Doing the work I do, people often comment on my pieces, send me emails, or come up to me after talks saying, “I don’t need to know how bad it is, John.
The Beautiful Mess. John I love the title of your program. This is exactly what you have been writing about. Yes, some unbelievable mess we are in and yes there is anger involved. For me, I am fortunate to work with so many people who are doing their part to "do something", and that is exactly how anger is being actively used and channeled into something beautiful. There is no end to ideas when we brainstorm together. I work for a group of women who were involved as teachers, and social activist their whole lives, and now they are stronger than ever. And yes there as been grieving over all they have worked so hard for is gone, but a new determination, almost a new life has taken hold of them as they write letters, clothe and house immigrants, gather food for our free stores, etc. The beauty amongst the destruction is exactly this.
I signed up for a CSA this coming summer - supporting local agriculture, ensuring food for my table, and all the things we cannot use/consume/preserve will go to two local food banks. It's not a lot, but it will still help. The food banks have seen a significant increase in demand even in the last month. Six new families in the last week.
I have that same kind of feeling like when someone I loved has died, the world just don't stop life goes on and you are left in this sad world with no way to go back to normal. Daily I fight to have hope.
Well said. We have allied with a couple of political action groups, are writing postcards in support of local candidates for the judiciary, given to the local Women's Shelter, marched with 50501, joined the social and environmental groups at church....so far. I also pray, each morning, setting an intention to keep my eyes and heart open, to see what needs to be seen, and deeply perceive its import. I also make comments like this as a way to dialogue with others who are hopefully similarly engaged. Thanks for your efforts, John.
Yes. It can be as simple as looking for immediate needs in your community. In our city in FL, funding was suddenly frozen for refugee resettlement (authorized by Congress!), and 126 fully vetted and legal refugees who had just come here no longer had assistance to cover their first two months rent while they looked for jobs. Our church, and others, partnered with a local non-profit (who matched our money), and in literally a matter of days, we had raised enough to help these families for the next two months. Bloom where you are planted. There are needs EVERYWHERE right now.
"Bloom where you are planted." I haven't heard that advice for a long time. I had a poster in my room as a teen with that saying along with a picture of a flower growing out of a crack in a rock. Such a great metaphor for what's happening right now. We must grow strong and beautiful out of the cracks.
John, this is such a beautiful and timely piece of advice. I would urge your faithful readers to look into a wonderful organization called St Vincent de Paul. We work with our surrounding neighborhoods and neighbors in need. Providing food, funds for utilities and sometimes furniture and supplies for rehabbing their homes. It is comprised of many wonderful volunteers who get more than they give. The time and resources we provide are so appreciated. This mission has changed my life. Thanks again for your words today. I walk in Hope
Thank you for your daily summons to courage and action. Yes, sometimes your posts sting, but only when your words catch on places where fear has frozen me into hiding. My “doing something” has been so far overwhelmed by the scale of what needs doing. In reading you today, I better understand now how to contribute to big results through small but continuous acts of “decency.” Thanks again for telling us that we are not helpless before the awful forces that depend on our believing ourselves helpless.
What to do? Here are a couple of suggestions. First start where you are, wherever that is. It is always easiest for most of us to have an impact, to make a difference locally than far away. Find a local group working on a challenge you care passionately about and join with them in their efforts. Choose a group that is actually working to save and bring relief to victims, not one that is merely parading with signs, not merely whining and commiserating with each other. Think like a medic doing triage, the first thing to do is save the victims who can be saved, then try to stop the harm and damage creating more victims. Working alongside and in the company of others even making small differences will help you feel a sense of accomplishment and sustain your advocacy.
You are correct. We all have the power, skills, and resources to do something. Pick something local. Join with others, and do the work required to make small differences. Lots of small differences are what forms a movement. All movements start locally and by making small differences. Join the movement for change. It did not start only a month ago but has been going on for centuries and will not produce a final victory tomorrow or even in a year or two. There are always more in need and more victims of man’s cruelty and indifference to save. So get to work and do something.
Your point is extremely well taken! It is also supported by German/Hitler history. I am reading a lot about Hitler’s rise to power and how he used it when it was handed to him. His bravado far exceeded his actual political power at first, then when he became Chancellor, he strategically intimidated or sometimes killed or imprisoned any opposition or resistance to his decisions and orders. He effectively, literally “cancelled culture” of resistance. We cannot control Trump and his minions, but we can refuse to be “cancelled” as an instrument of resistance and opposition.
Thank You John for your post today. I’m getting ready to leave to volunteer at our local Feeding America. I had someone share a great NPR “Fresh Air” interview explaining the federal workforce and what is actually happening now, and the consequences it could have for us in the future. Rather than being depressing, I felt very informed by the well articulated conversation. You can listen to it or there is a written transcript included. For anyone interested, here’s the link: https://www.npr.org/2025/02/26/nx-s1-5309756/as-elon-musk-continues-sweeping-cuts-to-the-us-government-people-are-really-scared
Thanks for this reminder. Yesterday I sent an email to my representative asking some pointed questions about his recent votes. It felt good...like I was participating in this thing called representative democracy. I will continue looking for the places where I can do something and then do it.
So right: look, ask, do something. As my weep-mate says, “Do the next loving thing.” Thanks, John.
Weep-mate - perfect
Brilliant!!
The Beautiful Mess. John I love the title of your program. This is exactly what you have been writing about. Yes, some unbelievable mess we are in and yes there is anger involved. For me, I am fortunate to work with so many people who are doing their part to "do something", and that is exactly how anger is being actively used and channeled into something beautiful. There is no end to ideas when we brainstorm together. I work for a group of women who were involved as teachers, and social activist their whole lives, and now they are stronger than ever. And yes there as been grieving over all they have worked so hard for is gone, but a new determination, almost a new life has taken hold of them as they write letters, clothe and house immigrants, gather food for our free stores, etc. The beauty amongst the destruction is exactly this.
I signed up for a CSA this coming summer - supporting local agriculture, ensuring food for my table, and all the things we cannot use/consume/preserve will go to two local food banks. It's not a lot, but it will still help. The food banks have seen a significant increase in demand even in the last month. Six new families in the last week.
I have that same kind of feeling like when someone I loved has died, the world just don't stop life goes on and you are left in this sad world with no way to go back to normal. Daily I fight to have hope.
Just when I think the light you shine can’t get any brighter, it does! And I’m blinded with possibilities, fight and optimism. Keep shining!
Well said. We have allied with a couple of political action groups, are writing postcards in support of local candidates for the judiciary, given to the local Women's Shelter, marched with 50501, joined the social and environmental groups at church....so far. I also pray, each morning, setting an intention to keep my eyes and heart open, to see what needs to be seen, and deeply perceive its import. I also make comments like this as a way to dialogue with others who are hopefully similarly engaged. Thanks for your efforts, John.
Thank you for this very timely piece. Take good care of yourself 💜
Yes. It can be as simple as looking for immediate needs in your community. In our city in FL, funding was suddenly frozen for refugee resettlement (authorized by Congress!), and 126 fully vetted and legal refugees who had just come here no longer had assistance to cover their first two months rent while they looked for jobs. Our church, and others, partnered with a local non-profit (who matched our money), and in literally a matter of days, we had raised enough to help these families for the next two months. Bloom where you are planted. There are needs EVERYWHERE right now.
"Bloom where you are planted." I haven't heard that advice for a long time. I had a poster in my room as a teen with that saying along with a picture of a flower growing out of a crack in a rock. Such a great metaphor for what's happening right now. We must grow strong and beautiful out of the cracks.
John, this is such a beautiful and timely piece of advice. I would urge your faithful readers to look into a wonderful organization called St Vincent de Paul. We work with our surrounding neighborhoods and neighbors in need. Providing food, funds for utilities and sometimes furniture and supplies for rehabbing their homes. It is comprised of many wonderful volunteers who get more than they give. The time and resources we provide are so appreciated. This mission has changed my life. Thanks again for your words today. I walk in Hope
Our local St Vinnies is my favorite charity...and I'm not Catholic. Their work is more important now, than ever. Thank you!
Thank you. We think so as well. Especially during this time.
One thing tht I am doing is to increase the number of organizations to which I make a monthly gift.
Same here! Thank you.
Thank you for your daily summons to courage and action. Yes, sometimes your posts sting, but only when your words catch on places where fear has frozen me into hiding. My “doing something” has been so far overwhelmed by the scale of what needs doing. In reading you today, I better understand now how to contribute to big results through small but continuous acts of “decency.” Thanks again for telling us that we are not helpless before the awful forces that depend on our believing ourselves helpless.
What to do? Here are a couple of suggestions. First start where you are, wherever that is. It is always easiest for most of us to have an impact, to make a difference locally than far away. Find a local group working on a challenge you care passionately about and join with them in their efforts. Choose a group that is actually working to save and bring relief to victims, not one that is merely parading with signs, not merely whining and commiserating with each other. Think like a medic doing triage, the first thing to do is save the victims who can be saved, then try to stop the harm and damage creating more victims. Working alongside and in the company of others even making small differences will help you feel a sense of accomplishment and sustain your advocacy.
You are correct. We all have the power, skills, and resources to do something. Pick something local. Join with others, and do the work required to make small differences. Lots of small differences are what forms a movement. All movements start locally and by making small differences. Join the movement for change. It did not start only a month ago but has been going on for centuries and will not produce a final victory tomorrow or even in a year or two. There are always more in need and more victims of man’s cruelty and indifference to save. So get to work and do something.
Your point is extremely well taken! It is also supported by German/Hitler history. I am reading a lot about Hitler’s rise to power and how he used it when it was handed to him. His bravado far exceeded his actual political power at first, then when he became Chancellor, he strategically intimidated or sometimes killed or imprisoned any opposition or resistance to his decisions and orders. He effectively, literally “cancelled culture” of resistance. We cannot control Trump and his minions, but we can refuse to be “cancelled” as an instrument of resistance and opposition.
Thank You John for your post today. I’m getting ready to leave to volunteer at our local Feeding America. I had someone share a great NPR “Fresh Air” interview explaining the federal workforce and what is actually happening now, and the consequences it could have for us in the future. Rather than being depressing, I felt very informed by the well articulated conversation. You can listen to it or there is a written transcript included. For anyone interested, here’s the link: https://www.npr.org/2025/02/26/nx-s1-5309756/as-elon-musk-continues-sweeping-cuts-to-the-us-government-people-are-really-scared
Thanks for this reminder. Yesterday I sent an email to my representative asking some pointed questions about his recent votes. It felt good...like I was participating in this thing called representative democracy. I will continue looking for the places where I can do something and then do it.