That is, indeed, the hat trick. Everyone I know is pondering that question and the answer will be different for each person. Intentionality is the key, even when we intentionally take space from the uproar.
I feel as if I'm watching a time bomb explode and have no control over it. It breaks my heart. As Don Akchin mentioned, I am trying to watch with detachment - not following the news on TV but YouTube videos of forest scenes and peaceful music instead and doing what I can around me.
It's a whole new perspective for us older people. We can see what's coming. An even greater incentive to be in good health so as to transcend the current upheaval.
yes, the whole thing is shocking and terrifying. Aging is difficult enough without having a world that feels like it's disintegrating in front of you and knowing your children will have to live out their lives mired in whatever this produces.
I feel deeply for my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It's hard to imagine the privations they will suffer at the hands of climate change.
Susie, I'm usually an optimistic person, but the last week and a half has been difficult. The United States is falling like a rock. Trump has taken over this country, and its systems of laws and its purpose. We now have no justice system, no finance system and no outgoing support to the world.
I have never in my 80 years scene such a quick overthrow of a nation. I just read the 53 days it took Hillter to overthrow a democracy in the Atlantic magazine. Trump is following it almost line by line.
I hope and pray for all the world to wake up and help. Daryl
Daryl....I am also fearful and I think it's entirely appropriate. I would like to see some guidance specifically directed at people in our age category. Please pass that along if you see anything. Meanwhile...the best advice I've seen so far is Timothy Snyder's directive to "not obey in advance."
There is a CD that Max and I find very helpful these days: Chakra Chants by Jonathan Goldman. It involves chanting, Tibertan bowls, a drum and other instruments. There's a chant for each chakra. We listen to two a day, usually. I recommend getting hold of this CD.
So much feeling in response to your thought-provoking writing, Susie, all of us trying to find some way to navigate these days, which are unlike anything we have lived through. I manage by crying, writing, praying, and looking for extra ways to be kind, and to remember that everyone is a spark of the Divine. Sometimes this is hard to believe.
On the side of hope, goodness and wonder, Alan and I learned yesterday that our 17th great grandchild is a boy.
That's absolutely fantastic and glorious news. I'm so happy for you. I'm finding the writing is far and away the best medicine. I was all excited about my fiction project before I went to Mexico...but now it's hard to clear the space for that. So much is crowding my mind, plus we're busy with the children. That's a good thing. Maybe the fiction is supposed to be written in Minnesota. Love to you...
Imagine if no restaurant would serve them—there probably isn’t a kitchen in America that doesn’t employ immigrants. I, too, want to believe that many in his base are having some WTF moments. They will, sooner or later.
The first thing that comes to mind is the fabled Chinese curse: May you live in interesting times.
I’ve encountered many bullies in my lifetime, and so, probably, have you. We’re here because we’ve weathered them and even outlasted them. The First Felon is displaying classic bully behavior: grabbing indiscriminately for anything and everything, only pulling back when he faces pushback. The good news is the pushback is coming. Not against ALL his crazy moves (Does anyone feel safe with Hegseth heading Defense?!?)but against some (he burned his little hand with his attempt to curtail all Federal funding and had to back off on “encouraging” all Federal workers to take a buyout.
“Power isn’t given, it’s taken.” And bullies take and take. But there still is life in old Lady Liberty yet, creaky though her systems seem, and the more than 50% of the electorate that either voted against him or chose to sit the election out aren’t going to like how their taxes go up because of a deportation push that will cost billions. Or how food prices, a factor that helped him get elected, skyrocket because the workers who picked and processed and delivered their food have disappeared with no one to replace them. Come to think of it, his base isn’t going to like it, either.
Keep doing what you’re doing. We all have a part to play. Don’t underestimate yours. All tyrants wage wars of information. Keep fighting the good fight.
Thanks for the encouragement, BL. My sense is that there is a percentage of the T vote (no idea how large) that is already suffering buyer's remorse. The disruption of the food industry at the farm level, the processing level, and all the way up to restaurants, as a function of deportation and fear of deportation will be a major factor.
In response to this/your anguish: "To think that I may not live long enough to see the liberation of the Earth and its people is a source of great anguish. To think that I may take my last breath inside a dense black cloud on its way to autocracy is a cause for despair that I will need to work with by contemplating the long arc of history with faith." Susie, this is what I felt despite the actual realities of my daily life and even with decades practicing Buddhism and strong self-care, for six months I couldn't shake it. I started working with a Five Element acupuncturist in Nov (post election) and everything shifted--I have the horror but also the ability to mindfully wait and act. I feel more like a robust "Weeble" (wobble but don't fall down the basement stairs) rather than the dying cat. Just in case this might be an avenue for you--it's an experience with few words, which can be very powerful for those of us who live with many words.
Thank you, Zoe! Do you have a link to this work? You've really got my number as far as being embedded in language. Would love to see more about Five Element.
Hoping and waiting is all I can do right now and that passivity is so counterintuitive for me. I am still grieving from the election and each day bring new reasons to grieve. I know, with the logic built from prior experiences of grief, that this will pass, but I don't see light at the end of this tunnel. However, I do know also that there will be only 4 Springs, 4 Sumemrs, 3 Autumns, and 3 Winters and I will find a way to see the last of him during that time.
We are really being tested, Linda. Everyone, and I mean everyone, I know is trying to carve out a place of sanity, rest, and if possible a way to do good work.
I am trying to find the balance between observing with detachment and acting intentionally to build relationships and communities where I can.
That is, indeed, the hat trick. Everyone I know is pondering that question and the answer will be different for each person. Intentionality is the key, even when we intentionally take space from the uproar.
It is hard to accept that this is happening as I fully assume the mantle of elderhood. But maybe that's why I'm here, now, at this age. Esperamos.
That there is a very provocative idea. What is it about our generation that makes us uniquely suited to withstand this moment?
I believe we're in the process of finding out. :-)
Esperar. A good word. A comforting word. May it be so. Thank you. 🙏
Esperamos, as Jan Flynn wrote above. We will wait and we will hope.
I feel as if I'm watching a time bomb explode and have no control over it. It breaks my heart. As Don Akchin mentioned, I am trying to watch with detachment - not following the news on TV but YouTube videos of forest scenes and peaceful music instead and doing what I can around me.
I'm thinking the forests on YouTube are part of what's motivating us at this moment. Staying in touch with everything under threat.
That makes sense and reminds of us things we hold dear.
Green ones, too. Esperar.
Green ones, too. Anything that's not orange.
Thank you, Susie. This more than helpful. I so appreciate your wisdom, patience and good sense as the world seems to shake and threaten all around us.
Marysue....I feel shaken as well. I don't know about you, but I require a lot of quiet. Reduced stimulation, sunshine, music. These are the tonics.
Thank you for these thoughtful, inspiring words. I, too, hope I am here see the world turn toward the light.
It's a whole new perspective for us older people. We can see what's coming. An even greater incentive to be in good health so as to transcend the current upheaval.
yes, the whole thing is shocking and terrifying. Aging is difficult enough without having a world that feels like it's disintegrating in front of you and knowing your children will have to live out their lives mired in whatever this produces.
I feel deeply for my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It's hard to imagine the privations they will suffer at the hands of climate change.
Susie, I'm usually an optimistic person, but the last week and a half has been difficult. The United States is falling like a rock. Trump has taken over this country, and its systems of laws and its purpose. We now have no justice system, no finance system and no outgoing support to the world.
I have never in my 80 years scene such a quick overthrow of a nation. I just read the 53 days it took Hillter to overthrow a democracy in the Atlantic magazine. Trump is following it almost line by line.
I hope and pray for all the world to wake up and help. Daryl
Daryl....I am also fearful and I think it's entirely appropriate. I would like to see some guidance specifically directed at people in our age category. Please pass that along if you see anything. Meanwhile...the best advice I've seen so far is Timothy Snyder's directive to "not obey in advance."
There is a CD that Max and I find very helpful these days: Chakra Chants by Jonathan Goldman. It involves chanting, Tibertan bowls, a drum and other instruments. There's a chant for each chakra. We listen to two a day, usually. I recommend getting hold of this CD.
Thank you, Marjorie. I'm finding writing, walking and being with my great-grandchildren give me the most relief. Chanting sounds wonderful.
So much feeling in response to your thought-provoking writing, Susie, all of us trying to find some way to navigate these days, which are unlike anything we have lived through. I manage by crying, writing, praying, and looking for extra ways to be kind, and to remember that everyone is a spark of the Divine. Sometimes this is hard to believe.
On the side of hope, goodness and wonder, Alan and I learned yesterday that our 17th great grandchild is a boy.
That's absolutely fantastic and glorious news. I'm so happy for you. I'm finding the writing is far and away the best medicine. I was all excited about my fiction project before I went to Mexico...but now it's hard to clear the space for that. So much is crowding my mind, plus we're busy with the children. That's a good thing. Maybe the fiction is supposed to be written in Minnesota. Love to you...
Imagine if no restaurant would serve them—there probably isn’t a kitchen in America that doesn’t employ immigrants. I, too, want to believe that many in his base are having some WTF moments. They will, sooner or later.
The first thing that comes to mind is the fabled Chinese curse: May you live in interesting times.
I’ve encountered many bullies in my lifetime, and so, probably, have you. We’re here because we’ve weathered them and even outlasted them. The First Felon is displaying classic bully behavior: grabbing indiscriminately for anything and everything, only pulling back when he faces pushback. The good news is the pushback is coming. Not against ALL his crazy moves (Does anyone feel safe with Hegseth heading Defense?!?)but against some (he burned his little hand with his attempt to curtail all Federal funding and had to back off on “encouraging” all Federal workers to take a buyout.
“Power isn’t given, it’s taken.” And bullies take and take. But there still is life in old Lady Liberty yet, creaky though her systems seem, and the more than 50% of the electorate that either voted against him or chose to sit the election out aren’t going to like how their taxes go up because of a deportation push that will cost billions. Or how food prices, a factor that helped him get elected, skyrocket because the workers who picked and processed and delivered their food have disappeared with no one to replace them. Come to think of it, his base isn’t going to like it, either.
Keep doing what you’re doing. We all have a part to play. Don’t underestimate yours. All tyrants wage wars of information. Keep fighting the good fight.
Thanks for the encouragement, BL. My sense is that there is a percentage of the T vote (no idea how large) that is already suffering buyer's remorse. The disruption of the food industry at the farm level, the processing level, and all the way up to restaurants, as a function of deportation and fear of deportation will be a major factor.
In response to this/your anguish: "To think that I may not live long enough to see the liberation of the Earth and its people is a source of great anguish. To think that I may take my last breath inside a dense black cloud on its way to autocracy is a cause for despair that I will need to work with by contemplating the long arc of history with faith." Susie, this is what I felt despite the actual realities of my daily life and even with decades practicing Buddhism and strong self-care, for six months I couldn't shake it. I started working with a Five Element acupuncturist in Nov (post election) and everything shifted--I have the horror but also the ability to mindfully wait and act. I feel more like a robust "Weeble" (wobble but don't fall down the basement stairs) rather than the dying cat. Just in case this might be an avenue for you--it's an experience with few words, which can be very powerful for those of us who live with many words.
Thank you, Zoe! Do you have a link to this work? You've really got my number as far as being embedded in language. Would love to see more about Five Element.
I do! I'll share two, one is a very useful video (best I've ever found) of a Five Element acupuncturist being interviewed about what the work is and does, and the other is a link to the Worsley site: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stBYM9KomNQ. and https://worsleyinstitute.com/pages/worsley-five-element-acupuncture®
Not unlike my experience of Rolfing, it makes me feel more integrated and grounded as myself. And with non-verbal support!
Hoping and waiting is all I can do right now and that passivity is so counterintuitive for me. I am still grieving from the election and each day bring new reasons to grieve. I know, with the logic built from prior experiences of grief, that this will pass, but I don't see light at the end of this tunnel. However, I do know also that there will be only 4 Springs, 4 Sumemrs, 3 Autumns, and 3 Winters and I will find a way to see the last of him during that time.
We are really being tested, Linda. Everyone, and I mean everyone, I know is trying to carve out a place of sanity, rest, and if possible a way to do good work.
I know I will find that path to do the good work I've tried to do for that past 60+ years.
I'm also convinced that you will.