✈️ TREE 813: A loss of cabin pressure

I’m back. Thanks for your patience. At work, the brand is launched. The self-publishing workshop was a success. (Notes here if you’re interested.) Mother’s Day has been celebrated.

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Because I’m a super cheery guy, I’ve been thinking a lot about the rise of authoritarianism, institutional ossification, the human determination to divide, wars, genocides and an earthquake. I’ve asked myself if I’m doing enough. Do the situations we are in demand me to speak differently, to take a stand, to announce what I’m for and what I’m against?

My answer to my last question, after considering for some time, is: nope.

If I did, I would be as useful as an oxygen mask giving its opinion on the storm that sucked the faulty door off the metaphorical aeroplane we’re all flying in. The oxygen mask has one job: to deliver air when the normal air delivery system is failing.

TREE has one job: to deliver a fresh thought to your inbox every weekday. It’s a little part of the oxygen mask that keeps your airflow strong so you can do the work you need to do. Other parts are eating well, sleeping, exercise, connecting with other humans, spending time outside with animals and plants, etc.

We are, without doubt experiencing a loss of cabin pressure. So we secure our own masks before helping those around us. If TREE helps you do that, it’s doing its job.

My answer to my first question, am I doing enough, is: I don’t know. I’m trying to to keep my eyes and heart open so I can see what is needed from me and be willing to act.

Kae Tempest’s latest!

I left you with a Punzle a couple weeks ago. I was looking for the name of a Hollywood movie star. The clue was: That guy is really good at scarves.

Someone who is really good at scarves is a scarf ace. Take out the space and you have Scarface, the title of a classic film starring Al Pacino.

I think it was possibly too hard. Friday’s won’t be quite as tough.

It’s good to be back with you!
Jeff