I am embracing my existing communities, turning away from much of the toxic news and reading more. Some of what I read is to educate myself on how these kinds of times have been navigated in the past but also fun books and comedy shows. Right now I need to be immunized against MAGA hate and thought. Maybe I can open up more in the days ahead as I take better care of my own heart
Like Denette I too am staying close to my long time communities of friends, my old dog that needs me more, and like minded politicals. I am in a political group that meets twice a month (Indivisible.org). I cut off watching morning news shows and unexpectedly found peace in quiet time. Big step for me. Huge, really! But I will say, we do need to stay somewhat informed about what is happening as hard as it may be. We can’t bow to indifference ie ‘what can I do that will change anything?’ There is always something you can do to help move us forward. Always. Call your congressional reps for starters. I called mine yesterday. It felt good! Stay strong all!
Love it, Anne! Those sound like purposeful and fulfilling communities that you have stepped into. Give your old pup a pet for me. I’ve got one of those too❤️
Hi Anne, I too participate in Indivisible activities and Zoom meetings. It’s a great group and hope it broadens to include social gatherings. Jessica Craven’s Substack makes it easy to contact Senators and House Reps and got me started making calls. As of late I have called other Senators like Joni Ernest. Susan Collins and Alaska Senator are on my list for this week.
I appreciate your openness Dr. Lovely. I too at the gym riding stationary bike listening to a Substack newsletter, flipped my phone over so the title wasn’t seen by people walking by. In general I am a community seeker, especially now that I am retired and have more time and less inhibitions. As I walk down a city park walkway, i toss out comments about the weather or people’s dogs as people walk by. I try to make it easy for people to engage or not. I talk with people who pump gas in my car, a cashier at a store. Somehow I feel a greater liberty to engage with people now that my hair is grey. At a Meetup recently, talking with people about how to make a change in the political-social environment it seemed like we as a democratic people need a jump start. I shared a vision I’ve had over the last year. I’d go to a city park with a few people and just start talking, hold a poster. This morning while preparing to go to a Women’s March Rally, the idea from the night before came together. The Pulse of the People would be a weekly event at a park consisting of a group of people, a folding table, and listening to people who wanted to engage about issues that they care about.
I'm willing to try. I did experience a change on 06Nov2024, when I woke up to learn that something truly catastrophic had occurred, that would almost certainly have massive negative connotations for millions and millions of people. I thought there were more of us and I was, apparently, wrong. But I will try.
I hope everyone here will feel strong enough to openly read what you want in public. You will either meet unexpected allies or learn who your enemies are. Knowledge is power.
I am embracing my existing communities, turning away from much of the toxic news and reading more. Some of what I read is to educate myself on how these kinds of times have been navigated in the past but also fun books and comedy shows. Right now I need to be immunized against MAGA hate and thought. Maybe I can open up more in the days ahead as I take better care of my own heart
Thank you for sharing your insight, Dennette. It sounds like you’re already stretching yourself and healing with community. Thanks for reading!
What an excellent read. Thank you!
Thank you for reading and sharing!
Like Denette I too am staying close to my long time communities of friends, my old dog that needs me more, and like minded politicals. I am in a political group that meets twice a month (Indivisible.org). I cut off watching morning news shows and unexpectedly found peace in quiet time. Big step for me. Huge, really! But I will say, we do need to stay somewhat informed about what is happening as hard as it may be. We can’t bow to indifference ie ‘what can I do that will change anything?’ There is always something you can do to help move us forward. Always. Call your congressional reps for starters. I called mine yesterday. It felt good! Stay strong all!
Love it, Anne! Those sound like purposeful and fulfilling communities that you have stepped into. Give your old pup a pet for me. I’ve got one of those too❤️
Hi Anne, I too participate in Indivisible activities and Zoom meetings. It’s a great group and hope it broadens to include social gatherings. Jessica Craven’s Substack makes it easy to contact Senators and House Reps and got me started making calls. As of late I have called other Senators like Joni Ernest. Susan Collins and Alaska Senator are on my list for this week.
Thanks Suzanne! I will check out Jessica’s Substack. And yes I need to to call Senators outside my own state of WA where every political here is a D!
what can I do? Well, I just shoveled a bunch of snow including part of my neighbor’s walk. He came out to shovel and thanked me. It’s a start. 😎😎
That’s a great start! Thanks for reading, Bob!
Thank you for a good reminder. For those of us that lean introverted to begin with, it's doubly challenging.
Here's my prescription (and I'm not a doctor)
Step away from social media as your main tool of communication with family, friends and your "community".
Instead call them (video and/or voice) and have a real conversation (if you still talk to them, that is...I have had to abandon some*sigh*).
Try to chat with your neighbors (and yes - some of them aren't politically aligned with you and yet, they might be one day soon).
Read a book. Better yet, read a lot of books.
Turn off the cable news channel and the reality shows. Live reality instead.
Take a walk in your neighborhood or a local park.
Greet people.
This may not fix anything but at a minimum it might help distract from the contentiousness in the ether.
“I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.”
Anne Frank
If Anne Frank can believe this, then I can too. (At least work on it).
Eloquently written Stephanie 💙
I appreciate your openness Dr. Lovely. I too at the gym riding stationary bike listening to a Substack newsletter, flipped my phone over so the title wasn’t seen by people walking by. In general I am a community seeker, especially now that I am retired and have more time and less inhibitions. As I walk down a city park walkway, i toss out comments about the weather or people’s dogs as people walk by. I try to make it easy for people to engage or not. I talk with people who pump gas in my car, a cashier at a store. Somehow I feel a greater liberty to engage with people now that my hair is grey. At a Meetup recently, talking with people about how to make a change in the political-social environment it seemed like we as a democratic people need a jump start. I shared a vision I’ve had over the last year. I’d go to a city park with a few people and just start talking, hold a poster. This morning while preparing to go to a Women’s March Rally, the idea from the night before came together. The Pulse of the People would be a weekly event at a park consisting of a group of people, a folding table, and listening to people who wanted to engage about issues that they care about.
Beautiful, thank you for this. A good reminder to be the change we'd like to see.
Very astute writing… keep up the amazing work you do!
Thank you, Bruce!
We are one. No matter what.
Very true. Thank you for reading, Sam!
I'm willing to try. I did experience a change on 06Nov2024, when I woke up to learn that something truly catastrophic had occurred, that would almost certainly have massive negative connotations for millions and millions of people. I thought there were more of us and I was, apparently, wrong. But I will try.
That’s all we can do. Thank you for reading, Barbara.
I hope everyone here will feel strong enough to openly read what you want in public. You will either meet unexpected allies or learn who your enemies are. Knowledge is power.