My candle burns at both ends. I listen and watch, selectively, critically. I read. Books that help me understand where we've been before we got to where we are now, and where we are going if we stay on this road. I encourage others to listen and watch and read. And keep reading. I remind myself of Wendell Berry's Mad Farmer: "Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts."
And your Guerrilla Readers is a creative way to help others read and stay informed without the overwhelm. I've shared the link here. https://substack.com/@susanwittigalbert We all need to help each other be aware and also in balance. I believe that this is what will grow our strength and resolve.
Thank you, Stephanie, for lighting a candle each day. I am honoring my grief by allowing it and creating a quiet space to feel what I feel, giving it the freedom to move through me rather than locking it inside through resistance. What follows in the quietness of my daily rituals is hope. All around me, both is my local community and the virtual ones, I see remnants of hope being gathered up...bits of petals, tiny seeds, a bit of root. As an herbalist and lover of the wild spaces, I know the healing power inherent in a seed or the tiniest bit of root. I am buoyed by my work, which will continue past my lifetime, but only if I begin it during these dark times. I believe with all my heart, it is the darkness of the womb, rather than the tomb. Each day, my small rituals, the ways I show up to this cup of tea, this salve to be prepared, this seed to be stratified through the frozen times for another season of growth...this is my sacred work. I am so thankful for the many others engaging in their daily, quiet work that seems too simple and subtle to be of significance. And yet the world hinges on this work. Blessed be. 🌿💚
"I am so thankful for the many others engaging in their daily, quiet work that seems too simple and subtle to be of significance. And yet the world hinges on this work. Blessed be. 🌿💚" I share in this approach to loving fully and living well. Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comment.
In your beautiful prose, you capture what is in our hearts and souls. The new administration is sobering at its best, and it has been so very difficult for me to cope with it. But reading your meditative post, which includes comforting candle lighting rituals, a beautiful piece of art in your garden, and a mindful presence of mind, I felt better as I was reading this essay.
At the heart of it all is resilience and endurance, as you say. And the reminder that we've survived horrible times before makes it easier to bear this barrage of criminals and mobsters and billionaires running the U.S.
We in the U.S. are more resilient than we think. And taking good, altruistic actions can help alleviate our despair.
I've personally been on the brink of depression, but I've put myself on a news diet -- I cannot invest more energy listening to Trump and his henchmen without having my emotional cup run over. Right now, I know enough to be informed, but I can't get bogged down in the minutiae of all the corruption and circus-like atmosphere.
Yet, despite this, I can tap into my own resilience. As you know, art helps me feel good, and if it touches someone in a positive way, then that's a wonderful thing. I use art for self-care. The more I paint, the less heartache I feel.
Thank you for this comforting, beautiful post. I so appreciate you, my friend.
Beth, I am inspired by your news diet. Know enough to stay informed -- yes, I can do that, but beyond that I just don't have the bandwidth to dig around in the weeds. My attitude may change as time moves on and right now I think so many of us feel the need to catch our breath. To that end, I'll breathe in thank you throughout the day and like you, I'll pay attention to those things that I make that might make someone else feel good. Art is a worshipful stance, paying homage to the greater creation with which we grapple. And Beth . . . I appreciate you as well. Thank you for being in my world. With love and creativity, ~S
I want to turn away and I want to know--I'm sticking to the local newspaper--Boston Globe, just in e paper mode and some substacks. But even that is too much sometimes. Thank you for this beautiful piece. I am trying to be less reactive to what is happening in DC and focus on the things that will bring joy and positive contributions. Being miserable about actions I can't impact is not a way I want to live.
I'm thinking local news is the way to go too. We get to choose where we place our attention. Placing attention on what brings us peace, contentment or happiness is a better bet for our nervous systems than focusing on the 24/7 cable station. So here's to painting, gardening, quilting, cooking, walks in nature, reading, knitting and the like -- let us be creative warriors who keep art and civility alive and well. Biggest of hugs. I'm so glad you're here.
Thank you for this, Stephanie. I am still developing my strategy for both self-care and resistance. I continue to hone my news sources to those that keep me informed while minimizing my flaming anger and angst. I remind myself that there are legions of activists out there doing the direct work. (Thank you.) I am not among them, and I tend toward solitude. An experience in the checkout line at Trader Joe's this week, however, has inspired me to think about what I can do: engage, rather than further withdraw. For instance, rather than always choosing the self-service lines, I can choose the checker, and make conversation: "How is your day?" "What does your evening look like?" Make eye contact with strangers, smile, speak. I can't change the world, but I can change mine, and maybe someone else's.
Thank you for your comments, Gretchen. I think we're all grappling with the concept of balance -- self care and activism; staying informed and overwhelm; retreat and running into the fire -- But this speaks to my heart: "I can choose the checker, and make conversation: "How is your day?" "What does your evening look like?" Make eye contact with strangers, smile, speak. I can't change the world, but I can change mine, and maybe someone else's." It's both simple and deeply profound. Little changes count. How we keep civility and welcoming alive, counts. You count, and I'm so glad you're here.
Dear Stephanie, one of the things Heather Cox Richardson encourages us to do is to "bring our A-game" to whatever brings us joy — creating, art, music, gardening, learning a language, baking, deepening our connections with others, whatever it may be. These are all life-creating and life-affirming actions, needed to fuel our efforts to push back on authoritarianism, which is antithetical to joy. This speaks to me! x
Bring your A Game to what brings you joy! What a perfect idea to run with. To have this time be a time of life affirming actions through art makes my soul sing. Thank you for this, Carmine!
I admit I’m in denial. I’m sure I will snap out of it, I always do. But for now, I’m sleeping a lot, taking care of nothing but the cat, and turning a blind eye to White House press…
Similarly, I may be in denial too -- but as I said in another comment, we are of no use to any purpose or cause if we are living in burnout. So to that end, your cat care sounds purrfect (sorry I can't help myself) and naps are highly under-rated. Breathing in what is good and true can only nourish our hearts. As for White House press, what's that? Biggest of hugs.
I am a dog lover. My family nixed the idea for a dog for me now, because I am an old bat. A cat seemed perfect. She's a sweetie, but she's not dog. Anyway, I am living in denial, yeah, but I refuse to give Trump credit for anything! Practicing my breathing. I need to move forward. It's the only way!
There's a part of me that wants to "stand back and stand by" and another part of me feels exhausted. However, I am trying to strike a healthy balance by limiting news feeds while taking pride in every act of resistance I hear about. The Bishop's courage, several states filing lawsuits, late night comedy sketches. Four years is not forever in my mind!
Your words are always so reasonable and calming -- and make me feel like the world isn't spiraling out of control. Thank you, thank you. Right now, I'm trying to avoid thinking about the realities, practicing kindness and finding joy, and yeah, lighting a candle too, and now with a different focus.
You and I have long been on the same page with the practice of kindness. I will never forget that beautiful lunch with JuJu in what we didn't know were the last days of her life. Everything about the afternoon was centered on caring for each other. The realities upon us now are heavy, but I think it's good to reflect upon and remember that no one can take away our mind, the convictions of our heart or our creativity. So while those twits are trying to burn the house down, our creative community will continue to build a purposeful world, one of civility and caring. I'm so happy that we are a part of that. You are in my heart.
Such a wonderful essay Stephanie. Thank you! I've read through the comments and will just say "ditto." I, too, am focusing in small. I am a 72 year old women with limited resources....but....that doesn't make me ineffective! I can smile, offer help, cook for a friend who had surgery, give away a quilt, listen to another's heartache, offer to share gardening/household tools with my neighborhood. There are so many small acts of kindness one can do. And of course, I make my art and that steady's my soul and gives me focus. Four years is a blink of the eye in terms of a historic timeline.
Jan, what a lovely comment. It's our everyday actions and intentions of kindness that can be the light which helps us to lead each other out of these darker times. You sound like a really good friend to those around you and beyond. Gentle friendship is our calling and I stand unified with you in that. Big hugs.
I saw a FB post on Wednesday, 1/22: A fellow could hear his T-supporting neighbors during the inauguration whooping and cheering. Then they fell silent. Then he saw his neighbor come outside and take down his T flag and stomp on it, and put up an American flag. The fellow went out and asked his neighbor if he was OK. He and his wife and family had just heard that the administration planned to end Medicaid, on which some of their family members are dependent. The T supporter said to his neighbor, "I know you're going to say I told you so." But he didn't. He just told him he was sorry. And these kinds of scenarios may happen frequently all over the country. Perhaps we will again find common ground, and people can let their legislators know they do not support T's stated agendas, and that they will not vote for them in the midterms. This may make a difference in policies.
Common ground used to be more common. The take away from your story is that there was no "I told you so," just compassion and goodwill. Here's to positive outcomes for the midterms. Cheers.
Courtesy. . . these days it seems like such an old fashioned word yet more crucial to our modern times than ever before. And I agree, kindness and courtesy can be the point of our interactions.
"Governing, after all, was meant to be an act of service —not a slogan." Yes! Thank you for that, Stephanie. I believe that life is an act of service as well. My call this week is to ask us all to live with heart, since there is no heart in the White House now. I believe there is much we can do to heal the pain that is here already and the pain to come by acts of loving service in our communities and our homes, in our groups and our networks. I am letting my light shine in small and large ways, and helping to heal where I can. Blessings to you.
And your light shines brightly! I stand with you. We can do a lot of healing by community acts of loving service in our communities and homes. Thank you for such a soulful comment. Big hugs.
Endurance challenge -- and doesn't it ever feel like one of those endurance events in the Olympics! The Gold Medal is reunification with our communities, our sense of caring and maybe even a greater understanding of how much we need each other in order to live fully and love well.
I love how you phrase it, Kert. "Kindred souls when found, must hold on dearly to each other." I stand united with you, strong and enduring with you. As your poetic soul says: "Together we weather." Thank you for sharing this wisdom.
My candle burns at both ends. I listen and watch, selectively, critically. I read. Books that help me understand where we've been before we got to where we are now, and where we are going if we stay on this road. I encourage others to listen and watch and read. And keep reading. I remind myself of Wendell Berry's Mad Farmer: "Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts."
And your Guerrilla Readers is a creative way to help others read and stay informed without the overwhelm. I've shared the link here. https://substack.com/@susanwittigalbert We all need to help each other be aware and also in balance. I believe that this is what will grow our strength and resolve.
Thank you, Stephanie, for lighting a candle each day. I am honoring my grief by allowing it and creating a quiet space to feel what I feel, giving it the freedom to move through me rather than locking it inside through resistance. What follows in the quietness of my daily rituals is hope. All around me, both is my local community and the virtual ones, I see remnants of hope being gathered up...bits of petals, tiny seeds, a bit of root. As an herbalist and lover of the wild spaces, I know the healing power inherent in a seed or the tiniest bit of root. I am buoyed by my work, which will continue past my lifetime, but only if I begin it during these dark times. I believe with all my heart, it is the darkness of the womb, rather than the tomb. Each day, my small rituals, the ways I show up to this cup of tea, this salve to be prepared, this seed to be stratified through the frozen times for another season of growth...this is my sacred work. I am so thankful for the many others engaging in their daily, quiet work that seems too simple and subtle to be of significance. And yet the world hinges on this work. Blessed be. 🌿💚
Leenie, your words penetrate deeply.
"I am so thankful for the many others engaging in their daily, quiet work that seems too simple and subtle to be of significance. And yet the world hinges on this work. Blessed be. 🌿💚" I share in this approach to loving fully and living well. Thank you for your thoughtful and insightful comment.
Hi Stephanie,
In your beautiful prose, you capture what is in our hearts and souls. The new administration is sobering at its best, and it has been so very difficult for me to cope with it. But reading your meditative post, which includes comforting candle lighting rituals, a beautiful piece of art in your garden, and a mindful presence of mind, I felt better as I was reading this essay.
At the heart of it all is resilience and endurance, as you say. And the reminder that we've survived horrible times before makes it easier to bear this barrage of criminals and mobsters and billionaires running the U.S.
We in the U.S. are more resilient than we think. And taking good, altruistic actions can help alleviate our despair.
I've personally been on the brink of depression, but I've put myself on a news diet -- I cannot invest more energy listening to Trump and his henchmen without having my emotional cup run over. Right now, I know enough to be informed, but I can't get bogged down in the minutiae of all the corruption and circus-like atmosphere.
Yet, despite this, I can tap into my own resilience. As you know, art helps me feel good, and if it touches someone in a positive way, then that's a wonderful thing. I use art for self-care. The more I paint, the less heartache I feel.
Thank you for this comforting, beautiful post. I so appreciate you, my friend.
Beth, I am inspired by your news diet. Know enough to stay informed -- yes, I can do that, but beyond that I just don't have the bandwidth to dig around in the weeds. My attitude may change as time moves on and right now I think so many of us feel the need to catch our breath. To that end, I'll breathe in thank you throughout the day and like you, I'll pay attention to those things that I make that might make someone else feel good. Art is a worshipful stance, paying homage to the greater creation with which we grapple. And Beth . . . I appreciate you as well. Thank you for being in my world. With love and creativity, ~S
I want to turn away and I want to know--I'm sticking to the local newspaper--Boston Globe, just in e paper mode and some substacks. But even that is too much sometimes. Thank you for this beautiful piece. I am trying to be less reactive to what is happening in DC and focus on the things that will bring joy and positive contributions. Being miserable about actions I can't impact is not a way I want to live.
I'm thinking local news is the way to go too. We get to choose where we place our attention. Placing attention on what brings us peace, contentment or happiness is a better bet for our nervous systems than focusing on the 24/7 cable station. So here's to painting, gardening, quilting, cooking, walks in nature, reading, knitting and the like -- let us be creative warriors who keep art and civility alive and well. Biggest of hugs. I'm so glad you're here.
Thank you for this, Stephanie. I am still developing my strategy for both self-care and resistance. I continue to hone my news sources to those that keep me informed while minimizing my flaming anger and angst. I remind myself that there are legions of activists out there doing the direct work. (Thank you.) I am not among them, and I tend toward solitude. An experience in the checkout line at Trader Joe's this week, however, has inspired me to think about what I can do: engage, rather than further withdraw. For instance, rather than always choosing the self-service lines, I can choose the checker, and make conversation: "How is your day?" "What does your evening look like?" Make eye contact with strangers, smile, speak. I can't change the world, but I can change mine, and maybe someone else's.
Thank you for your comments, Gretchen. I think we're all grappling with the concept of balance -- self care and activism; staying informed and overwhelm; retreat and running into the fire -- But this speaks to my heart: "I can choose the checker, and make conversation: "How is your day?" "What does your evening look like?" Make eye contact with strangers, smile, speak. I can't change the world, but I can change mine, and maybe someone else's." It's both simple and deeply profound. Little changes count. How we keep civility and welcoming alive, counts. You count, and I'm so glad you're here.
love, love, love this❤️🙏🕊️
Dear Stephanie, one of the things Heather Cox Richardson encourages us to do is to "bring our A-game" to whatever brings us joy — creating, art, music, gardening, learning a language, baking, deepening our connections with others, whatever it may be. These are all life-creating and life-affirming actions, needed to fuel our efforts to push back on authoritarianism, which is antithetical to joy. This speaks to me! x
Bring your A Game to what brings you joy! What a perfect idea to run with. To have this time be a time of life affirming actions through art makes my soul sing. Thank you for this, Carmine!
I admit I’m in denial. I’m sure I will snap out of it, I always do. But for now, I’m sleeping a lot, taking care of nothing but the cat, and turning a blind eye to White House press…
Similarly, I may be in denial too -- but as I said in another comment, we are of no use to any purpose or cause if we are living in burnout. So to that end, your cat care sounds purrfect (sorry I can't help myself) and naps are highly under-rated. Breathing in what is good and true can only nourish our hearts. As for White House press, what's that? Biggest of hugs.
I am a dog lover. My family nixed the idea for a dog for me now, because I am an old bat. A cat seemed perfect. She's a sweetie, but she's not dog. Anyway, I am living in denial, yeah, but I refuse to give Trump credit for anything! Practicing my breathing. I need to move forward. It's the only way!
There's a part of me that wants to "stand back and stand by" and another part of me feels exhausted. However, I am trying to strike a healthy balance by limiting news feeds while taking pride in every act of resistance I hear about. The Bishop's courage, several states filing lawsuits, late night comedy sketches. Four years is not forever in my mind!
THIS: "Four years is not forever in my mind!" Inspiring words to live by. Thank you Shawn.
This is lovely. Thank you. Since before the election, I reduced my reading of politics to only Reuters. I cannot continue otherwise.
Finding a news source to stay aware, but not consumed is paramount to our well-being. Thank you for your wise and encouraging words, Frances.
Your words are always so reasonable and calming -- and make me feel like the world isn't spiraling out of control. Thank you, thank you. Right now, I'm trying to avoid thinking about the realities, practicing kindness and finding joy, and yeah, lighting a candle too, and now with a different focus.
You and I have long been on the same page with the practice of kindness. I will never forget that beautiful lunch with JuJu in what we didn't know were the last days of her life. Everything about the afternoon was centered on caring for each other. The realities upon us now are heavy, but I think it's good to reflect upon and remember that no one can take away our mind, the convictions of our heart or our creativity. So while those twits are trying to burn the house down, our creative community will continue to build a purposeful world, one of civility and caring. I'm so happy that we are a part of that. You are in my heart.
And you are ALWAYS in mine, even if I'm the world's worst communicator.
Such a wonderful essay Stephanie. Thank you! I've read through the comments and will just say "ditto." I, too, am focusing in small. I am a 72 year old women with limited resources....but....that doesn't make me ineffective! I can smile, offer help, cook for a friend who had surgery, give away a quilt, listen to another's heartache, offer to share gardening/household tools with my neighborhood. There are so many small acts of kindness one can do. And of course, I make my art and that steady's my soul and gives me focus. Four years is a blink of the eye in terms of a historic timeline.
Jan, what a lovely comment. It's our everyday actions and intentions of kindness that can be the light which helps us to lead each other out of these darker times. You sound like a really good friend to those around you and beyond. Gentle friendship is our calling and I stand unified with you in that. Big hugs.
I saw a FB post on Wednesday, 1/22: A fellow could hear his T-supporting neighbors during the inauguration whooping and cheering. Then they fell silent. Then he saw his neighbor come outside and take down his T flag and stomp on it, and put up an American flag. The fellow went out and asked his neighbor if he was OK. He and his wife and family had just heard that the administration planned to end Medicaid, on which some of their family members are dependent. The T supporter said to his neighbor, "I know you're going to say I told you so." But he didn't. He just told him he was sorry. And these kinds of scenarios may happen frequently all over the country. Perhaps we will again find common ground, and people can let their legislators know they do not support T's stated agendas, and that they will not vote for them in the midterms. This may make a difference in policies.
Common ground used to be more common. The take away from your story is that there was no "I told you so," just compassion and goodwill. Here's to positive outcomes for the midterms. Cheers.
Personally, I write monster books and train with plastic swords.
Oh, and kindness. I do kindness.
Also, courtesy is big for me.
Heinlein said that a lack of courtesy will herald the end times for any society.
So I’m always trying to inject more of that into the system.
🙏🏽
Courtesy. . . these days it seems like such an old fashioned word yet more crucial to our modern times than ever before. And I agree, kindness and courtesy can be the point of our interactions.
"Governing, after all, was meant to be an act of service —not a slogan." Yes! Thank you for that, Stephanie. I believe that life is an act of service as well. My call this week is to ask us all to live with heart, since there is no heart in the White House now. I believe there is much we can do to heal the pain that is here already and the pain to come by acts of loving service in our communities and our homes, in our groups and our networks. I am letting my light shine in small and large ways, and helping to heal where I can. Blessings to you.
And your light shines brightly! I stand with you. We can do a lot of healing by community acts of loving service in our communities and homes. Thank you for such a soulful comment. Big hugs.
Thank you for sharing this. It is certainly an endurance challenge.
Endurance challenge -- and doesn't it ever feel like one of those endurance events in the Olympics! The Gold Medal is reunification with our communities, our sense of caring and maybe even a greater understanding of how much we need each other in order to live fully and love well.
Beautiful. Full stop!
Kindred souls when found must hold on dearly to each other. Together, we weather.
I love how you phrase it, Kert. "Kindred souls when found, must hold on dearly to each other." I stand united with you, strong and enduring with you. As your poetic soul says: "Together we weather." Thank you for sharing this wisdom.