https://www.democracydocket.com has a plan and they implementing it as we speak. Run by one of the best lawyers in the country. They are on it. Let John Pavlovitz take of your Soul and let Marc Elias take care of the litigation. They are also teams of lawyers all of the country that are battling insanity. We can all fight this together.
That is what I have been hoping as I walk this tightrope trying not to fall off into the depths of grief and despair. Is anyone out there qualified and powerful enough to fight these monsters? I appreciate John's words and hold them close. They keep me balanced and on the rope.
This is lovely - thanks! It is not easy withstanding the ongoing and relentless heart break that is being pushed on us to break us. That is what authoritarians and fascists do. We need to support and celebrate the goodness in ourselves and others wherever we find it.
This is exactly what I needed to hear after feeling gaslit recently. Sometimes I don’t even think the gaslighting is intentional due to people simply being emotionally triggered in this tense political environment but it still makes you feel crazy . Makes you feel like “ Am I wrong ?” So thank you . Thank you for your dedication and remaining a light for those of us whose head feels like it might be spinning .
Thank you, John, for being a "beacon deacon" of sensibility & hope! :)
On this 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp on Jan. 27, 1945, your words ring so very true. I especially appreciate: "It's all confirmation that you still have a soul doing what souls are supposed to do: Keep you deeply human in profoundly inhumane times." Bless you!
Please take care of yourself and your heart Gayle in any ways that lift your heart and make life good. I've had to really limit my on line content. Set a timer, make it only once or twice a week for a set time. Get out in nature, book club, volunteer or join a community group doing something you really care about. Being around like minded souls help. You are NOT alone. All the best to you.
Me too. Especially dark time for me personally with the loss of my dear brother in November. I sometimes feel like I'm drowning in sorrow. Reading John's articles and replies from compassionate people like yourself keeps me afloat.
I'm very sorry for the recent loss of your brother. That on top of everything that is going on in our country and world. "Drowning in sorrow" indeed. I can't imagine how difficult it is for you. I wish peace and all good things for you and your heart as you walk through this heavy time. We ARE in this together.
Thank you for the encouragement! I am 81 years old and have never witnessed such a distortion of Christianity and loss of empathy served with hate and revenge in my lifetime. My daily prayer is “deliver us from the evil that has bewitched our country!”
I am shocked but getting just downright angrier by the day. I have lost friends and family because I refuse to sit silently by and in the words of Jesse Jackson “go along to get along.”
John, you absolutely read my mind and looked inside my wounded heart.
I worked 40 years as an RN, seeing the best in people as I helped them through the worst days of their lives. Everyone from CEOs to homeless drug addicts got the best care. Paid taxes. Followed rules. Volunteered in my community. Researched candidates and faithfully voted.
In retirement, realized it wasn’t enough so signed up with Activate America and wrote postcards to get out the vote - to registered Democrats who were infrequent voters. Mountains of postcards. Engaged with friends who lean Republican and provided info from credentialed sources - Reich, Heather, and Joyce. Pointed out the carnage that would happen if the guardrails got dismantled.
It’s happening. NOW WHAT? Specifically, what can the average citizen do other than survive til we vote again?
“You're also in good company. Right now there is a massive army of similarly walking wounded sharing this place with you; fellow exhausted souls… You need to refuse to be gaslit by people…Right now, work to find your people, those who are as heartbroken and furious as you are, and begin find ways to care for human beings in duress, to organize against the legislative assaults, and to be strengthened by loving community. In times when truth and news are pliable, truth-tellers are worth more than gold.” I agree and we need to wake up the DNC.
And, never abandon love. If we believe the love of God holds us, we are safe. And the angel said, "Be not afraid." We must continue to exude love in our environment and for ourselves. Do not accept gaslighting abuse. And do not let go of love.
One thing that has helped me has been joining Bluesky. I find information there and like minded folks. I repost interesting Substack reads like yours and other folks that I respect. There are a lot of people out there who have common sense. We just need to find one another. This was a great post!
My therapist told me; if you think there is a problem here, there is. Age 68, a life time scapegoat going along with the family program the lightbulb came on. Toying with suicidal thoughts et al I hit the books, journal's for 2 years, went no contact three different times, lost 13 family members, some of which practiced Jehovah. I've been ghosted, gas lighted, accused abused,triagulated through confabulations. What is the problem here? Healing to a somewhat decent level has taken 4 years. Then donny shows up. By this time I could see the writing on the wall. The problem here is lack of the education needed to understand this poisoning. The conspiracy that is patting us on the hand says anti trumpers get over it. It's going to be alright. Another gaslighting trick. Think about half a nation being cult radicalized by one person. Fascinating! The truth be told. Now I am more at peace though orphaned. My life experience can be applied to millions of uneducated Americans. After the gaslighting, you will be ghosted and left out in the cold. I'm not writing this for my health. The time it takes ecks into my day, but I'm still alive and this is my contribution to my people. GET UP STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS.
Needed this today. Thank you John for always explaining feelings that are difficult to wrap our heads around. Please continue to be a beacon of hope and sanity to all who are part of your online community.
The future looked dim until I read with eyes wide open how President Petro of Colombia thwarted trump’s callous and evil plan to treat the immigrants who are being deported under his edict. He may think he won the game, but truth be told, Petro won the war by standing up to the orange buffoon as he has agreed to treat the immigrants with some dignity by providing water and bathroom breaks while being flown back to their homeland. To the leaders of the world take note of Petro’s actions and emulate them. Play your hand from strength and align yourself with other countries that are being attacker. You are not alone, there are numerous others who will be verbally attacked by trump before his reign of terror is over.
John, thank you for your essays by giving us hope for the future.
Thank you John. I so admire your strength. I think what is the hardest to take is the massive misinformation Trump supporters have fallen for. Right after the election I had a conversation with a woman who I befriended last year. During the conversation she let me know she was a Trump supporter. I was totally surprised to say the least. She spoke about how all of the charges against him were false. I brought up climate change. It was when she told me she doesn't believe in it that I finally walked away. As I left I heard her say, "I believe in some science."
Wow, John! I am so glad to read this and now to hear the sincerity and care in your voice. I needed to hear this. My wonderful church friends asked me last week if I was “ok,” and I said no, I am not, and I burst into tears and wondered why no one else was weeping. They’re trying to encourage me and I love them for that. But I did feel weird reacting so strongly when everyone else I love seemed to be holding it together. And my Republican brothers, whom I love, told me I “wear my heart on my sleeve,”and am “so emotional” and “take things so personally.” But this human family IS MY FAMILY and this all feels personal to me. Yes, I guess I am grieving. Thank you. It feels good to be understood even if by a stranger.
Thank you for the hope your posts offer many. Hope and prayers are good. But I think we need a plan.
https://www.democracydocket.com has a plan and they implementing it as we speak. Run by one of the best lawyers in the country. They are on it. Let John Pavlovitz take of your Soul and let Marc Elias take care of the litigation. They are also teams of lawyers all of the country that are battling insanity. We can all fight this together.
Thank you! Knowing there are practical steps being taken to counter the deceit, destructive legislation and pure insanity is a comfort.
Marc Elias and the work he is doing is amazing!
That is what I have been hoping as I walk this tightrope trying not to fall off into the depths of grief and despair. Is anyone out there qualified and powerful enough to fight these monsters? I appreciate John's words and hold them close. They keep me balanced and on the rope.
Thank you Steven!!
This is lovely - thanks! It is not easy withstanding the ongoing and relentless heart break that is being pushed on us to break us. That is what authoritarians and fascists do. We need to support and celebrate the goodness in ourselves and others wherever we find it.
This is exactly what I needed to hear after feeling gaslit recently. Sometimes I don’t even think the gaslighting is intentional due to people simply being emotionally triggered in this tense political environment but it still makes you feel crazy . Makes you feel like “ Am I wrong ?” So thank you . Thank you for your dedication and remaining a light for those of us whose head feels like it might be spinning .
Thank you, John, for being a "beacon deacon" of sensibility & hope! :)
On this 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp on Jan. 27, 1945, your words ring so very true. I especially appreciate: "It's all confirmation that you still have a soul doing what souls are supposed to do: Keep you deeply human in profoundly inhumane times." Bless you!
Thank you for this. I am so overwhelmed and depressed.
Please take care of yourself and your heart Gayle in any ways that lift your heart and make life good. I've had to really limit my on line content. Set a timer, make it only once or twice a week for a set time. Get out in nature, book club, volunteer or join a community group doing something you really care about. Being around like minded souls help. You are NOT alone. All the best to you.
Thank you. All good ideas. ❤️
Thank you for being willing to throw out a life line.
Me too. Especially dark time for me personally with the loss of my dear brother in November. I sometimes feel like I'm drowning in sorrow. Reading John's articles and replies from compassionate people like yourself keeps me afloat.
🫂
We’ll hang in there together ❤️
I'm very sorry for the recent loss of your brother. That on top of everything that is going on in our country and world. "Drowning in sorrow" indeed. I can't imagine how difficult it is for you. I wish peace and all good things for you and your heart as you walk through this heavy time. We ARE in this together.
Thank you for the encouragement! I am 81 years old and have never witnessed such a distortion of Christianity and loss of empathy served with hate and revenge in my lifetime. My daily prayer is “deliver us from the evil that has bewitched our country!”
I am shocked but getting just downright angrier by the day. I have lost friends and family because I refuse to sit silently by and in the words of Jesse Jackson “go along to get along.”
I'm 76 and join your prayers with my own!
And, I’m 84 and joining in spirit with you! Prayers must ultimately lead to action.
John, you absolutely read my mind and looked inside my wounded heart.
I worked 40 years as an RN, seeing the best in people as I helped them through the worst days of their lives. Everyone from CEOs to homeless drug addicts got the best care. Paid taxes. Followed rules. Volunteered in my community. Researched candidates and faithfully voted.
In retirement, realized it wasn’t enough so signed up with Activate America and wrote postcards to get out the vote - to registered Democrats who were infrequent voters. Mountains of postcards. Engaged with friends who lean Republican and provided info from credentialed sources - Reich, Heather, and Joyce. Pointed out the carnage that would happen if the guardrails got dismantled.
It’s happening. NOW WHAT? Specifically, what can the average citizen do other than survive til we vote again?
My questions too!
“You're also in good company. Right now there is a massive army of similarly walking wounded sharing this place with you; fellow exhausted souls… You need to refuse to be gaslit by people…Right now, work to find your people, those who are as heartbroken and furious as you are, and begin find ways to care for human beings in duress, to organize against the legislative assaults, and to be strengthened by loving community. In times when truth and news are pliable, truth-tellers are worth more than gold.” I agree and we need to wake up the DNC.
https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/i-will-call-the-dnc-today?r=3m1bs
And, never abandon love. If we believe the love of God holds us, we are safe. And the angel said, "Be not afraid." We must continue to exude love in our environment and for ourselves. Do not accept gaslighting abuse. And do not let go of love.
One thing that has helped me has been joining Bluesky. I find information there and like minded folks. I repost interesting Substack reads like yours and other folks that I respect. There are a lot of people out there who have common sense. We just need to find one another. This was a great post!
My therapist told me; if you think there is a problem here, there is. Age 68, a life time scapegoat going along with the family program the lightbulb came on. Toying with suicidal thoughts et al I hit the books, journal's for 2 years, went no contact three different times, lost 13 family members, some of which practiced Jehovah. I've been ghosted, gas lighted, accused abused,triagulated through confabulations. What is the problem here? Healing to a somewhat decent level has taken 4 years. Then donny shows up. By this time I could see the writing on the wall. The problem here is lack of the education needed to understand this poisoning. The conspiracy that is patting us on the hand says anti trumpers get over it. It's going to be alright. Another gaslighting trick. Think about half a nation being cult radicalized by one person. Fascinating! The truth be told. Now I am more at peace though orphaned. My life experience can be applied to millions of uneducated Americans. After the gaslighting, you will be ghosted and left out in the cold. I'm not writing this for my health. The time it takes ecks into my day, but I'm still alive and this is my contribution to my people. GET UP STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS.
Needed this today. Thank you John for always explaining feelings that are difficult to wrap our heads around. Please continue to be a beacon of hope and sanity to all who are part of your online community.
The future looked dim until I read with eyes wide open how President Petro of Colombia thwarted trump’s callous and evil plan to treat the immigrants who are being deported under his edict. He may think he won the game, but truth be told, Petro won the war by standing up to the orange buffoon as he has agreed to treat the immigrants with some dignity by providing water and bathroom breaks while being flown back to their homeland. To the leaders of the world take note of Petro’s actions and emulate them. Play your hand from strength and align yourself with other countries that are being attacker. You are not alone, there are numerous others who will be verbally attacked by trump before his reign of terror is over.
John, thank you for your essays by giving us hope for the future.
Thank you John. I so admire your strength. I think what is the hardest to take is the massive misinformation Trump supporters have fallen for. Right after the election I had a conversation with a woman who I befriended last year. During the conversation she let me know she was a Trump supporter. I was totally surprised to say the least. She spoke about how all of the charges against him were false. I brought up climate change. It was when she told me she doesn't believe in it that I finally walked away. As I left I heard her say, "I believe in some science."
Dr. Oz? RFK, Jr? 🙄
Rally the people, Leading the charge for Democracy. I'm not giving up and not backing down!! Terrific Read today, and will reStack ASAP 💯👍🇺🇸💥
Wow, John! I am so glad to read this and now to hear the sincerity and care in your voice. I needed to hear this. My wonderful church friends asked me last week if I was “ok,” and I said no, I am not, and I burst into tears and wondered why no one else was weeping. They’re trying to encourage me and I love them for that. But I did feel weird reacting so strongly when everyone else I love seemed to be holding it together. And my Republican brothers, whom I love, told me I “wear my heart on my sleeve,”and am “so emotional” and “take things so personally.” But this human family IS MY FAMILY and this all feels personal to me. Yes, I guess I am grieving. Thank you. It feels good to be understood even if by a stranger.