Susie, I don't think we have large walls between each other. I have at times been depressed about our government, our citizens who elected these angry men and women, and yes, I'm a male. I think we need to reach across the aisle and talk. Friends, golfing partners, church members are all responsible for what's happening in our world. Having served in the Vietnam war, I have seen the hatred to Vietnamese people, and us as soldiers, by all walks of Americans in the 60's to now.
However, both are mostly respected now in America. We have a small number of true government haters, but they are in power at the moment and they have taken control of all the levers of our government. We need to fix the next layer down from these folks by talking to each other. Reaching out to them is my goal to help solve this mess. I love my neighbors and friends, many voted for this government, because they didn't like the last one for many reasons, I shared some of their reasons and knew that these folks would turn back to solving problems not attacking their friends. So, I agree that we need to encourage each other, and others who are now seeing what they elected is not what they got.
Encouragement seems so important, Daryl. I need to remember if I have a bad day that the grass is growing in the park outside my window and the opportunities to rejoice are many.
There's not enough space made for exercising the imagination, Ben. Not just with school kids as you've pointed out, but for adults as well. Why is it always an afterthought, an elective?
Thank you, Shannon. I'm thinking a lot about the oceans now that I live in the middle of the country and can only visit them in my imagination. It was wonderful growing up with the Atlantic and I know it is a big part of who I am.
"Let us discover our interbeing, our common humanity.” Oh Susie, what a beautiful articulation of the way forward. It is what I wish for, it is what I try to live by, it is my hope too. I don't see much of it going on, but perhaps in the bigger universe, we are understanding each other more; and the pendulum will swing back; after this shitstorm of hatred, people will wake up and see we are in this together. PS Loved and enjoyed the lost cheese essay too, oh dreary and funny essayist!
That's me, Susan. The dreary lost cheese. I learned very recently that interbeing has no opposite. In other words, in the universe of birth and death, hot and cold, up and down....interbeing is whole. There is no not-interbeing. This is not an easy thing to grasp but I sense that it's the great lesson. Thanks for writing, friend.
Susie, I loved the gift of the missing cheese last week - it was a brief rest (my shoulders released their tension) but as you know we can only live there for a short while, because the situation is so very dire, here and everywhere, especially Israel and Russia. I especially appreciated the view of the oceans being whole, open, and friendly to all - we need to remember that we are made of some huge percentage of water, and that we are but a drop in both those oceans. May we all be washed clean, inside and out and truly begin to love one another. Loving you, my friend.
Dear Susie, Going to rallies gives me hope. And even more- I am trying to gather together people who have different political beliefs but are willing to talk & listen & learn how much we do have in common. We are not helpless. We must find our voices & courage. Lovingly, Sara
Susie, I don't think we have large walls between each other. I have at times been depressed about our government, our citizens who elected these angry men and women, and yes, I'm a male. I think we need to reach across the aisle and talk. Friends, golfing partners, church members are all responsible for what's happening in our world. Having served in the Vietnam war, I have seen the hatred to Vietnamese people, and us as soldiers, by all walks of Americans in the 60's to now.
However, both are mostly respected now in America. We have a small number of true government haters, but they are in power at the moment and they have taken control of all the levers of our government. We need to fix the next layer down from these folks by talking to each other. Reaching out to them is my goal to help solve this mess. I love my neighbors and friends, many voted for this government, because they didn't like the last one for many reasons, I shared some of their reasons and knew that these folks would turn back to solving problems not attacking their friends. So, I agree that we need to encourage each other, and others who are now seeing what they elected is not what they got.
Encouragement seems so important, Daryl. I need to remember if I have a bad day that the grass is growing in the park outside my window and the opportunities to rejoice are many.
"We need to fix the next layer down from these folks by talking to each other." WE ARE THE ONE LAYER DOWN, and I appreciated your words.
Love: "All we can do is take tiny steps towards engagement every day at every opportunity."
It seems like the only truth I can hold on to but some days it's not much. We need to encourage each other.
Beautiful thoughts. I also believe that imagination is the key to moving forward and solving problems.
There's not enough space made for exercising the imagination, Ben. Not just with school kids as you've pointed out, but for adults as well. Why is it always an afterthought, an elective?
To our oceans Susie and writers like you who show us their beauty and promise.
Thank you, Shannon. I'm thinking a lot about the oceans now that I live in the middle of the country and can only visit them in my imagination. It was wonderful growing up with the Atlantic and I know it is a big part of who I am.
"Let us discover our interbeing, our common humanity.” Oh Susie, what a beautiful articulation of the way forward. It is what I wish for, it is what I try to live by, it is my hope too. I don't see much of it going on, but perhaps in the bigger universe, we are understanding each other more; and the pendulum will swing back; after this shitstorm of hatred, people will wake up and see we are in this together. PS Loved and enjoyed the lost cheese essay too, oh dreary and funny essayist!
That's me, Susan. The dreary lost cheese. I learned very recently that interbeing has no opposite. In other words, in the universe of birth and death, hot and cold, up and down....interbeing is whole. There is no not-interbeing. This is not an easy thing to grasp but I sense that it's the great lesson. Thanks for writing, friend.
Sighhhhh
Sighing alongside you.
Susie, I loved the gift of the missing cheese last week - it was a brief rest (my shoulders released their tension) but as you know we can only live there for a short while, because the situation is so very dire, here and everywhere, especially Israel and Russia. I especially appreciated the view of the oceans being whole, open, and friendly to all - we need to remember that we are made of some huge percentage of water, and that we are but a drop in both those oceans. May we all be washed clean, inside and out and truly begin to love one another. Loving you, my friend.
Thank you for your deep reading of the water imagery, Rachael. It's good to think about that every time we drink a glass of the sacred stuff.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness …” said Mark Twain.
We can also travel in our imagination - by reading other people’s stories, or, more practically, in meeting and getting to “know” these “others.”
Another great essay. Thank you!
Thank you, Rita, for adding "we can also travel in our imagination." The flying and dragging suitcases around kind is becoming increasingly difficult.
Dear Susie, Going to rallies gives me hope. And even more- I am trying to gather together people who have different political beliefs but are willing to talk & listen & learn how much we do have in common. We are not helpless. We must find our voices & courage. Lovingly, Sara
You are a blessing, Sara. I believe deeply in your point of view, but some days I lose sight of it.