P.S. As Rebecca Solnit says, “Let me invite you on a walk because, despite human folly, spring is here and the colors blue and green remain a revelation and a joy and even the old and broken oaks are sending forth tender new leaves.”
I love that. I'm a huge fan of Rebecca Solnit. Where is the quote from? I'm so glad to be in Minnesota for this precious moment when spring is springing.
“So much motion is unfolding under the surface.” This is my everyday experience without realizing it until I read this. Nearing the one-year anniversary of my husband’s death is rough. I take comfort in the ducks and the warrior and artist selves within me. Thank you 🙏 ❤️
Grateful to you for grounding this in personal experience and thereby reminding me that not everything is about our current political situation. Wishing you a safe passage.
Hearing from you means a great deal to me. The Bill Maher thing was so painful. He wiped all the wise-ass mannerisms off his face and talked in this singsongy, childish voice about how we may have misjudged DJT and how we should give him the benefit of the doubt. Why do people behave like that?
I think there are more peaceful understandings for the term “warrior” and I believe that aspect is essential for us to keep up our strength, to build our resilience, to advocate tirelessly for what is true and right. Here are some synonyms: ally, backer, challenger, defender, guardian, and protector. The beautiful ducks in Wolfe Lake are swimming proudly, modeling for us the way to swim serenely, without malice, with great strength. Susie, a great image!.
It's wonderful to be read by someone who has her own relationship with these ducks. My friend, Signe Schaefer, also wrote to say she is troubled by the word warrior. Trying to find an alternative word feels like an important undertaking. The words you suggested all seem to me to be relational. You are an ally or a defender of someone else's. I'm looking for a word that speaks to an interior quality of strength. Will get back to you.
Thank you for your art which helps me believe a little more what I am hearing from others, namely that a new psychic, spiritual energy is being quietly born in response to the toxic masculine and the toxic feminine of today's world....
I hear that, too. But I'm not so drawn to grandiose visions. I'm more comfortable with small bites.....noting and digesting the tangible good that people are doing and will continue to do. Love to you, Jinks
I saw the Berlin wall in 1987. And then, amazingly, in June 1991 after it had been torn down. Both times I was emotional.
Nothing stays the same. And yet, like a river, it does. Both changing and constant. Holding space in this koan is not easy. A bit like the gliding duck, whose feet are paddling under water.
I agree completely, Jan. Just came back from walking around the pond in sunshine with a wonderful breeze. The ducks were out. But - out there - there is malfeasance of the greatest kind...cruelty, corruption. We're asking a lot of ourselves to hold all that at the same time but we've got to keep holding.
Susie, I would love to talk about this over a cup of tea! I am so finished with 'warrior' imagery - I feel it's a lingering remnant/shadow of the patriarchy, appropriate in its time but no longer now. We need a new story of interconnection - not built on fighting, negotiating, coercing. The meditator yes, the artist yes, and what can we call the one who strides forward in service, with integrity, courage and love? Thanks again for a stimulating essay!
This is a terrific conversation. See also Rachael Freed's comment. It's noteworthy that all of us language nerds can't come up with an appropriate word for the qualities that you so aptly describe. Service, integrity, courage and love....are these not the attributes of a caregiver? Email me and let me know when you might want to FaceTime. We can even drink tea.
Caregiver yes, and the words Rachael suggests, but like you in your comment to her, I want more than response. I want that inner quality of strength. Advocate almost works, but not quite. Maybe we're looking for Human - with a capital H - real Human Beings!
Witness is what I feel called to do now - in our current crazy world. Observe and have the courage to name what I see, without hiding or backing down - or hating. But still it's in response - however actively.
P.S. As Rebecca Solnit says, “Let me invite you on a walk because, despite human folly, spring is here and the colors blue and green remain a revelation and a joy and even the old and broken oaks are sending forth tender new leaves.”
I love that. I'm a huge fan of Rebecca Solnit. Where is the quote from? I'm so glad to be in Minnesota for this precious moment when spring is springing.
“So much motion is unfolding under the surface.” This is my everyday experience without realizing it until I read this. Nearing the one-year anniversary of my husband’s death is rough. I take comfort in the ducks and the warrior and artist selves within me. Thank you 🙏 ❤️
Grateful to you for grounding this in personal experience and thereby reminding me that not everything is about our current political situation. Wishing you a safe passage.
thank you for the inspiration and encouragement today.
Thank you for being open to my words.
Thanks, Susie. I really enjoy your perspective.
So glad to hear from you...and to see you, however briefly.
Very powerful, Susie! I didn't know about Bill Maher eating dinner at the White House. Good grief. Your writing gives me solace and hope. Thank you.
Hearing from you means a great deal to me. The Bill Maher thing was so painful. He wiped all the wise-ass mannerisms off his face and talked in this singsongy, childish voice about how we may have misjudged DJT and how we should give him the benefit of the doubt. Why do people behave like that?
I think there are more peaceful understandings for the term “warrior” and I believe that aspect is essential for us to keep up our strength, to build our resilience, to advocate tirelessly for what is true and right. Here are some synonyms: ally, backer, challenger, defender, guardian, and protector. The beautiful ducks in Wolfe Lake are swimming proudly, modeling for us the way to swim serenely, without malice, with great strength. Susie, a great image!.
It's wonderful to be read by someone who has her own relationship with these ducks. My friend, Signe Schaefer, also wrote to say she is troubled by the word warrior. Trying to find an alternative word feels like an important undertaking. The words you suggested all seem to me to be relational. You are an ally or a defender of someone else's. I'm looking for a word that speaks to an interior quality of strength. Will get back to you.
Thank you for your art which helps me believe a little more what I am hearing from others, namely that a new psychic, spiritual energy is being quietly born in response to the toxic masculine and the toxic feminine of today's world....
I hear that, too. But I'm not so drawn to grandiose visions. I'm more comfortable with small bites.....noting and digesting the tangible good that people are doing and will continue to do. Love to you, Jinks
I saw the Berlin wall in 1987. And then, amazingly, in June 1991 after it had been torn down. Both times I was emotional.
Nothing stays the same. And yet, like a river, it does. Both changing and constant. Holding space in this koan is not easy. A bit like the gliding duck, whose feet are paddling under water.
I agree completely, Jan. Just came back from walking around the pond in sunshine with a wonderful breeze. The ducks were out. But - out there - there is malfeasance of the greatest kind...cruelty, corruption. We're asking a lot of ourselves to hold all that at the same time but we've got to keep holding.
Susie, I would love to talk about this over a cup of tea! I am so finished with 'warrior' imagery - I feel it's a lingering remnant/shadow of the patriarchy, appropriate in its time but no longer now. We need a new story of interconnection - not built on fighting, negotiating, coercing. The meditator yes, the artist yes, and what can we call the one who strides forward in service, with integrity, courage and love? Thanks again for a stimulating essay!
This is a terrific conversation. See also Rachael Freed's comment. It's noteworthy that all of us language nerds can't come up with an appropriate word for the qualities that you so aptly describe. Service, integrity, courage and love....are these not the attributes of a caregiver? Email me and let me know when you might want to FaceTime. We can even drink tea.
Caregiver yes, and the words Rachael suggests, but like you in your comment to her, I want more than response. I want that inner quality of strength. Advocate almost works, but not quite. Maybe we're looking for Human - with a capital H - real Human Beings!
I'm snuggling up to Witness. What do you think?
Witness is what I feel called to do now - in our current crazy world. Observe and have the courage to name what I see, without hiding or backing down - or hating. But still it's in response - however actively.