I wish being human didn't also seem to include a host of less desirable traits, Luisa. Maybe being a *kind* human is the real charge. Thank you so much for the solidarity.
Such an excellent post Elizabeth and so timely - for all of us, I think. I really needed to hear (again) what I already know, which is that small things matter so much and that it's okay to feel wobbly right now. I was in the grocery store yesterday and I could feel the grief and sadness coming off people like steam. You write so well on a tricky topic - thank you.
Thank you, Sue, and I agree: So much collective pain has been heaped on top of all of our individual trials. I don't think we can overstate the potential negative impact of that, nor of our efforts to counteract it by giving each other grace.
Good morning Betsy.... I chose listening to you read today... You can imagine what a major difference it made for me, hearing your voice.... hearing your words... and remembering both year after year in person... Your words of caring for one another are penetrating.... Even more than that necessary.. Loved every word.. Praying that your day will be filled with carrying blessings.... And I'm sending mine from afar..
And I'm receiving them with open arms, Barry! I'm so glad the "voice me" brought another layer of connection for us today. It feels good to share that. Thanks for your steady presence.
"Someone goes on singing." You and I and all of us who write. I've been listening a lot to Leonard Cohen's "You Got Me Singing." Here it is, singers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwcJQIyNZQM
Oh, Rona - isn't that a remarkable song?! My mother used to tell me that I sang before I talked. It gets into the places other forms of communication can't. I'm glad you shared it here.
I appreciate you reading and commenting MM. While I'm conscious of not wanting to downplay the very real concerns we are all justified in having, the overwhelm is also real. It definitely helps me to focus on ways I can contribute, even if they're not significant on a national scale. It takes a village and all that, right?!
Whenever I catch myself whinging about things, I try to pull back to focus on the joys in my life, and there are many, so thankful to have the life I have. Thanks for reminding me to continue the conversations even when I’d rather withdraw, because giving someone else a voice makes them feel heard and helps them work through things too. (As long as I remind myself afterwards that my voice matters too.) Thanks so much. Sending hugs from afar.
For sure, Beth! I suppose, unless it's flowing in both directions, it's not really a conversation. Experience has taught me that it helps to assume the other person's intentions are good. But it has also taught me that some (a lot of?) folks aren't there yet. We have to know when to stick around and when to step out. Thanks so much for the hugs!
True. Thankfully there’ve been very few conversations like that for me. But I do remember someone putting down the concept of climate change by asking a question. I knew the answer way too well because I’d done a climate change course, so was explaining how the northern hemisphere has so many trees which affect summer vs winter carbon dioxide rates, etc etc. They showed me very quickly that they weren’t interested in a conversation so I backed off and left them to it. As my sister reminds me, those little bits of conversation can still have an effect further down the track. We’re such complicated creatures us humans.
Monica, this is true. And, often without either of them knowing the difference that's been made! Thank you for joining in on the conversation. Much appreciated.
Thanks for giving voice to all of us out there staring at blinking cursors.
Thanks for observing kindnesses. Our eyes see it when we look for it, and miss it when we don't. Photographer Dewitt Jones says "I'll see it when I believe it," talking about looking for the most beautiful way to capture something through a lens. First you have to believe that it's there, somewhere. Then it's there. Or not. But you won't see it if you don't have hope.
"I'll see it when I believe it." This is an excellent and succinct way to capture a tenant that serves me well, Stewart. Thank you for being among the kindness-amplifiers out there!
“I to put my faith in systems that have consistently elevated power and greed at the expense of everything else. But I trust the feeling that emerges when I stop fretting for enough minutes in a row to attend to my heart. Somehow, it says, we will find our way. Our children and their children will find their way.”
I live what your heart says, Elizabeth. I am wanting, trying, needing to hold onto this same beat. I’m grateful to be connected to others who hear it.
May we care for and carry all who are on or paths and need it. And may be we keep singing. Together.
Holly, I am keenly aware of two things: First that hope without action is no better than "thoughts and prayers." So, I am compelled to look for anything I can actually DO, even when my heart is breaking. Second, it's easier to look for light when you're not completely surrounded by darkness. There's privilege there worth acknowledging. The call is strong. I'm glad I can look forward to seeing you and others on the same road, belting out our songs. Thank you for being part of my journey.
I've just spent two days 'in the muck and mire', Elizabeth, and I don't even live in the States, but I do have a global outlook and I felt myself sinking.
And just like that, a light appears from the gloom and your words guide me back to where all the world can be sane and kind and hopeful. I decide I must walk with a similar candle so that my children and my grandson can feel a sense of hope and belief in a safe future. Thank you for such a wise post...
I wish being human didn't also seem to include a host of less desirable traits, Luisa. Maybe being a *kind* human is the real charge. Thank you so much for the solidarity.
Such an excellent post Elizabeth and so timely - for all of us, I think. I really needed to hear (again) what I already know, which is that small things matter so much and that it's okay to feel wobbly right now. I was in the grocery store yesterday and I could feel the grief and sadness coming off people like steam. You write so well on a tricky topic - thank you.
P.S. I will be re-reading this a few times!
Thank you, Sue, and I agree: So much collective pain has been heaped on top of all of our individual trials. I don't think we can overstate the potential negative impact of that, nor of our efforts to counteract it by giving each other grace.
Good morning Betsy.... I chose listening to you read today... You can imagine what a major difference it made for me, hearing your voice.... hearing your words... and remembering both year after year in person... Your words of caring for one another are penetrating.... Even more than that necessary.. Loved every word.. Praying that your day will be filled with carrying blessings.... And I'm sending mine from afar..
And I'm receiving them with open arms, Barry! I'm so glad the "voice me" brought another layer of connection for us today. It feels good to share that. Thanks for your steady presence.
"Someone goes on singing." You and I and all of us who write. I've been listening a lot to Leonard Cohen's "You Got Me Singing." Here it is, singers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwcJQIyNZQM
Oh, Rona - isn't that a remarkable song?! My mother used to tell me that I sang before I talked. It gets into the places other forms of communication can't. I'm glad you shared it here.
I love this song. Thank you for the reminder, Rona.
Needed This!
So important to put our energies and thoughts to the kindnesses we receive and offer.
Thank you Elizabeth! I too shall save this for a re-read.
And thank you, Sandy. At least we always have the option to choose where we direct our attentions, right? So good to see you here.
I felt this very deeply, thank you. xx
Thank you, Ruth. Truly - I'm grateful to be able to share that with you.
Thank you for reminding us of what humanity can be when we move past the noise.
I appreciate you reading and commenting MM. While I'm conscious of not wanting to downplay the very real concerns we are all justified in having, the overwhelm is also real. It definitely helps me to focus on ways I can contribute, even if they're not significant on a national scale. It takes a village and all that, right?!
Yes. This. Exactly. Thank you for the reminder. Time to refocus. ❤️
Thank you, Janet. I find myself having to refocus many times a week, but I keep at it. So good to see you here.
Whenever I catch myself whinging about things, I try to pull back to focus on the joys in my life, and there are many, so thankful to have the life I have. Thanks for reminding me to continue the conversations even when I’d rather withdraw, because giving someone else a voice makes them feel heard and helps them work through things too. (As long as I remind myself afterwards that my voice matters too.) Thanks so much. Sending hugs from afar.
For sure, Beth! I suppose, unless it's flowing in both directions, it's not really a conversation. Experience has taught me that it helps to assume the other person's intentions are good. But it has also taught me that some (a lot of?) folks aren't there yet. We have to know when to stick around and when to step out. Thanks so much for the hugs!
True. Thankfully there’ve been very few conversations like that for me. But I do remember someone putting down the concept of climate change by asking a question. I knew the answer way too well because I’d done a climate change course, so was explaining how the northern hemisphere has so many trees which affect summer vs winter carbon dioxide rates, etc etc. They showed me very quickly that they weren’t interested in a conversation so I backed off and left them to it. As my sister reminds me, those little bits of conversation can still have an effect further down the track. We’re such complicated creatures us humans.
Those last two sentences -- pure gold! :)
Kindness uplifts both the giver and receiver. Loved this today. Thank you so much.
Monica, this is true. And, often without either of them knowing the difference that's been made! Thank you for joining in on the conversation. Much appreciated.
Thanks for giving voice to all of us out there staring at blinking cursors.
Thanks for observing kindnesses. Our eyes see it when we look for it, and miss it when we don't. Photographer Dewitt Jones says "I'll see it when I believe it," talking about looking for the most beautiful way to capture something through a lens. First you have to believe that it's there, somewhere. Then it's there. Or not. But you won't see it if you don't have hope.
"I'll see it when I believe it." This is an excellent and succinct way to capture a tenant that serves me well, Stewart. Thank you for being among the kindness-amplifiers out there!
There is peace in the granular vision. Thank you for the reminder ♥️
I think granular might be all I can handle for the time being. The big picture is...[fill in the blank with your pick of catastrophic adjectives]! 😫
“I to put my faith in systems that have consistently elevated power and greed at the expense of everything else. But I trust the feeling that emerges when I stop fretting for enough minutes in a row to attend to my heart. Somehow, it says, we will find our way. Our children and their children will find their way.”
I live what your heart says, Elizabeth. I am wanting, trying, needing to hold onto this same beat. I’m grateful to be connected to others who hear it.
May we care for and carry all who are on or paths and need it. And may be we keep singing. Together.
Holly, I am keenly aware of two things: First that hope without action is no better than "thoughts and prayers." So, I am compelled to look for anything I can actually DO, even when my heart is breaking. Second, it's easier to look for light when you're not completely surrounded by darkness. There's privilege there worth acknowledging. The call is strong. I'm glad I can look forward to seeing you and others on the same road, belting out our songs. Thank you for being part of my journey.
This is beautiful Elizabeth.
Thank you, Mary. I don't know how you landed here, but I'm glad you did. :)
I've just spent two days 'in the muck and mire', Elizabeth, and I don't even live in the States, but I do have a global outlook and I felt myself sinking.
And just like that, a light appears from the gloom and your words guide me back to where all the world can be sane and kind and hopeful. I decide I must walk with a similar candle so that my children and my grandson can feel a sense of hope and belief in a safe future. Thank you for such a wise post...
And your words of wisdom are there to do the same for me when I'm low. This is what it looks like, right, this carrying and caring? Thank you, Prue.
This resonates. Resoundingly yes