BROKEN ARROW is the code word used for an unexpected event involving nuclear weapons in the accidental launching, firing, detonating, theft or loss of weapon. When I heard this term on the radio yesterday, I linked BROKEN ARROW to the accidental emotional launches that happen in my nuclear family life.
nu·cle·ar/adjective
1. relating to the nucleus of an atom
2. BIOLOGY; relating to the nucleus of a cell
As a 51-year-old woman, married since I was 25, and raising twin 17-year-old girls, a BROKEN ARROW can easily be disarming—hopefully not devastating.
There have been thirty-two BROKEN ARROW incidents since 1950. I’ve had many more. However, maybe with more awareness I can launch less frequently. I’m quite certain my nuclear family would appreciate the diplomacy.
of being way too serious way too much of my day. I started out this morning reading the New York Times and all of the crazy political news. David Duke is back, really? Then I landed on this piece about “cognitive closure”and it really struck me. I was so interested in this concept that I read it to my highly disinterested 16-year-old daughter, Lucy. My husband, Jeff kind of listened to me, but he really just wanted to work on the 1970s song “My Maria” and play his guitar while our cat, Karen watched him adoringly. Clearly, I need to lighten up. Goofing off more lessens the anxiety of those around us too. Our cat was trying to show me what to pay attention to this morning. Oh the wisdom of Karen.
I think culturally, we just gotta lighten right now.
This political season is making us nuts.
AND YET…I still couldn’t quite help myself. “Dr. Kruglanski is best known for his theory of “cognitive closure,” a term he coined in 1989 to describe how we make decisions. “Closure” is the moment that you make a decision or form a judgment. You literally close your mind to new information.” By DANIELE ANASTASION (NY Times Opinion Piece 11/3/16)
Changing habits is hard, fun is coming—I promise. Conceptually “cognitive closure” is something to consider, especially when you feel unable to see the options available to you and a choice needs to be made. The middle path always allows us to see a lot more options. But, it’s much harder to do. Our brain wants to shut down our options. It’s way easier than considering new information. I told you I’m guilty of being way too serious. Good Golly, Lisa enough about cognitive closure (no matter how interesting of a psychological concept this is)…it’s time for fun.
So, after I read this piece I searched for FUN and landed on a country music video about HANGING OUT. Here’s my gift to you today. Thank you LITTLE BIG TOWN. You guys clearly know how to lighten up.
Back this hitch up into the water
Untie all the cables and rope
Step onto the AstroTurf
Get yourself a coozie
Let’s go
Enjoy this video, I hope your day is filled with lots of laughs and goofiness.
Watching this video reminded me that we used to hit golf balls off the front of our boat when I was in college. Oh, we really knew how to play then.
