Almut...lately, in moments of despair over the latest poll numbers (which I know cannot be trusted anyway), or what is happening in other parts of the world, I think back to my childhood, and the things I remember the most...play, friends, my own backyard. And yet, the cold war was going on...the United States and the USSR had a very precarious relationship. People were building bomb shelters in their backyards. I knew these things but still played. Then, as a young adult with small children, my life was made up with church life, school life, friendships...things were going on in the world (as they have always gone on in the world) but I didn't think too much about it. Other than prayer, my hands were tied. Now, I am not as busy and have more time to feel despair and it's not that what is going on is unimportant, it's that in ruminating about it all I've lost sight of my real in person life...I want to get back to my real everyday life being in the forefront of my mind and not the division and clickbait and fear mongering the media throws our way. I do know it's important to make this happen. Thanks for your reminder!
Becca, I am glad you took this letter as an invitation to pause. I also love to hear that you appreciate the photos. And yes, bad news can be traumatizing, and we have too much of it. Blessings 🙏
Choosing joy AND sharing it -- whether it be the bright flowers still hanging on or a child kicking a walnut down the street with great intensity -- is such a gift... undergirding needed to do the work of the world. Thank you for the beautiful reminder of where to find joy every day.
I needed this so much, not just today. And we need this guidance, and more, and shared wisdom for living forward. The division and hatred and cruelty are not going to disappear magically even if the campaign of joy wins, so we will have to learn new ways to live the joy and share it Brody and consistently.
Oh I needed to read this today! Was bogged down in the news reading and despair and concern yesterday. Casting my ballot today (mail in) and hoping for joy in that process while continue to cultivate my own.
Christine, I am so glad to hear this. I was not sure anymore when I clicked on send. But to know it lifted your burden for just a bit my work is done :-)
Almut...lately, in moments of despair over the latest poll numbers (which I know cannot be trusted anyway), or what is happening in other parts of the world, I think back to my childhood, and the things I remember the most...play, friends, my own backyard. And yet, the cold war was going on...the United States and the USSR had a very precarious relationship. People were building bomb shelters in their backyards. I knew these things but still played. Then, as a young adult with small children, my life was made up with church life, school life, friendships...things were going on in the world (as they have always gone on in the world) but I didn't think too much about it. Other than prayer, my hands were tied. Now, I am not as busy and have more time to feel despair and it's not that what is going on is unimportant, it's that in ruminating about it all I've lost sight of my real in person life...I want to get back to my real everyday life being in the forefront of my mind and not the division and clickbait and fear mongering the media throws our way. I do know it's important to make this happen. Thanks for your reminder!
Linda, I love your words so much. Especially:
"I knew these things but still played"
I think this is what the Christian gospel invites us to do: To know and to still play. To do what we can and then to lean into hope and play :-)
Thank you so much. 🙏
praying for you all in America - from England
bless you, sally, and thank you for reading along 🙏
Your photographs are an invitation to stop and breathe. The warmth is beautiful.
I had not thought of the diatribes we hear as being another source of secondary trauma but it's true, isn't it?
And what a beautiful description of existential work, sitting in the struggle, noticing it, wondering what can be experienced here.
I don't give myself much option to pause, but I am glad I did today, in reading this. Thank you.
Becca, I am glad you took this letter as an invitation to pause. I also love to hear that you appreciate the photos. And yes, bad news can be traumatizing, and we have too much of it. Blessings 🙏
Choosing joy AND sharing it -- whether it be the bright flowers still hanging on or a child kicking a walnut down the street with great intensity -- is such a gift... undergirding needed to do the work of the world. Thank you for the beautiful reminder of where to find joy every day.
What beautiful images you describe, Anne 🙏 much joy!
I needed this so much, not just today. And we need this guidance, and more, and shared wisdom for living forward. The division and hatred and cruelty are not going to disappear magically even if the campaign of joy wins, so we will have to learn new ways to live the joy and share it Brody and consistently.
Donna, I am glad this post found you. And yes, joy is daily work beyond elections. I need to remind myself daily 😇
Of course that last line should be "broadly and consistently". Don't know how that mistake happened.
I read it that way anyways 😇
Oh I needed to read this today! Was bogged down in the news reading and despair and concern yesterday. Casting my ballot today (mail in) and hoping for joy in that process while continue to cultivate my own.
Christine, I am so glad to hear this. I was not sure anymore when I clicked on send. But to know it lifted your burden for just a bit my work is done :-)
Have a joyful election Sunday, dear friend 🙏