January 6th, 2021
A long time ago, someone close to me hit rock bottom. They were caught in an addiction, a downward spiral. It was years of addiction, ups and downs, no way out.
The people in and around this person were either enablers, felt helpless in their efforts, or both. It was an emotional roller-coaster, with many trials and tribulations. The only answer was time, waiting for the person to hit rock bottom, an opportunity to finally help them through their own personal madness.
The bottom took place, and it was not pretty. The person was alone, in a troubled state, afraid, in dire need of help. However, it was truly the bottom and once this occurred, those around helped clean them up, feed, nurture, get them shelter, and begin the process of starting a new life, with new opportunities for growth and strength. This was the chance to guide them towards a more fruitful life.
Today, America hit rock bottom. America has an addiction, many addictions, but a very defined one that was spotlighted today. America couldn’t fight through, figure out how to get to the other side of this addiction. Up until today, America was unable to get through to the other side. America was descending. In this moment, America was even fighting through an election which has taken place for centuries, continuously accomplished in a peaceful manner. Ultimately on this day, January 6, 2021, America bottomed out and we were all witnesses. The world witnessed. The world took notes.
As America has tried to help countries towards democracy, our own was in peril, today. The words “coup”, “breach”, “invasion”, “mob” used repeatedly throughout the broadcasts. Witnessed in full force, in full color, with human beings acting out the unimaginable, in places we never thought possible.
Early in the morning, as I was going through my daily grind, as I would on any normal day, someone close to me sent me a text. “You need to watch this.” I blew their text off, knowing there was going to be some news but I had my work to accomplish. The texts continued; I resigned to viewing.
The rest of the day I did my best to accomplish as much work as possible. Ultimately anyone I would be speaking to or dealing with would witness and watch the events of the moment. Heavily involved, monitoring today’s events, it was surreal, unreal and impossible to believe.
The actions of January 6th, 2021, to me, is no different than addictions, or when someone cries for help, whether directly or indirectly. The country, and the world, was warned a day like this would occur. Endless reading, endless social media conversations, endless news reports, endless discussions. The downward spiral, cycle and ultimately, the bottom, of which were the actions witnessed. It is a constant to discuss the potential of an action until the discussion becomes the reality. What seemed impossible become the reality.
Tonight, the coverage is now towards America’s elected officials, speaking on the events of the day and what is to be the conclusion of the electoral process. We watch the congressional process work, all of the nuts and bolts in front of our ears and eyes. Soon, as one would hope, there will be the conclusion of the process to elect a new president, chosen by the people, to take office.
Democracy is not easy. Democracy is not clean. Frankly, democracy is not fun. Democracy is a necessity for the growth and prosperity of humans. Democracy has a price, and the actions witnessed on January 6th, 2021 are why America is a bull horn, shouting to the world. America is far from perfect and when seen at its lowest, when America hits its bottom, there are people of strength and sincerity who rise up and show us that this democracy and this constitution has its rightful place in the world, and while not perfect, this American democracy is the right way to govern a society.
It’s been impossible to take my eyes off the television, to listen to those in power speak on these events and the events to come. I watch at this moment while writing these thoughts. It is the hope, in moments like these, there is educational moments from these extraordinary days that take place. Learning moments, moments that force us to understand how exactly we came to these events, with the hope they are never repeated, even though we know down the road we will witness again. Maybe in a year, maybe in 100 years. Inarticulate actions such as today will happen again. Education is the answer.
As Americans, we are very lucky to live in this country. even with our complex problems and endless challenges. However, just like my friend who suffered from addiction, the person, and our country, needed to hit rock bottom in order to rise up, America is no different than any person. Today, America hit bottom. The hope is to lift America up, help herrise from these ashes, and make us all better than we were on this morning.
