A radio host recently asked me what recurring themes I sense as I talk with my readers, engage online, and meet people across the country in my travels.
Putting our oxygen masks on ourselves before we put them on the country takes discipline. Learning boundaries for self-care and safety is so important. Another beautifully insightful and written post.
First responders often sleep in shifts. Soldiers get R and R. We can take turns fighting and resting and having mini vacations because as you say. it is a marathon.
Saturday I hit the wall. I took a two hour nap and felt so much better Sunday. Thanks for the validation. I think naps are encouraged in the Bible. Jesus napped through the storm on the lake.
One of the things that saves my spirit is, every 3 months or so, I go to a bed and breakfast for the peace and for the silence. I did that before this train wreck so now I really know how essential it is!!
We surely need to divert our minds from what's going on now and then. I've been knitting up a new batch of "resist" hats. I had thought they might not be needed after the first Trump period. And there are some excellent International series on PBS.org and other streaming services that keep me entertained while knitting. Thank you for keeping us sane. I hope you can rest occasionally.
Heart-rending and more or less true. However we nap, though, let's learn to do so the way soldiers under fire do it: via watches, and sometimes with one eye open. I nap, briefly, when I need to, and look forward to spring when I'll be out in the garden again. But this snowy winter here in the northern mid-atlantic, I've kept walking, buckling sidwalk crampons over my snow boots, and using trekking poles to remain upright. I also continue to eat right and--and this might, for me, be crucial--to make sure my voice is heard, via outlets like yours, via calls and emails to my elected representatives, to my fellow parishioners, my friends, etc. I also pray for the grace to continue.
This unfortunately looks like a long haul. I do zone out as I must or my REAL life will disappear and that is unacceptable. What keeps me going is I am hoping that one morning I wake up and see that some of his followers have been hit and they are screaming. Then I shall smile as their eyes are open. Yes it will happen I just hope that it won't be too late.
Yes, I feel you! A lot of lost sleep, indigestion, and falling into the bad-news-hole.
I've managed to keep up with the physical exercise & dog walks, though. Physical activity is really helpful; connects the body-mind-spirit, brings me into the present moment. And if I get a LOT of exercise it helps with the sleep. Taking care of ourselves is part of building long-term opposition.
1. After getting sicker than I've been in 35 years -- and make no doubt about it: the strain of pneumonia going around up here in the Frozen Tundra (Indianapolis) is absolutely BRUTAL. I didn't feel like my normal self until after the beginning of the New Year. Early on, I came as close as I ever have to chucking Christianity out the window, baby and bathwater and everything that goes with it. While recovering, I have re-found my faith. It has come back in a different form; and it's a much more militant faith than it was -- and I'm not shy about using it.
2. I re-found my anger, and I have fanned it until it has turned WHITE HOT. Instead of just sitting there and "being angry", I'm channeling that anger. A group of us are putting together a "banned books library" -- since we're not librarians, and we don't get public funds, state laws on banned books don't apply to us. I'm getting people in our neighborhood to install sheltered, outdoor libraries containing banned books. I'm calling state leaders, including the governor and state legislators and holding them accountable for some truly BAD legislation; I'm holding Democratic city councilors accountable for colluding with Republicans on school vouchers; and to quote Mother Jones, “The first thing is to raise hell. That’s always the first thing to do when you’re faced with an injustice and you feel powerless."
Oh -- and I'm making a list of properties owned by Republican state legislators, and the condition of those properties; and since those same Republican legislators are so hot to trot about getting the Ten Commandments posted in public schools, I figure the public would like to know which of those Republican legislators are violating the Seventh Commandment -- the one about "not committing adultery", which seems to be their favorite non-legislative pastime. I figure the public, especially their constituents, might like to know about these things.
This, of course, assumes that their constituencies are not as amoral as the people they elect to office -- and given H.L. Mencken's quote: "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." (H.L. Mencken, July 26, 1920) it's entirely possible their constituents are really, truly electing one of their own.
And, since I've got an upcoming piano recital of my own transcriptions from organ to piano -- I make sure to practice AT LEAST three hours every day, which makes me feel good about life.
Welcome!!!! So glad you did! Hope to have a post out this week! Share it with others whom you think would be interested—we have work to do in this bright red state!
I'm glad you didn't abandon the Christian faith altogether. I'm one of those who actually believes what Jesus said: we are called to care for the least of these...
Eight years ago I had a stroke the week before Trump was elected. Today I will certainly take a nap, take my blood pressure meds, and yes, check in with the news…..but also realize that I am not alone, others share my concerns and worries. I fear it will take years to rebuild a sane, tolerant society. But we will get there again.
These are the things I've been doing since before the election. I understand they won't work for everyone, but they might help someone:
- I figured out I was waking up naturally at the time I needed to start work on time, so I stopped using the alarm clock.
- Since I start work at 7 am, I stopped working until 5:30 - 6:00 pm. I don't care if the sky is falling - I am stopping at 4:30 pm.
- I actually got rid of my Fitbit. I realized that feeling depressed and beating myself up for not meeting a step goal was causing me more harm than the good from step tracking. So, I ditched it. Not missing it.
- Started taking vitamin D.
- Beefed up iron and calcium in my diet (pun intended).
- As soon as some of the trails started opening after Hurricane Helene, I started getting myself back out there.
Thank you John. Reading this I am finally able to cry. I have been afraid that if I started I wouldn’t be able to stop and I really needed this release. Now I am going to go take a long nap before I try to carry on.
Your inherent compassion IS what is missing with this Republican Regime...sigh! I literally pray that MAGA will take itself down with in-fighting...and/or other nations will halt any moves by this current government to step into any sovereign space.
Yep, I worked this morning in organizing a statewide network of resistance, contacted my advocacy network to work on organizing small groups to visit our traitorous and cowardly MAGA loyal Senators and am now going to take a nap. There is a powerful resistance movement(s) emerging— fueled by love and compassion and decency. I will allow that thought to lull me into a late afternoon nap. Thank you for your writing!
Putting our oxygen masks on ourselves before we put them on the country takes discipline. Learning boundaries for self-care and safety is so important. Another beautifully insightful and written post.
Exactly. If you don't help yourself first, you can't help anyone else.
First responders often sleep in shifts. Soldiers get R and R. We can take turns fighting and resting and having mini vacations because as you say. it is a marathon.
Saturday I hit the wall. I took a two hour nap and felt so much better Sunday. Thanks for the validation. I think naps are encouraged in the Bible. Jesus napped through the storm on the lake.
One of the things that saves my spirit is, every 3 months or so, I go to a bed and breakfast for the peace and for the silence. I did that before this train wreck so now I really know how essential it is!!
Thanks for that reaffirmation I love bed-and-breakfasts and I escape to one in Gainesville, Florida when I need to get away. I need to do it soon!
Naps are important. Just ask the cats.
We surely need to divert our minds from what's going on now and then. I've been knitting up a new batch of "resist" hats. I had thought they might not be needed after the first Trump period. And there are some excellent International series on PBS.org and other streaming services that keep me entertained while knitting. Thank you for keeping us sane. I hope you can rest occasionally.
Yes! Knitting is an excellent antidote! I’m knitting the most complicated patterns I can find to keep me sane and alert.
Heart-rending and more or less true. However we nap, though, let's learn to do so the way soldiers under fire do it: via watches, and sometimes with one eye open. I nap, briefly, when I need to, and look forward to spring when I'll be out in the garden again. But this snowy winter here in the northern mid-atlantic, I've kept walking, buckling sidwalk crampons over my snow boots, and using trekking poles to remain upright. I also continue to eat right and--and this might, for me, be crucial--to make sure my voice is heard, via outlets like yours, via calls and emails to my elected representatives, to my fellow parishioners, my friends, etc. I also pray for the grace to continue.
John, now take a nap for your health and well-being, please. Your community will still be here.
This unfortunately looks like a long haul. I do zone out as I must or my REAL life will disappear and that is unacceptable. What keeps me going is I am hoping that one morning I wake up and see that some of his followers have been hit and they are screaming. Then I shall smile as their eyes are open. Yes it will happen I just hope that it won't be too late.
Yes, I feel you! A lot of lost sleep, indigestion, and falling into the bad-news-hole.
I've managed to keep up with the physical exercise & dog walks, though. Physical activity is really helpful; connects the body-mind-spirit, brings me into the present moment. And if I get a LOT of exercise it helps with the sleep. Taking care of ourselves is part of building long-term opposition.
Two things have happened to me since November 5:
1. After getting sicker than I've been in 35 years -- and make no doubt about it: the strain of pneumonia going around up here in the Frozen Tundra (Indianapolis) is absolutely BRUTAL. I didn't feel like my normal self until after the beginning of the New Year. Early on, I came as close as I ever have to chucking Christianity out the window, baby and bathwater and everything that goes with it. While recovering, I have re-found my faith. It has come back in a different form; and it's a much more militant faith than it was -- and I'm not shy about using it.
2. I re-found my anger, and I have fanned it until it has turned WHITE HOT. Instead of just sitting there and "being angry", I'm channeling that anger. A group of us are putting together a "banned books library" -- since we're not librarians, and we don't get public funds, state laws on banned books don't apply to us. I'm getting people in our neighborhood to install sheltered, outdoor libraries containing banned books. I'm calling state leaders, including the governor and state legislators and holding them accountable for some truly BAD legislation; I'm holding Democratic city councilors accountable for colluding with Republicans on school vouchers; and to quote Mother Jones, “The first thing is to raise hell. That’s always the first thing to do when you’re faced with an injustice and you feel powerless."
Oh -- and I'm making a list of properties owned by Republican state legislators, and the condition of those properties; and since those same Republican legislators are so hot to trot about getting the Ten Commandments posted in public schools, I figure the public would like to know which of those Republican legislators are violating the Seventh Commandment -- the one about "not committing adultery", which seems to be their favorite non-legislative pastime. I figure the public, especially their constituents, might like to know about these things.
This, of course, assumes that their constituencies are not as amoral as the people they elect to office -- and given H.L. Mencken's quote: "As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." (H.L. Mencken, July 26, 1920) it's entirely possible their constituents are really, truly electing one of their own.
And, since I've got an upcoming piano recital of my own transcriptions from organ to piano -- I make sure to practice AT LEAST three hours every day, which makes me feel good about life.
H.L. Mencken was a prophet. His quips and barbs correctly predicted the current state of US politics and the politicians who would be in power.
Mark, do you get our https://hoosiersfordemocracy.substack.com/ newsletter?? If not, check it out. We need you!
Just joined!
Welcome!!!! So glad you did! Hope to have a post out this week! Share it with others whom you think would be interested—we have work to do in this bright red state!
I'm glad you didn't abandon the Christian faith altogether. I'm one of those who actually believes what Jesus said: we are called to care for the least of these...
Eight years ago I had a stroke the week before Trump was elected. Today I will certainly take a nap, take my blood pressure meds, and yes, check in with the news…..but also realize that I am not alone, others share my concerns and worries. I fear it will take years to rebuild a sane, tolerant society. But we will get there again.
These are the things I've been doing since before the election. I understand they won't work for everyone, but they might help someone:
- I figured out I was waking up naturally at the time I needed to start work on time, so I stopped using the alarm clock.
- Since I start work at 7 am, I stopped working until 5:30 - 6:00 pm. I don't care if the sky is falling - I am stopping at 4:30 pm.
- I actually got rid of my Fitbit. I realized that feeling depressed and beating myself up for not meeting a step goal was causing me more harm than the good from step tracking. So, I ditched it. Not missing it.
- Started taking vitamin D.
- Beefed up iron and calcium in my diet (pun intended).
- As soon as some of the trails started opening after Hurricane Helene, I started getting myself back out there.
Good for you!!!! Me
Rp going❤️
Thank you John. Reading this I am finally able to cry. I have been afraid that if I started I wouldn’t be able to stop and I really needed this release. Now I am going to go take a long nap before I try to carry on.
Your inherent compassion IS what is missing with this Republican Regime...sigh! I literally pray that MAGA will take itself down with in-fighting...and/or other nations will halt any moves by this current government to step into any sovereign space.
You keep me sane! Thank you for reminding me! I will be back resisting after my nap!
Yep, I worked this morning in organizing a statewide network of resistance, contacted my advocacy network to work on organizing small groups to visit our traitorous and cowardly MAGA loyal Senators and am now going to take a nap. There is a powerful resistance movement(s) emerging— fueled by love and compassion and decency. I will allow that thought to lull me into a late afternoon nap. Thank you for your writing!
And/but…
What can we DO to effectively resist and shift momentum - now?