Deadend Deadhead

A cul-de-sac is not just a location with houses on it. It can be a place of mind, too. Look at it this way: On an average cul-de-sac, the traffic is almost exclusively generated by people who live there and their deliveries. But you and I have known people whose intellectual and emotional lives are cul-de-sacs. Nothing new goes down there except by accident.
You know how this goes: You are out looking for 192 Turner Court. You get lost and wind up needing to turn around in some little suburban turnabout. Everyone is out doing lawns or cooking out, and they look at you like you are an invader. That’s what I’m talking about—except it’s intellectual and emotional.

And, no, this is not about politics. I’ve known people of many political stripes who fall into the cul-de-sac mentality. The only new thoughts and ideas wander in by accident and leave as quickly as possible. Nope! Nothing new is stirring in there.

What worried that someone might mistakenly take you for one of those dead-end deadheads? Whatever you do, do not jump headfirst into radical and massive changes. We know that you love your neighborhood. Nothing is challenging, and that’s what you most love about it.

You’ve become habituated to slow and easy and need to ease yourself into the flow… gradually. Start easy—a few museum visits. Take in live theatre or music. Gradually branch your reading habits into more adventuresome paths. Too much news all at once could start a violent allergic reaction.

Take two new things a day, and call me in the morning.