What Are Your Wildest Dreams?

I woke up Friday and went about my usual morning routine. My house is quiet in the early hours, which means I can hear every creak and crack as I make my coffee.

'It's going to be a good day,” I whispered to myself. 'My essay is done. My schedule isn't packed. I'm looking forward to my morning meditation and the day ahead.”

Then about 30 minutes later, just after this feeling of ease had set in, I picked up my phone. My eyes scanned my morning email newsletter from The New York Times and fell on the headline of David Brooks' latest column: 'America Is Falling Apart at the Seams.”