While expressing anguish over the lows of the US Presidential debate, CHANA MEDDIN thanks God for all the contributions India has made to the world and her life and sees hope return with the promise of yet another new day

On September 29, the first Presidential debate took place. It degraded democracy. We’ve sunk, here in the U.S., to such a low I can barely remember how to make a cup of coffee. The rest of the world feels sorry for us. They should. We deserve every bit of the concern, worry and pity other countries express. We are 1930’s Germany, with Trump’s “Proud Boys” at the ready (as he instructed them last night, during the debate) to exert their White Supremacy throughout the land.

Anyone laughing at us is cruel. We are in trouble here and everybody I know is on edge. Americans are not enjoying good mental health. If we were actually working on site together, everyone would be gathering around the coffee maker to whisper their fear in hushed tones. How can this be America?

I don’t know. It’s smoky out again. How can this be? How can California be burning with Oregon and Washington not far behind? Those places in California were among some of the most idyllic…I always dreamed of that quintessential “cabin in the woods.” Now I imagine the dread of living that perfect life. The fear. Those living in California’s esteemed wine country interviewed on the radio yesterday are bending, if not outright breaking, from the strain.

Layer upon layer of the worst news we’ve faced since World War II greets us every day here. The coronavirus would have been enough. The lockdown and corresponding economic devastation would have been enough. Racial inequity, injustice and outpouring of protesters and subsequent violence would have been enough. Climate change with concurrent forest fires and hurricanes would have been enough. Losing Ruth Bader Ginsberg would have been enough. Flags still sit at half mast.

Chana Meddin

But now the very real threat posed by a sitting President who has the intention of remaining in office despite the ballot count…he’s already triggering a Constitutional crisis in the midst of all the other chaos. Chaos he thrives on, but that drives the rest of us to question our sanity.

It’s a good time not to be a journalist. I’d have had a nervous breakdown soon after the last election. They don’t get to come up for air as our crises have become more rapid-fire than a machine gun.

But, it’s time to meditate. To enjoy a cup of hot, spicy chai tea (wickedly laced with Starbucks instant coffee.)  To meditate. Practice yoga. Take a walk. OK, scratch the walk. I still have bronchitis from the last “smoke event,” as they are being called. The sun is bright red in a sky whose colour I cannot describe. Smoky? How do we go on beneath all the smoke yoking us to the threat of democracy?

One foot at a time, I guess. One mindfulness sitting at a time. One cup of chai laced with Starbucks. Pet the cat.

Take deep breaths on and off the yoga mat. Water the plants. Propagate new ones.

Thank God for all the contributions India has made to the world and my life. If I didn’t have this wisdom…and time to enjoy it. Unimaginable.

The chai is delicious. My kitty is purring. We will survive another day here in America. Possibly, even thrive.

Hope returns with the promise of yet another new day.


Chana “Hana” Meddin is a lifelong meditator, nature photographer, artist, and wildlife advocate. She has written for the Times of India’s ‘Speaking Tree’ and has a story published in Oswald Pereira’s book, ‘How to Create Miracles in Our Daily Life.’ She lives in Seattle with her cat, Annabelle Fluff. They both enjoy yoga.

(Presidential debate pic courtesy ABC News)

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