Yin and yang. Positive, negative. Good days, bad days, ups and downs. Sometimes we have power over both, often we don't. These days it's hard  to be positive. People are out of work, strapped for cash, worried, angry. Negative is winning.

I have a little something that might help. For a few minutes anyway.

It's a list called a Polarity Meme. A way to offload a few frustrations and focus on the uplifting or just plain comforting things in our lives. 

The Polarity list can be personal, political, universal, local; include current events, issues or just fun stuff.

It isn't psychotherapy, just an exercise in existential release and relief. (Not sexual, but, uh, sure, go there if the shoe fits).

I'm free-associating my list on the fly, so let's not get bogged down in Order of Importance. I can't wait to see how much we have in common. Or not.

 

1. Selfish, cheesy, whiny, lazy, greedy, over-plumped-and-pumped, incredibly BORING Housewives of Any County.
They hit the TV screen and I want to chew my hand off to get to the remote. I can't change the channel or hit the Mute button fast enough to stop their attack on my eyes, ears and brain.  

2. The Michael Jackson circus. Which will never stop. 
People, please, learn to spell. A Pop star died, not a Pope. Networks spend millions of dollars so anchors can cover the memorial? LA spends millions of tax dollars on a pervert's funeral? YUCK.

3. Any form of abuse ... verbal, physical, psychological. 
People who inflict pain as a power trip are sick. Twisted. Despicable.

4. Drunk drivers.
Especially adults, who should know better but are so self-indulgent they just don't give a damn.

5. My husband's snoring.
I know he can't help it. Just like I can't help hating it. I regularly resort to giving him a pop in the arm to shut him up.

6. Cancer.
I hate my helplessness to keep it from attacking me and my family and friends. The reality that more stem cell research and less dollars spent competing with Viagra could save us just totally burns my ass.

7. Arrogant, rich piranha CEO's.
Especially when they flaunt it in this economy. They garnered fortunes by stiffing poor people. Cheated, lied, stole. They should rot in hell. Penniless. And foreclosed.

8. The smell of fish, raw or while it's cooking.
I gag just thinking about fish. Sushi? NFW. It's bait. Keep it away from me.

9. Self-serving, self-righteous, selfish, sell-out politicians.
Rove, Cheney, Palin, Sanford, Bush, the list is endless and nauseating. They don't serve us, they serve themselves ... and take huge helpings at the public trough while millions starve.

10. GUNS!
Kids with guns. Gangstas with guns. Songs and vids celebrating guns. Stone idiots who leave guns lying around the house where children live and play. Monsters who use guns just for the rush. Legislators who take money from the NRA to shoot down legislation on assault weapon bans. (Sorry, but I really hate guns. Seriously).

 ***10 Things I Love***

1. The very sight of my son.
He walks in, my heart swells with pride and my soul gets lighter. He's my gift from God. I don't smother, but nothing can top the amazing love I feel.

2. The sound of happiness in my mother's voice when I call her on the phone.
I guess it works for all generations, eh. 

3. Laughing until my stomach hurts.
Especially sitting around a big family table while my husband tells hilarious family stories as only he can.

4. Music.
Rock. Pop. Classical. Country. Standards. Oldies. Yes, even (some) Disco. It lifts my spirits like almost nothing else. More than chocolate. I am so grateful to be a hearing person so I can listen to --and be transported by-- the joy of music. 

5. Writing.
Sometimes it pours out of me effortlessly. Other times I think and research and edit and rewrite until I've got it right. Either way, it's as necessary to me as talking. Which, many would say, is sometimes, well, a little Too necessary.

6. My iPod.
Can't imagine life without it. I use it at the gym, during physical therapy, on airplanes, in the car (when my husband's driving), at the dentist, in waiting rooms. I can fill my head with music and close out the world.

7. The way my husband rubs my feet.
My whole body goes limp with relaxation as he kneads the arches, strokes the sides, finds the sweet spot, massages every toe. (Lonnie, eat your heart out!)

8. Reading in bed.
I need to read like I need to breathe. I literally can't fall asleep unless I read. I love leaving the day behind and drifting into someone else's fascinating world.

9. Watching cats move.
I love the sinuous way they walk, the powerful jumps, sensuous stretches, how their heads lift, their chins dip and their backs ripple with pleasure when they're stroked. (Kinda like me). Really. It's almost a sexual sensation. 

10. Baseball. Especially my Phillies.
Winning the World Series was a collectively orgasmic experience here in Philly. I'm an avid fan regardless. Yes, I'm a girl and yes I watch baseball games on TV, even alone, pacing, cursing at the screen, disagreeing with calls, jumping up and cheering my boys. I have the time of my life.

You gotta try a Polarity Meme of your own. It's fun. Plus, as I said, I want to learn more about you.

So ... Tag, you're it.


Full Disclosure: I tried a version of this in very early beta, got two great replies, from Lisa Lucas and Neil Paul. Now that I have lots of friends and am making so many new ones, I've rewritten it to help us get better acquainted.