Many years ago I went camping with a bunch of my cousins, siblings, and our significant others in Yosemite. It was amazing, but midway through our week there we got heavy rain overnight. We discovered that our tents were not as waterproof as we expected, or we just didn’t set things up right, because we were all Southern California born and raised kids who had years of living through droughts.

Anyway, all of my cousins and siblings gradually abandoned the tents as water seeped in and decamped* for the cars. Here’s what I wrote back then:

“Everyone abandoned the tents for the cars. Sean and I stayed. I knew I wouldn’t sleep in a crowded SUV. The tent was cold, and the thunder and lightning was scary, but I was still relatively dry. I even slept a little. Sean wasn’t so lucky and got dripped on a little more later in the night. My cousins joked that we were like the old couple in Titanic cuddling on their bunk as the deck flooded, resigned to their fate. At least we didn’t get washed away or had the tent collapse on us.” (from Yosemite Day 3)

Nearly 15 years later, we’re still laughing about this and have told the story to our children. They have never seen the movie, but they’ve seen the memes and get the visual.

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This is what came to mind as I went to work at a university where I lead diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in STEM. I know the work I do is valuable, necessary, and important. I know it’s backed up by theory and numerous studies along with my experience working in the field. I wish I could brush off the attacks and keep it moving, but as I write this at least one program I run may be impacted due to being grant-funded. I don’t know what’s to come, but I know I will keep doing the work whether there is federal support or not.

***

I just finished, The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams. It’s the February pick for the church book club which always does at least one religious or spiritual book a year along with other nonfiction or literary fiction books. It came at a perfect time as I try to keep myself from doomscrolling with all that’s going on.

I’ve already begun to incorporate some of the practices to bring more joy. One is gratitude and they suggested a daily gratitude journal. Things I’ve noted in the past couple of days:

• Long voice notes from my younger brother. He sends voice notes as he goes about his work day. They make me laugh, even when the topics are tough. His work route was in Altadena and was heavily impacted by the recent fires.
• A position that allows me to take health/personal days as I need them. I felt particularly drained and tired one day this week and called out. That rest day felt good.
• Jigsaw puzzles. I’ve always loved putting together puzzles. I borrow them from a nonprofit toy library and listen to podcasts or audiobooks as I work.