Unfortunately, we are beyond such optimistic views of our fellow "neighbor". My family, and I'm sure yours too, fought in WWII against the regime that caused death and destruction to so many. Our country is on the brink of the same and no one seems to be stopping this run away train. I wish I could hold the hope in my heart as you do, but that is no longer possible with a criminal at our helm and non elected officials that are robbing our country and stealing our data without consequences. It has only been several months of this tyrant and look how far it has gone already. We need to stand up and fight, not sing together. That would be a beautiful thought and one I would cherish if times were different. I can no longer stand by people that voted for this mess that we are in as people less fortunate are suffering greatly. I am old and only wish I was passing on a country that I was proud of as I was in the past to my grandchildren that will know nothing but heartache. How did this happen when we all knew what he was capable of? Sorry to be the only one opposed to your lovely sentiments--I only wish they would work now in these historic times.
Linda, thank you for your important and honest thoughts. I feel as you do about 95% of the time. A righteous anger, absolute disbelief at how we arrived here, and not much optimism at all. I have spent so much time thinking about this. Many people that I have loved and admired my entire life support what is happening right now, and that has been difficult to understand, too. And yet. I love them. What I cannot get past is the fact that there will be a time when we need to reweave all the threads of a healthy society that have been cut and destroyed. We will need to build bridges. My better angels, for lack of a better word, whisper to me that we have to be ready to see our common ground, for there is some, and most importantly to speak out about our values, not just against someone else's. I wrote this piece from those whispers. The piece about singing together was written many years ago, but the underlying truth about finding common ground and shared moments that transcend division is alway a viable path forward when the destruction dust settles. All this to say, I understand, deeply, what you are saying. We all must fight how we are best able. For me, that is to be like water, yielding, yet unstoppable, slipping through cracks, carving through stone, reshaping the world with quiet persistence. Resistance, for me, is not always forceful; sometimes it is the patience to endure, adapt and return again and again. And again.
I love this post so much. I love the thought of standing for something vs resisting something. I think it creates such a powerful shift of hope, as well as forward action.
"These experiences exist beyond argument or differing opinions. They remind us that, beneath all of the chaos and all of the noise, we are human first—and to be human is to be capable of awe, of tenderness, of recognising something greater than ourselves within the numinous moments of human life here on this exquisite planet, together."- Amen! We are messy humans indeed but we have more in common than not! Beautiful sharing!
Thank you for your words and for your voice and what you stand for, thank you for bringing art and kindness into the world, we need more people be for important things, we need more connection, more love, more soft voices that carry so much strength as your voice ❤️
I thank you for your voice. I am very much for kind voices, for more gift economy and really for so many things that I must sort them out. And then speak out for them, whenever I feel moved to do so. I am currently watching sunrises over the ocean and will pack them in my heart to bring home and share. 🕊️
Thank you for this hopeful beautiful essay!! As others have mentioned you put into words what I am feeling. A reminder to feel the joy and wonder in the natural world around us & to bring hope, understanding and much needed kindness to all.
Unfortunately, we are beyond such optimistic views of our fellow "neighbor". My family, and I'm sure yours too, fought in WWII against the regime that caused death and destruction to so many. Our country is on the brink of the same and no one seems to be stopping this run away train. I wish I could hold the hope in my heart as you do, but that is no longer possible with a criminal at our helm and non elected officials that are robbing our country and stealing our data without consequences. It has only been several months of this tyrant and look how far it has gone already. We need to stand up and fight, not sing together. That would be a beautiful thought and one I would cherish if times were different. I can no longer stand by people that voted for this mess that we are in as people less fortunate are suffering greatly. I am old and only wish I was passing on a country that I was proud of as I was in the past to my grandchildren that will know nothing but heartache. How did this happen when we all knew what he was capable of? Sorry to be the only one opposed to your lovely sentiments--I only wish they would work now in these historic times.
Linda, thank you for your important and honest thoughts. I feel as you do about 95% of the time. A righteous anger, absolute disbelief at how we arrived here, and not much optimism at all. I have spent so much time thinking about this. Many people that I have loved and admired my entire life support what is happening right now, and that has been difficult to understand, too. And yet. I love them. What I cannot get past is the fact that there will be a time when we need to reweave all the threads of a healthy society that have been cut and destroyed. We will need to build bridges. My better angels, for lack of a better word, whisper to me that we have to be ready to see our common ground, for there is some, and most importantly to speak out about our values, not just against someone else's. I wrote this piece from those whispers. The piece about singing together was written many years ago, but the underlying truth about finding common ground and shared moments that transcend division is alway a viable path forward when the destruction dust settles. All this to say, I understand, deeply, what you are saying. We all must fight how we are best able. For me, that is to be like water, yielding, yet unstoppable, slipping through cracks, carving through stone, reshaping the world with quiet persistence. Resistance, for me, is not always forceful; sometimes it is the patience to endure, adapt and return again and again. And again.
I love this post so much. I love the thought of standing for something vs resisting something. I think it creates such a powerful shift of hope, as well as forward action.
Thank you, Jaime. I think it matters a great deal, to be for something, to be very sure of it, even when we are rising against something.
Your book is one of my favorites watercolor books! So great to find you here with thoughtful writing. Thank you, Kateri!
So happy you are here, Beata! Thank you :)
Amen sister - this is really powerful and I feel your pain. "Let us be artists of presence" - that's going to stick with me, thank you
I am so grateful to know. Thank you, Jules! Amen indeed xo
I love this so much Kateri. You've put into words my heart. Thank you!
Thank you so much Margi xo
"These experiences exist beyond argument or differing opinions. They remind us that, beneath all of the chaos and all of the noise, we are human first—and to be human is to be capable of awe, of tenderness, of recognising something greater than ourselves within the numinous moments of human life here on this exquisite planet, together."- Amen! We are messy humans indeed but we have more in common than not! Beautiful sharing!
Messy, but with beautiful intentions, most of us :) Thank you so much for being here and for your thoughtful comment. xo
Thank you for your words and for your voice and what you stand for, thank you for bringing art and kindness into the world, we need more people be for important things, we need more connection, more love, more soft voices that carry so much strength as your voice ❤️
I appreciate that so much, Simone. I believe this, too xo
Your words hit the spot-the heart spot. Thank you for this uplifting essay.
Thank you for being here, Marg. xo
I thank you for your voice. I am very much for kind voices, for more gift economy and really for so many things that I must sort them out. And then speak out for them, whenever I feel moved to do so. I am currently watching sunrises over the ocean and will pack them in my heart to bring home and share. 🕊️
I've been thinking of you. We will need to have a coffee/tea/scones/writing date when you get home. Soak in that ocean for me. Big hug.
I love the principle of finding "moments of quiet agreement." Peace is possible
I have to believe that. Thank you so much, Katie. ✨
We know it lives in those precious quiet moments x
Beautifully put.
Thank you, Anne. And thank you for being here. ✨
Thank you for your wise thoughts appropriate for our divided world! Being in this place and time scares me, but your approach brings hope.
It scares me, too, Jutta. Let gentleness prevail. 🩶 Thank you for reading.
Thank you for this hopeful beautiful essay!! As others have mentioned you put into words what I am feeling. A reminder to feel the joy and wonder in the natural world around us & to bring hope, understanding and much needed kindness to all.
This really resonated, thank you.