I have felt connected and brought to appreciative tears (& some smiles & laughs) when looking at protest signs by fellow citizens around the country that Robert Hubbell posts each morning. I am beyond grateful for the legal groups working tirelessly for Democracy…. And I’m grateful that Pope Leo is speaking out for immigrants and the poor and boldly saying it is imperative for those claiming to be Christian. I love that my Jewish friend spent Yom Kippur dining at a Palestinian restaurant…. There are signs of joy and hope!
When I feel as if the heaviness of our days will break me, sitting outside on my patio and listening to the birds sing brings me peace and encouragement. Its as if God is using the birds' songs to touch my soul with hope.
I am not a religious person but we live in a very quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of a small town and sitting outside listening to the birds and watching the trees and flowers blow gently in the breeze helps me to forget all the bad stuff that’s going on. Nothing seems any different here.
The realization that connects me to humanity is the fact that:
1. Just as we humans are suffering now — humanity has suffered before. But..
2. Our human species always defeats our oppressors. So there is hope that we will win!
We’re winning everyday, but often times it’s hard to see that. But by remembering this is part of a bigger struggle—and by enjoying the moments in life, we enjoy this wonderful ride we find ourselves in.
I have started a bi-weekly dinner with five other women. I make a pot of soup and offer my home. They bring what they can and we talk and laugh and remember what brings us gratitude. And it is a moment of respite and healing on the journey
A balanced perspective on the totality of life is essential for survival and thriving. If the focus of our lens is too narrow and all we're doing is doom scrolling online, listening to mainstream news & media we ingest only a small perspective on what's really happening. As a Quaker/Buddhist in my spiritual practice, I strive for equanimity. John outlines all the good that surrounds us and our faith tells us that "heaven" is always within us. Continuing to live our lives in loving kindness, peace, justice and compassion for ourselves and others is the ultimate form of resistance against the forces of darkness. Over that, we have complete control. Our examples are Dietrich Bonhoffer, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Sojourner Truth, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa, Alexei Navalny.... They all stood for truth, justice and love and triumphed, some, even in martyrdom. Their memories remain a blessing for us. Be like them!
Lord help me! With all the hatred, greed, and lust for power we see in our nation, with all the blindness, ignorance, and apathy we experience among its citizenry, help me. Please help me to follow your teachings of kindness toward all people. I need your help to not succumb to the welling hatred within me.
I long for a new nation. I can see a reimagined progressive American society based on mutual respect and free from the worship and oppression of money above all.
Thank you, John. I read and share your columns every day. You always eloquently and perfectly express what I am feeling. As a writer myself, I deeply appreciate your wonderful choice of words as you convey your heartfelt messages. Please know you are not alone and there are many, like me, who are right there with you, trying every day to keep going and to find joy despite this soul-shattering situation we are in. May God bless you and give you strength.
The sunrise this morning on Pikes Peak. Stunning. Captivating. It simply melted all the ugliness of the world away for several minutes. I was able to breathe freely for a while after.
I am visiting my kids in Reno and I read Jon’s column this morning. It reminded me that it’s okay to enjoy being fully present to them, enjoying all the things they have planned for us to do together. I will do that in spite of everything going on, and because of everything going on. And seize the joy!
Of course it is okay to enjoy family activities Margaret! We can’t let the evil forces have victory by letting them destroy all that’s worthwhile in life.
Amen to all of this. When you are feeling down, helpless, hopeless, then change what you are doing. Do for someone else. Take a walk. Enjoy nature. Send a card. Unplug and be still. Read a frivolous book. Reengage when you are comfortable to do so. There's no right or wrong or specific time. Be you!
I volunteer at a food pantry, and I get to interact with the most wonderful, gracious people there, as well as helping get quality rescued food into the hands of people who really appreciate it. It’s a win all around!
Yes, still beauty and truth in nature's glory, warm human smiles, magical moments of lyrical music, prayers in the pines, a child's endless grin, and the hope I always see in heaven.
Thank you for your writing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Especially this one. I am mostly hibernating. Cannot take the news. But, you are a glimmer of light and your writing does give me hope. If I were in the vicinity of your congregation, I would absolutely join. Even though I am not a member of any religion. Am sharing.
It seems to me that life by itself has always been hard enough. There are folks who cannot find a job due to so many reasons. There are the patients who are facing a terminal illness. There are husbands and wives that are about to separate after x no. of years of marriage and may eventually divorce. There are parents who have lost children due to disease and/or accidents. The Administration of DJT is harming America and for millions of folks-life is becoming not just harder but practically intolerable. On December 31, 2025-we will really see the fruits of an intolerable Administration. Let us pray that it will not be.
I have felt connected and brought to appreciative tears (& some smiles & laughs) when looking at protest signs by fellow citizens around the country that Robert Hubbell posts each morning. I am beyond grateful for the legal groups working tirelessly for Democracy…. And I’m grateful that Pope Leo is speaking out for immigrants and the poor and boldly saying it is imperative for those claiming to be Christian. I love that my Jewish friend spent Yom Kippur dining at a Palestinian restaurant…. There are signs of joy and hope!
When I feel as if the heaviness of our days will break me, sitting outside on my patio and listening to the birds sing brings me peace and encouragement. Its as if God is using the birds' songs to touch my soul with hope.
I am not a religious person but we live in a very quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of a small town and sitting outside listening to the birds and watching the trees and flowers blow gently in the breeze helps me to forget all the bad stuff that’s going on. Nothing seems any different here.
The realization that connects me to humanity is the fact that:
1. Just as we humans are suffering now — humanity has suffered before. But..
2. Our human species always defeats our oppressors. So there is hope that we will win!
We’re winning everyday, but often times it’s hard to see that. But by remembering this is part of a bigger struggle—and by enjoying the moments in life, we enjoy this wonderful ride we find ourselves in.
Couple of “PS” here:
1. Love the phrase on magical alchemy as I just wrote how we use magic everyday: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/magic-magic-everywhere
2. Our oppressor has used deception to hide the fact that we’re oppressed. Once we see this and can identify the enemy, humanity will revolt again, as we always have: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/humanity-vs-the-deadening-part-two
I have started a bi-weekly dinner with five other women. I make a pot of soup and offer my home. They bring what they can and we talk and laugh and remember what brings us gratitude. And it is a moment of respite and healing on the journey
A balanced perspective on the totality of life is essential for survival and thriving. If the focus of our lens is too narrow and all we're doing is doom scrolling online, listening to mainstream news & media we ingest only a small perspective on what's really happening. As a Quaker/Buddhist in my spiritual practice, I strive for equanimity. John outlines all the good that surrounds us and our faith tells us that "heaven" is always within us. Continuing to live our lives in loving kindness, peace, justice and compassion for ourselves and others is the ultimate form of resistance against the forces of darkness. Over that, we have complete control. Our examples are Dietrich Bonhoffer, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Sojourner Truth, Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, Bishop Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa, Alexei Navalny.... They all stood for truth, justice and love and triumphed, some, even in martyrdom. Their memories remain a blessing for us. Be like them!
Lord help me! With all the hatred, greed, and lust for power we see in our nation, with all the blindness, ignorance, and apathy we experience among its citizenry, help me. Please help me to follow your teachings of kindness toward all people. I need your help to not succumb to the welling hatred within me.
I long for a new nation. I can see a reimagined progressive American society based on mutual respect and free from the worship and oppression of money above all.
Thank you, John. I read and share your columns every day. You always eloquently and perfectly express what I am feeling. As a writer myself, I deeply appreciate your wonderful choice of words as you convey your heartfelt messages. Please know you are not alone and there are many, like me, who are right there with you, trying every day to keep going and to find joy despite this soul-shattering situation we are in. May God bless you and give you strength.
The other night I "magically" timed my evening walk just as the huge orange harvest moon rose. The world still turns and creation still brings joy.
The sunrise this morning on Pikes Peak. Stunning. Captivating. It simply melted all the ugliness of the world away for several minutes. I was able to breathe freely for a while after.
Of course Debbie! Nothing like seeing your surroundings spread out below in a grand vista for putting things into perspective!
I am visiting my kids in Reno and I read Jon’s column this morning. It reminded me that it’s okay to enjoy being fully present to them, enjoying all the things they have planned for us to do together. I will do that in spite of everything going on, and because of everything going on. And seize the joy!
Of course it is okay to enjoy family activities Margaret! We can’t let the evil forces have victory by letting them destroy all that’s worthwhile in life.
Amen to all of this. When you are feeling down, helpless, hopeless, then change what you are doing. Do for someone else. Take a walk. Enjoy nature. Send a card. Unplug and be still. Read a frivolous book. Reengage when you are comfortable to do so. There's no right or wrong or specific time. Be you!
I volunteer at a food pantry, and I get to interact with the most wonderful, gracious people there, as well as helping get quality rescued food into the hands of people who really appreciate it. It’s a win all around!
Thank you. I respect the voices of truth and sanity in these turbulent times.
Yes, still beauty and truth in nature's glory, warm human smiles, magical moments of lyrical music, prayers in the pines, a child's endless grin, and the hope I always see in heaven.
Thank you for your writing. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Especially this one. I am mostly hibernating. Cannot take the news. But, you are a glimmer of light and your writing does give me hope. If I were in the vicinity of your congregation, I would absolutely join. Even though I am not a member of any religion. Am sharing.
It seems to me that life by itself has always been hard enough. There are folks who cannot find a job due to so many reasons. There are the patients who are facing a terminal illness. There are husbands and wives that are about to separate after x no. of years of marriage and may eventually divorce. There are parents who have lost children due to disease and/or accidents. The Administration of DJT is harming America and for millions of folks-life is becoming not just harder but practically intolerable. On December 31, 2025-we will really see the fruits of an intolerable Administration. Let us pray that it will not be.