When I look over the reciepts for the week and pay the bills, I listen to a Darker Shade of Pagan, a Pagan music podcast. It helps to keep my head up. And keeps me connected to something much more pleasing than capitalism.

Watching a film like “1984,” “Blade Runner, ” or “The Manchurian Candidate” could work if you like classics, especially if you could find the original versions. Something more lighthearted like Del Toro’s “Pan’s Labyrinth” or Bunuel’s “Discrete Charm …” often gives me the fleeting feeling of mocking, shaming and being superior to the ruling junta controlling our financial institutions & their political hired guns now squeezing the life out of us. Reading can also take our mind’s off of one superficial aspect while revealing others more intrinsic to the current currency model, such as Chomsky’s “Failed States” or Poulantzas’ “Fascism & Dictatorship,” both dry but highly recommended for teasing out some of the mechanics behind all these economic apparati upon which our society is too-often based.

Well, last month she was diagnosed w/ stage 4 lung cancer, which had also spread to her brain.

There was a period of time (around the diagnosis…..while they thought it was something else) that she was really sick/impaired. Couldn’t read, hard time walking etc.

Now that the diagnosis has been reached, it’s being treated agressively…..and she’s feeling better.

Is she worried? (you’d certainly expect so) No.

She’s learned to enjoy each day. And is amazed what that’s like. The sun on her face, the ability to walk (and read). Wishing, it’s true, that she’d learned this a long time ago……but that’s OK. She’s learned it now (in time, so to speak).

And, I think it’s a lesson for all of us.

Now I’m not suggesting skipping around like Pollyanna.

But you asked about how to carry on. Well, she’s a wonderful example.

The sun is shining & you can enjoy it on your face. Or the rain has returned……you can join the earth in celebrating that oh-so-precious liquid. When feeling overwhelmed, taking the time to be in the moment & be grateful.

And our life-long worrier……she doesn’t worry any more. She’s here. She’s feeling better (and enjoying every minute of it……it’s been made real to her, that it isn’t forever so savoring is important).

And I think that’s something all of us can learn from.

If it got me through the death of my father, it can get me through anything.