Find the light where you can. Lead with compassion, with empathy.

That’s what I’ve been having to tell people all week; not just because of the US election, but it was also the week of massive and hurtful layoffs where I work. I’m still here, a lot of people aren’t. And for some of them, I had to be the one in the room, on the phone, or on the video conference. Never did that before. Didn’t have much choice. I console myself by saying not matter how much I’m hurting, others are hurting much, much worse. So I try, I try to remember that, and to push back hate and anger because at the moment righteous fury feels like a lie.

The music helps, a little.

• Metallica – “Hardwired”
• Spiritualized – “Let It Bleed (For Iggy)”
• Fugazi – “Reclamation”
• Byzantine – “Servitude”
• Nina Simone – “Sinnerman”
• Boris – “Away From You”
• Amanaz – “History Of Man”
• Frank Zappa – “Is That All There Is?”
• Led Zeppelin – “No Quarter (Live O2 Arena)”
• Rainbow – “Stargazer”

This is some of the music I turned to this week. Some is heavy, some speak directly to the rage, and some sooth it. Going through that sweep of Japanese jazz also helped immensely, but I’m setting that aside this week. No commentary; I’m exhausted and need to find small pockets of sleep where I can.

Be safe, lead with compassion, lead with empathy. See you next week.