Giving Ourselves Permission To Grieve Our Own Way

I find it helpful to remember that grief is a process, and everybody grieves in different ways. There isn't a "right way" to do it that will apply to everyone. There isn't a set time limit by which you should "get over it." Even the well-known stages of grief we hear about won't be relevant to every person.

Whether you are grieving the loss of a family member, a valued relationship, or your country, you can do it your way. Give yourself permission to take the time you need. Seek support from others, or don't. It is okay not to be okay. And in the case of grief, not being okay shouldn't surprise anybody!

What Has Made Your Life as an Atheist Easier?

What do you think of when you hear the word wisdom? My mind goes right to learning from someone who has been there, someone with experience I lack. I recall how my elders tried to share their wisdom with me. I cringe when I remember that I wasn't always receptive. My arrogance led me to miss out on so many opportunities to learn! They are gone now, and I blew my chance to gain their wisdom.

I'll share a question below from someone smart enough to seek this kind of wisdom. Questions like this are common from teenage atheists living with conservative Christian parents. If you spend any time on the atheist-oriented sections of Reddit, you will have seen them. They are much less common from young adults already living on their own, and that's why this one got my attention. The person asking the question identified themself as being in their early 20s. Here's my paraphrase of their question:

I'm an atheist living in an area dominated by conservative Christianity. I'd like to escape, but it will be some time before I'm able to do so. I'm hoping to learn from the older atheists among you who live or have lived in such places. How have you managed? What has helped you to endure it?

Welcoming October is a Favorite Tradition

October has been my favorite month of the year as long as I can remember. When I was a child, growing up on the West Coast of the United States, October signified the beginning of Fall. It was when the leaves changed and when I'd first notice a nip in the air. Summer gave way to Fall, and Winter was around the corner. And October was the month of Halloween, my favorite holiday.

October doesn't hold quite the same magic today. There is no Fall season here in Mississippi. Summer turns to "Winter" rather abruptly. There are only a handful of trees where the leaves change colors. The oppressive humidity does subside but not until late in the month. Halloween is frowned upon by the legions of Southern Baptists who occupy this state (some of which seem to prefer JesusWeen). I watch more horror movies during October than usual, but that is about it.

Some Questions About Aliens Are More Relevant Than Others

Does alien life exist somewhere in the universe? Could be. I have no idea. And to be honest, I don't find this question to be all that interesting. Why? "Alien life" could refer to little more than single-cell organisms on a remote planet. Does sentient life exist somewhere in the universe? That is a more interesting question, but it still only takes us so far. The answer to this question might have little relevance to us.

What we'd like to know is whether sentient alien life has visited our planet from theirs. Has this happened during our lifetimes? If so, does our government know about it and are hiding it from us? Are aliens still visiting? Are any of the abduction stories accurate? If aliens have not visited, are they likely to do so in our lifetimes? These questions seem far more relevant.