Lately, I daydream about the things we could all be doing over the coming years if we didn't have to work tirelessly to protect ourselves from the incoming President and his rogues gallery Administration.
You invited comments on what we do to stay sane and stay strong:
I for one, take one 24-hour period per week without being online or watching any videos or TV. Its a kind of Shabbat Shalom in which, I read hardcopy books, take long walks, hug loved ones, stroke cats....enjoy a cup of java..... look through magazines, the simple things in life.
RA Mc, I agree with you- establishing, a Sabbath Day. All the things you suggest doing on a personal day are wonderful - many of them I choose to do too as well except I pet my dog and give her belly rubs.
Great survival guide, John! The aging side of me really believes in the "Be Present" advice: Each new day is a gift & should be treated as such to the best of our ability...do it with gratitude! The Peter Pan side of me loves your "Belly Laughter" advice. My father liked to use the old line: "Laugh & the world laughs with you!" The best tips for survival actually came up today during the eulogies for President Jimmy Carter: Tell the truth, respect others & keep the peace. In the end, your character & integrity are what is valued & remembered. :)
IF it is wrong to feel joy in the celebration of a life well lived - I DONT want to be right! In a “peanut” shell, “Jimmy & Rosalyn walked their talk, not caring about public opinion - just doing the right thing.” I had to smile at the comment that other presidents, while in office, did not reach out to him. Why would they? They knew truth & decency were behind every word of advice he would give. Once you’ve asked out loud for this, you are accountable to deliver. Not just in your actions, but in your heart & mind.
John, this situation is gnawing at me. My husband and I were watching a certain press conference that continued to unveil our possible future and I commented that it was like a train wreck. It was so terrifying that I couldn't look away. I have recovered from that moment and am now taking a short sabbatical from the world news. I am reading more unrelated books. I rub the dog's belly. I spread catnip for the crazies. It's just too much. Looking into the chasm of our future. Everyday is a chore that contains chores. Cultivation of self-care is an absolute must!
Thank you for reminding us that life is still happening all around us. I started coloring with gel pens. It is very relaxing and I am giving my first picture to my granddaughter for her 1st birthday. The party theme is under the sea. I had the picture framed and it is in step with the theme.
Thank you for this. I would add, "Don't feel guilty because you cannot contribute/participate/do everything to resist the menace." We are human and some of us try to be superhuman.
John, one of the things I have started is finding ways to resist and at the same time do something I like to do and know how to do. I became aware of an increased concern and need for self-defense among women and the LGBTQ+ community, and so I decided to offer a handgun class for free. I have always enjoyed firearms but in recent years haven't shot very much except for work qualifications (no longer needed). It gives me a sense of purpose now that I am retired and occasionally volunteering in Ukraine and for my local community. But I definitely enjoy and appreciate your commentary about taking time for yourself.
I have started writing my dissertation again. For weeks, I had no motivation. I kept thinking it may not matter. I'm doing it anyway. Between that and finding places like this, I feel much better. The meeting last night gave me a calm I haven't felt in 2 months. thank you
1. I write to each of my Congresspersons once a weekday, usually in the morning, pat myself on the back for speaking out, then lay it aside to take care of professional needs
2. I came to a point of closure with my dwindling congregation full of variously self-protecting scared old white self-deludingTrump voters and found a more consistently wide awake liberal group, then budgeted for the eighty minutes of driving to get to and from them each week.
3. I remember how good I feel if I “thump” on my banjo for a while to close out the day, so I picked it up again.
4. I pull out my mathematics and work at understanding something new every day.
5. I refuse to listen to the voice of that deranged felon.
Thanks for this. A good friend sent me a 2025 desk calendar with reminders about self-care and being present in the moment. My only resolution for the year is that I'm determined to always think, "What's the next right thing I can do?" It's not easy, however. Sometimes, all I can do is the next good thing. I'm working on it.
Thank you, John. Excellent ideas on healing ourselves, thereby keeping ourselves strong❤
You invited comments on what we do to stay sane and stay strong:
I for one, take one 24-hour period per week without being online or watching any videos or TV. Its a kind of Shabbat Shalom in which, I read hardcopy books, take long walks, hug loved ones, stroke cats....enjoy a cup of java..... look through magazines, the simple things in life.
RA Mc, I agree with you- establishing, a Sabbath Day. All the things you suggest doing on a personal day are wonderful - many of them I choose to do too as well except I pet my dog and give her belly rubs.
I always enjoy your writing. It always lifts my spirits. i just want to say thank you.
I love Hawaiian music. It brings me peace
Great survival guide, John! The aging side of me really believes in the "Be Present" advice: Each new day is a gift & should be treated as such to the best of our ability...do it with gratitude! The Peter Pan side of me loves your "Belly Laughter" advice. My father liked to use the old line: "Laugh & the world laughs with you!" The best tips for survival actually came up today during the eulogies for President Jimmy Carter: Tell the truth, respect others & keep the peace. In the end, your character & integrity are what is valued & remembered. :)
Is it wrong to feel that Jimmy Carter’s funeral brought me joy? It brought me joy and peace. No matter what, we had today.
IF it is wrong to feel joy in the celebration of a life well lived - I DONT want to be right! In a “peanut” shell, “Jimmy & Rosalyn walked their talk, not caring about public opinion - just doing the right thing.” I had to smile at the comment that other presidents, while in office, did not reach out to him. Why would they? They knew truth & decency were behind every word of advice he would give. Once you’ve asked out loud for this, you are accountable to deliver. Not just in your actions, but in your heart & mind.
Thank you for this one. It was up-lifting. My best practice is to get to the river among the trees.
Watch “Cunk on Earth”, Netflix…. Laughed for the entire showing. Very clever and very healing because of the laughter.
Also. Always read you as you feel like my personal angel. 🎶💕🌈🌏🙏🏻😇
Have a belly laugh.....
I love your words. Thank you for reminding me to look around and be grateful.
For several years we would vacation with our grandchildren when they were young. We have all talked about another vacation.
John, this situation is gnawing at me. My husband and I were watching a certain press conference that continued to unveil our possible future and I commented that it was like a train wreck. It was so terrifying that I couldn't look away. I have recovered from that moment and am now taking a short sabbatical from the world news. I am reading more unrelated books. I rub the dog's belly. I spread catnip for the crazies. It's just too much. Looking into the chasm of our future. Everyday is a chore that contains chores. Cultivation of self-care is an absolute must!
Thank you for reminding us that life is still happening all around us. I started coloring with gel pens. It is very relaxing and I am giving my first picture to my granddaughter for her 1st birthday. The party theme is under the sea. I had the picture framed and it is in step with the theme.
Thank you for this. I would add, "Don't feel guilty because you cannot contribute/participate/do everything to resist the menace." We are human and some of us try to be superhuman.
Thank you for that.
John, one of the things I have started is finding ways to resist and at the same time do something I like to do and know how to do. I became aware of an increased concern and need for self-defense among women and the LGBTQ+ community, and so I decided to offer a handgun class for free. I have always enjoyed firearms but in recent years haven't shot very much except for work qualifications (no longer needed). It gives me a sense of purpose now that I am retired and occasionally volunteering in Ukraine and for my local community. But I definitely enjoy and appreciate your commentary about taking time for yourself.
I have started writing my dissertation again. For weeks, I had no motivation. I kept thinking it may not matter. I'm doing it anyway. Between that and finding places like this, I feel much better. The meeting last night gave me a calm I haven't felt in 2 months. thank you
Wonderful post. So glad to read you have started to write your dissertation! One step or one page at a time, outstanding… encouragement from afar.
1. I write to each of my Congresspersons once a weekday, usually in the morning, pat myself on the back for speaking out, then lay it aside to take care of professional needs
2. I came to a point of closure with my dwindling congregation full of variously self-protecting scared old white self-deludingTrump voters and found a more consistently wide awake liberal group, then budgeted for the eighty minutes of driving to get to and from them each week.
3. I remember how good I feel if I “thump” on my banjo for a while to close out the day, so I picked it up again.
4. I pull out my mathematics and work at understanding something new every day.
5. I refuse to listen to the voice of that deranged felon.
Great!
Thanks for this. A good friend sent me a 2025 desk calendar with reminders about self-care and being present in the moment. My only resolution for the year is that I'm determined to always think, "What's the next right thing I can do?" It's not easy, however. Sometimes, all I can do is the next good thing. I'm working on it.
John, I want to thank you for your posts. I also forward them to a friend and one of my sisters. I am encouraged by them when good news is sparse.
I quit watching the news and reading newspapers. My news consumption now consists of NPR, PBS and the BBC.
I just finished reading all the comments and loved the soothing positivity of each one. Thank you, everyone.