19’s run, other illnesses, injuries, and so forth won’t take a holiday, further taxing the healthcare system, the gross incompetence of the federal government, and if my community and I will actually be able to survive this, my perspective gets a little more cloudy.

Then the wheels come off the cart completely, and I start thinking about conspiracies involving the Illuminati, the Denver International Airport, if I’ll be able to see my family again, attempting to control that which I cannot, and it’s about at that point, I get a wave of the panic and I have to put myself in the corner.

So, my mom, who might be one of the wisest humans I’ve ever known, has long been fond of reminding me that while you cannot always control a situation, you can at the very least control your response to it.

This is a good thing to keep close to the front of your brain. Yes, these are supremely scary times, and I suspect that are on a course to get so, so much gnarlier. But, in the here and now, looking down the road does no one any good.

If I could offer any advice, and I’m saying this as much for my own benefit as anything, it would be something like this. Firstly, limit your news intake. Putting your device down and turning off the television will provide even a sliver of peace of mind, which these days is in short supply. Since we can’t do much of anything though our waking hours anyway, spend a fair block of the beginning of your day doing something mindful. Lay in bed, and clear your thoughts for thirty minutes, or meditate, or take a walk, or whatever. Don’t grab your phone, or turn on your computer. DeMonika got herself a coloring book, and I’ve been painting a revision of that clown pile;

It’s a nice distraction, and gives you a chance to breathe.

At some point during your day, maybe FaceTime a beer shotgun with your homie;

Thirdly, bolster your immune system, and I mean, make it an absolute fortress. For me, this at least gives me a piece of mind that if I wake up with a scratchy throat, my defenses are extra bomber. It likely just means that I slept with Ike’s cat-hand in my mouth again, and that I won’t be dead in five days.

Though I don’t follow his doctrine in lock-step, a huge component of my directive in these efforts has been Anthony Williams, (who I’ve referenced here before). He has this PDF currently available on his site that you can access which details all kind of useful information regarding nutrition and vitamin supplements, but the super short version of the regiment I’ve been on is basically everything on this page, primarily liquid zinc, nettle, cat’s claw, and lemon balm.

Here’s a little bit more on maintaining good health that I gleaned from Enriching Gifts;

Any virus, including Coronavirus COVID-19, can’t do any damage to your body unless it invades a cell wall (membrane) and begins replicating that cell’s DNA. Since all your cell walls are made up of two layers of fat, it is imperative that you consume Essential Fatty Acids in your diet. They can be found in seeds, nuts, and dark green vegetables. Yes, the omega-3’s are an essential fatty acid.

Remember that your Immune System first determines if a foreign invader is either necessary or an enemy to your body. The main cells that make up your Immune System are the White Blood Cells, the Gut Microbiome (this includes Pro Biotic bacteria), and Mucus. Mucus can actually isolate foreign invaders (pathogens) and prevent them from invading a cell membrane.

Staying hydrated is also vital, and if you can squeeze some lemon in your water, I back the hell out of it, as lemon is naturally anti-viral;

The rule of thumb for water consumption is one needs to drink half of one’s weight in ounces of water a day. You weight 200 pounds? Drink 100 ounces, or, if it’s easier to remember, that’s just shy of three 40 ounce beers worth of water per day;

With the added benefit of helping you stay healthy, and not ending up barfing straight into your own hands.

Just beyond that, simply do what you can to make your world a little smaller;

And please, please remember to be gentle with yourself.

Remember all of that talk from me over the course of the last year and a half about trying to learn how to be nice to myself? I truly believe that it was in preparation for not only right now, but an even greater bridge that I’ve yet to come to.

At least in the here and now, I can use this platform to try and spread a little bit of positivity, and hope, because even though I have them both currently, Dog only knows what kind of mess tomorrow might bring.

Spread this like it's sick

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20 Responses to “Another fine mess.”

  1. andy_vibes March 24, 2020 at 5:44 am #

    Thanks Stevil. I actually needed this today.

  2. Krikor March 24, 2020 at 7:33 am #

    Thank you

  3. Momsue March 24, 2020 at 7:45 am #

    I rest my case.?

  4. Murray Washburn March 24, 2020 at 8:06 am #

    So, I’ve been staying off the interwebs generally, and anti-social media in particular these days. Then I venture back on and the first thing I see is this. Thank you, Stevil, for consistently reminding me that even with all its flaws, this life is a pretty great adventure. Yer a good human. Miss you.

    • micHELLe March 24, 2020 at 11:50 am #

      Wow. Just wow. Thank you.

  5. Duke March 24, 2020 at 8:39 am #

    Thanks .

  6. CD March 24, 2020 at 10:04 am #

    Amen, brother.

  7. Dr. Buckaroo Banzai March 24, 2020 at 10:20 am #

    What he said.

  8. JS March 24, 2020 at 10:57 am #

    Yeah. What they all said. For realz.

    Keep on keeping on Stevil.

    Luv ya

  9. Gile Photography March 24, 2020 at 11:48 am #

    That’s the positive message that a lot of people need right now, thanks for being that in this place you’ve grown. A clown painting in the mail and framing it and hanging it in my dungeon, made my quarantine day yesterday.

  10. Ted March 24, 2020 at 1:09 pm #

    Not that what I say matters, but that quote from Enriching Gifts is such utter nonsensical BS. Please don’t take your health advice from people who stand to benefit financially from that advice.

    • Stevil March 24, 2020 at 3:12 pm #

      Like the medical industry for instance?

      • Ted March 25, 2020 at 8:13 am #

        Sure, Stevil, not taking health advice from the pharmaceutical industry also sounds fine to me. Don’t twist my words and don’t try to misrepresent me as some sort of shill. I’m an epidemiologist with no dog in that fight. However, there’s one notable difference. At least with pharmaceuticals there is often a wealth of published data to pore over with regard to safety and effectiveness. I’d point out that supplements are not meant to treat any condition (per their label) and that they are covered under the FDA’s DSHEA Act of 1994. If you’re suspicious of anything, I would think it would be an entire industry whose only regulation is to regulate itself. That worked out really well with the banks, right?

        • Stevil March 25, 2020 at 9:22 am #

          From my perspective, all I was attempting to describe nutrition as a foundation for good health. I’ve seen one of the partners from EG for blood work, and avoided a heart attack with a simple shift in diet, and plant enzymes, (so I’m speaking only from my personal experience). With the quote I included, I didn’t get the sense that they were talking about treating any illnesses with anything, but rather attempting to prevent them with strong immunities and a healthy diet.

          • Ted March 25, 2020 at 9:35 am #

            The direct implication is that consuming essential fatty acids will prevent COVID-19. If you didn’t have sufficient nutrients to manufacture cell membranes you’d be dead from malnutrition. Eating more isn’t some miracle prevention. My overarching problem here is that people and companies take some minor biology fact and twist it to mean that adding more will “boost your immunity” (total nonsense term; what about allergies and rheumatic conditions? Those represent hypersensitized immune function) or prevent or cure your ailments. Just doesn’t work that way.

          • Peter March 29, 2020 at 7:38 am #

            I’m with Ted.

            Listen to Sawbones podcast for an entertaining trip through the history of quack medicine.
            https://maximumfun.org/podcasts/sawbones/ Hosted by a doctor and her husband and truly worth your time.

            The things you recommend above likely won’t hurt someone. And good nutrition is important. But relying on nutrition or alternatives to medicine can lead people to avoid the help they need. Help which is dispensed by doctors. Doctors are not the enemy.

            Hate the capitalism that makes doctors and medicine expensive all you want. But do not hate the doctors and the medicine.

            I think your post had a lot of positive and good advice and I think you included the nutrition information from a good place in your head. But let’s please not pretend that eating well and staying hydrated is going to save us. Isolating and hand washing will do that.

  11. Devin Curran March 25, 2020 at 4:55 am #

    Wise

  12. J LEDDY March 25, 2020 at 6:26 am #

    Thanks. This helps me stay between the lines of the sanity highway.

  13. Maverick Ironwood March 25, 2020 at 11:20 am #

    “You don’t have to know the way. The way knows the way.”

    Sticker Please!

  14. AJ Tendick March 31, 2020 at 7:33 am #

    Ted has some good points but I think he’s reading too far into it because of his profession. And that’s fine, good to have a counter balance. I will say, that I’ve changed up my diet to include way more veggies, and I take vitamins, some supplements and probiotics etc now and I’ve dropped 20lbs and just generally feel way better. Is it gonna stop me from getting corona-time, no, that’s why my whole family is taking this seriously and we are minimizing any outside trips, isolating etc. But during this time that is a hell of a lot tougher mentally, I have confidence that feeling better physically (energy, gut health (you really wanna talk about my poops?)) is helping me mentally weather this crap.

    Steve I was glad to read what felt like some strength and optimism coming from you. We are all in this together, alone, so I appreciate reading your screeds.