Good morning,
Today, a musing about the Musings, as they reach #1000 (400 as “Musings From the Bunker” and 600 as “Musings Beyond the Bunker”). Glenn Raines, one of my oldest and dearest friends, whom I’ve known from the “Anaheim Days,” calls the Musings a “fire hose of content.” It’s not surprising, when one person sets out to share their innermost thoughts and curate the additional commentary of friends, this this works out to a lot. So, what’s the purpose of it all?
THE MUSINGS BEGIN
In the early morning of March 14, 2020, as the COVID pandemic was settling in and isolation seemed to be our lot for some period of time, I pulled out my laptop and began typing away a missive to a dozen or so friends. I called it my “Musings From the Bunker,” announcing that I would be writing my daily musings to them as a group throughout the days of COVID. Three years and more than a thousand such missives later, I’m still musing and they’re still reading, albeit with the addition of hundreds of additional friends.
I’m not sure what motivated me to engage in this enterprise. Was it because we were embarking on a journey together with an unknown duration, direction or end? Was it because I sensed we would all be lonelier before too long and would look to each other for comfort, news, and inspiration? Possibly it was an acknowledgement that the changes to our work lives would provide a void that required filling. Perhaps it my need to find some sort of catharsis for myself as I contemplated how life would change.
PANDEMIC AS SEMINAL EVENT
Notwithstanding the revisionist theories that “it wasn’t so bad” and “all the isolation was unnecessary” and “masks don’t do anything” (that last one is from people who apparently don’t believe in germ theory). In my life, there are days that forever mark that periods around them as “before” and an “after.” There are more than one would think. The assassination of JFK, the summer of 1968 and the assassinations of RFK and MLK, the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, the Challenger explosion, 9/11, and the onset of COVID are among them. COVID wasn’t a fixed moment as much as a slow trickle that became a snowball. For those who look back now and say, “it wasn’t a big deal,” they are exercising selective memory.
Back in March of 2020, were embarking into unknown territory. Most of you are familiar with the thesis of “Bowling Alone.” In a nutshell, it observes that in the 1950s, we had far more ways to connect with our neighbors. People interacted more—whether through church attendance (which has plummeted in recent years), communal organizations like the Elks, Rotary or Kiwanis, or sports leagues. The metaphor of this thesis is that today people increasingly are isolated from each other, increasingly “bowling alone,” rather than with others. As we entered our bunkers, we were facing the ultimate “bowling alone” scenario. And while the pandemic is mostly in the rear-view mirror, the weakening of societal connection, both to those with whom we’re close and more casual relationships, remains.
FOLLOWING THE LEAD OF OUR KIDS
It is more than coincidence, as I think back, that the Musings began on the birthday of my daughter and son, “the twins.” Lauren has always been quite verbal and communicative, particularly when trying to convince her parents of something. I’ve always admired her willingness to share her ideas, both verbally and in writing. She is no shrinking violet. Similarly, Brad was always willing to “put himself out there” on stage—something I never could imagine. How does someone get up and act or sing or dance, being so vulnerable? Jake has always been open and communicative on a deeply personal level. How could they be so “out there” and yet I could be so reserved, holding my emotions in check?
I’ve always considered myself a decent writer and always thought I had something to say. But beyond a well-framed argument or business letter, my writing was hardly personal. Then I realized that, absent exposing some vulnerability and sharing the personal, writing cannot truly inform, inspire, or encourage meaningful exchange. Perhaps on that March 14th, contemplating what would be a horrible pandemic and an equally horrible election and challenge to our democracy, I felt it was time.
CONNECTING WITH OTHERS
Embarking on the Musings meant sharing my innermost thoughts and feelings with others—no small accomplishment for someone who ascribes to the basic tenets of stoicism, including the acceptance of what is and striving from that position to live on without complaint. Except in arguing policy or debating the relative talents of ballplayers, I haven’t “put it all out there.”
I have seen the Musings not only as a means of my sharing my thoughts, but to write about the issues of the day in the manner and perspective as I think many of my friends are thinking. I don’t think many of the issues we face are particularly complicated and I think most thoughtful people reach similar conclusions and see the same general path to improving the world. But this good intention often is confused by self-interest, political complexities, and institutional constraint.
Most importantly, I want to share with others. Just putting my opinions on paper is only part of it. Sparking a debate among friends, considering issues I had never considered, and engaging with others on issues is what I sought. There is nothing quite as satisfying as getting an email from one of you with the subject line reading, “Subject for a future musing” or “you should talk about this” or “I’d love to hear what other people are saying about this.”
And then a week ago I got this:
“Feeling oddly close to you, Glenn. Crazy how these Musings can foster unexpected intimacy and meaningful connection.”
So, perhaps, I can claim, in some small way, “mission accomplished.”
MOVING BEYOND THE BUNKER
Once I hit 400 Musings from the bunker, after many of us were vaccinated, it was time to acknowledge that, while the pandemic was not yet over, we were emerging from our self-imposed bunkers. So these Musings became “Beyond the Bunker.” Given that Andrea and I, two of the most conservative rules followers, mask wearers and COVID avoiders, are now eating in restaurants and hanging around indoors with friends, perhaps the bunker moniker has run its course. I don’t think so. The metaphor of our being inside our own worlds, confined to our own thoughts, pursuits, and anxieties, in our own bunkers, seems appropriately descriptive.
If the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that it is incumbent upon us all to lead fuller lives of honesty, sincerity, and even risk, with one another, constantly aware that sometimes it’s easier to pull back into the proverbial bunker. So, we are “Beyond the Bunker,” and yet prone to self-imposed isolation—whether physical, emotional, or political. John Donne’s “No man is an island” rings true. It remains there in the background (and let’s hope it’s not coming back with another pandemic…).
WHAT IS IT ABOUT? THIS IS IT IN A NUTSHELL
I was at an event the other day and someone mentioned the Musings to another person. They asked “what is it about?” The person immediately responded, “It’s about everything—that’s what makes it fun.” Fair enough. This isn’t simply a blog on a single subject—whether it be political commentary, movie reviews, baseball, history, or life choices. It’s about whatever comes up and whatever people suggest. These are Musings, after all. They germinate, float around, percolate, change, and evolve, as all thoughts and ideas should—and how we should.
Thanks for reading. Thanks for the responses, critiques, corrections, commentary, encouragement, and ideas. Let’s keep going…
With love and appreciation,
Glenn
From the archives:
Glenn, I liked you before the Musings and the world "liked" now seems very inadequate. Your knowledge of everything that I ever knew almost of all, never knew is amazing! I can imagine you up late at night coming up with some idea and then typing away.
Thanks for all your efforts and I am sure that I learned from them. If only I can remember them!!!
Cheers,
Bob Waldorf
Beautiful article, Glenn. I have loved reading your musings. I don’t usually comment on them, but I do feel that I have gotten to know you through your writing. I hope that you put these together in a book for your kids because these writings have said so much about you, and years from now, that’s how your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will REALLY know you…your strong beliefs, the people you liked, your taste in movies, poetry that meant something to you, etc. You have opened up your heart and thoughts to so many people whom you may never have reached out to, including me. I feel richer for the experience. I have thought, learned, discussed or even nodded my head to lots of different issues and perspectives. Thank you!