I'd like to share your phrase "Prophet Motive" with my rabbi. Excellent piece, Don. I intend to keep advocating for and empowering solo agers (10 years); doing landscape maintenance in Central Park (13 years), and vow to listen longer and more deeply to personal conversations.
Iris DeMent evokes the Greek proverb, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."
Thought provoking and inspiring, as always Don. I’m going to keep working towards criminal justice reform for those with autism. And performing random acts of kindness!
What I'm going to do (today) is suggest you check out the lyrics to Iris DeMent's "Wasteland of the Free". It won't solve any problems but sure does illuminate where some of our problems lie (lay?). This song is on oldie and goodie from Iris.
Like Lisa's comment below, I've been 'hibernating' from most political news. I scan headlines, read the first paragraph of an article, and quit watching MSNBC. But I have mostly stopped being a news junkie. I'm exhausted and disillusioned. I don't want to feel this way, but can't seem to escape the feeling of hopelessness. And I know that's exactly what they want.
Articles like yours are helpful, so thank you. I'll check out the sources you've listed. Maybe in time, I'll get my mojo back. Maybe once Trump is back in the White House doing all the horrific things he's promising, I'll get angry again, and that will fuel some action. Maybe, just maybe.
When I was a child my father conveyed angst that the world and America as we knew it then would surely collapse if the (supply your own political party) got in. I’m still here and so are the rest of us.
Don, I've been feeling some of the same stirrings. Connectivity is key to my commitment -- as is remembering and (re)learning about those who came before us and fought the good fight even when the odds seemed stacked against them. I am inspired by Dr. Vivek Murthy and his writings/interviews about connection and community as roots of our health. I also will deliberately turn my face toward those things that make me uncomfortable in an effort to fuel my fight. I must remain rooted in community to be effective in my challenges to the injustice which, stacked up, are too overwhelming to tackle together. Specifically, I plan to further immerse myself deeper in understanding - and writing about - the systems of racism, misogyny and sexism so that I might do some small part to unravel, weaken, and certain fail to perpetuate these shadows that are hard at work in our country.
Sure I would have been happier if the el toon at the national level had gone the other way. However I have always been pretty sure the biggest and really only impact I have is locally. It’s doing the stuff that helps my little sphere of the world. I volunteer with hospice…people die regardless of which party is in power. And I show up for life every day even when I sort of don’t want to. I maintain contacts with friends and try to reach out a bit more to those with whom I don’t always agree. It’s all a day at a time…and our community.
Excellent piece. All I know is I can’t look away or draw the curtains. Canadians face a trade war and tariffs. The US is our largest trading partner. I too am thinking day and night about this.
Don, thanks so much for writing this piece! I feel like most people in "ageland" have gone dormant, talking about longevity pills, dancing around with celebrities instead of the realities for the political environment. I too feel like we have an obligation to act, not only for ourselves but to make things better for future generations. And I will be.
I'd like to share your phrase "Prophet Motive" with my rabbi. Excellent piece, Don. I intend to keep advocating for and empowering solo agers (10 years); doing landscape maintenance in Central Park (13 years), and vow to listen longer and more deeply to personal conversations.
Iris DeMent evokes the Greek proverb, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in."
Beautiful, Wendl. You're an inspiration.
Wendl, so important. Whatever we do now is essential for our children, grandchildren and generations to come.
Thought provoking and inspiring, as always Don. I’m going to keep working towards criminal justice reform for those with autism. And performing random acts of kindness!
Thanks, Susan, and all best wishes to you as you pursue a cause close to your heart.
Thank you for this hopeful post. I have been hibernating in my home since the election. Time to change that.
Excellent, as always.
Thank you, Amy. I guess something from Sunday School sunk in.
Yes!!!
What I'm going to do (today) is suggest you check out the lyrics to Iris DeMent's "Wasteland of the Free". It won't solve any problems but sure does illuminate where some of our problems lie (lay?). This song is on oldie and goodie from Iris.
Like Lisa's comment below, I've been 'hibernating' from most political news. I scan headlines, read the first paragraph of an article, and quit watching MSNBC. But I have mostly stopped being a news junkie. I'm exhausted and disillusioned. I don't want to feel this way, but can't seem to escape the feeling of hopelessness. And I know that's exactly what they want.
Articles like yours are helpful, so thank you. I'll check out the sources you've listed. Maybe in time, I'll get my mojo back. Maybe once Trump is back in the White House doing all the horrific things he's promising, I'll get angry again, and that will fuel some action. Maybe, just maybe.
Exhaustion is understandable. So is anger. Meanwhile, we can try to be our best version of ourselves.
When I was a child my father conveyed angst that the world and America as we knew it then would surely collapse if the (supply your own political party) got in. I’m still here and so are the rest of us.
Patty, that is so true. Thanks for that dose of reality.
Don, I've been feeling some of the same stirrings. Connectivity is key to my commitment -- as is remembering and (re)learning about those who came before us and fought the good fight even when the odds seemed stacked against them. I am inspired by Dr. Vivek Murthy and his writings/interviews about connection and community as roots of our health. I also will deliberately turn my face toward those things that make me uncomfortable in an effort to fuel my fight. I must remain rooted in community to be effective in my challenges to the injustice which, stacked up, are too overwhelming to tackle together. Specifically, I plan to further immerse myself deeper in understanding - and writing about - the systems of racism, misogyny and sexism so that I might do some small part to unravel, weaken, and certain fail to perpetuate these shadows that are hard at work in our country.
Sure I would have been happier if the el toon at the national level had gone the other way. However I have always been pretty sure the biggest and really only impact I have is locally. It’s doing the stuff that helps my little sphere of the world. I volunteer with hospice…people die regardless of which party is in power. And I show up for life every day even when I sort of don’t want to. I maintain contacts with friends and try to reach out a bit more to those with whom I don’t always agree. It’s all a day at a time…and our community.
Well said, Kathy!
Excellent piece. All I know is I can’t look away or draw the curtains. Canadians face a trade war and tariffs. The US is our largest trading partner. I too am thinking day and night about this.
Thanks, Alice. It's a lot to think about.
Don, thanks so much for writing this piece! I feel like most people in "ageland" have gone dormant, talking about longevity pills, dancing around with celebrities instead of the realities for the political environment. I too feel like we have an obligation to act, not only for ourselves but to make things better for future generations. And I will be.
Janine, thanks for all you do!
Love the "Prophet Motive" idea!
Like you, I was moved to write, not about how we got here, but instead what we do next.
A couple suggestions, the main one being to pick one cause and go with it, trusting that others will choose other causes. It's the "Reality-Based Edition" of the newsletter. https://stellafosse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-11-Newsletter.pdf
Thanks, Stella. Great suggestion!
I've also been stumbling, trying to figure out how best to move forward in this new world. You have provided some viable starting points.
Thanks, Janice. I hope it's helpful.
Ok, ok. I'll give the neighbors bread. They like that.
Right. Start small. Make them smile.
Yes! It's on my Favorites playlist.
Great to hear from you, Jennifer! These are major commitments - I wish you strength, success, and fellow companions on your journey.