Thanks Julie for putting words to the uncertainty and grief that so many of us feel watching the fires in LA and knowing nothing will be done in our country about climate change for at least four more years. And also getting personal, when we all face the incredible losses of people we love. It’s a hard time but we just keep going and fighting for ourselves, others and our children.
I am afraid that all of our goodness and decency will get lost in anger, sadness, and darkness as the new normal for the next 4 years comes closer and closer.
I am concerned as the college process starts full speed ahead that I have not prepared my child for all she is going to take on.
I am worried about the students I work with, as their needs and struggles become all consuming.
Oh that is all so much. Helping other peoples kids while worrying about whether you are well preparing your own while worrying about our sociocultural political context. Thank you for sharing. Sometimes I do wanna say you know what I'm 57 I'm almost done. Not with living but maybe I can just become a hermit you know? Then there's another part of me that's like I'm only 57 I'm nowhere near done I have so much more service inside of me so many more opportunities to be useful to others to try to help make things better.
Your shoulders carry so much. Please carve out time and space to renew yourself each day; it's important to put on your own oxygen mask first.
My fear is the loss of voice on the world stage because everything else fails when we lose our voice at the table. For myself, I focus on what I can do to support those struggling in our community. Building strong roots to flourish again as the environment becomes more welcoming to positive growth. Every one of us can make a difference.
Thank you, Julie. We seem to be programmed to hide our pain and to perpetually aspire in a way that takes us away from it, and ourselves, centrifugally. I don't think it's coincidence that I wrote on this theme a short while ago, and will share that as my contribution: https://whowhatwhy.org/culture/let-me-hurt-and-dont-tell-me-to-hope/. (Fwiw, I also had a line about wanting to sock someone.)
Hi Julie. This was a lovely piece, thank you for this.
I’m afraid that I’ve lost my father and stepmother to all the misinformation raging about. Grief is a tough and strange thing when the people you grieve are still living. I tried my best to be patient, kind and to hear their worries out. I feel like I used moderate resources and thought they were different. Being a trans guy, I was able to have good conversations with them in the past. I thought they supported my community and me but I’m afraid I’ve lost them. What worries me the most is that I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to get them back. Plus trump & co is another terrifying aspect just existing as a trans person these days.
Hi. Your reflection on your relationship with your mom mirrors mine with my mom. It's heart breaking when the foundation for healthy connection was never formed in childhood.
I also grieve the tragedy in California where family and friends and fellow humans live. I hope we can stick together for them and help heal this country after the next 4 years as the new regime does it's damage. Here and around the world the evil is alot.... some days it's too much to take in.
Thanks Julie for putting words to the uncertainty and grief that so many of us feel watching the fires in LA and knowing nothing will be done in our country about climate change for at least four more years. And also getting personal, when we all face the incredible losses of people we love. It’s a hard time but we just keep going and fighting for ourselves, others and our children.
It's a lot right now Kathleen. Sending you love.
I am afraid that all of our goodness and decency will get lost in anger, sadness, and darkness as the new normal for the next 4 years comes closer and closer.
I am concerned as the college process starts full speed ahead that I have not prepared my child for all she is going to take on.
I am worried about the students I work with, as their needs and struggles become all consuming.
Oh that is all so much. Helping other peoples kids while worrying about whether you are well preparing your own while worrying about our sociocultural political context. Thank you for sharing. Sometimes I do wanna say you know what I'm 57 I'm almost done. Not with living but maybe I can just become a hermit you know? Then there's another part of me that's like I'm only 57 I'm nowhere near done I have so much more service inside of me so many more opportunities to be useful to others to try to help make things better.
Your shoulders carry so much. Please carve out time and space to renew yourself each day; it's important to put on your own oxygen mask first.
My fear is the loss of voice on the world stage because everything else fails when we lose our voice at the table. For myself, I focus on what I can do to support those struggling in our community. Building strong roots to flourish again as the environment becomes more welcoming to positive growth. Every one of us can make a difference.
Thank you Mary. I like how you're focusing on what you CAN do. Your optimism is inspiring.
Thank you, Julie. We seem to be programmed to hide our pain and to perpetually aspire in a way that takes us away from it, and ourselves, centrifugally. I don't think it's coincidence that I wrote on this theme a short while ago, and will share that as my contribution: https://whowhatwhy.org/culture/let-me-hurt-and-dont-tell-me-to-hope/. (Fwiw, I also had a line about wanting to sock someone.)
Excited to read this- thanks for sharing 🙏🏽
Hi Julie. This was a lovely piece, thank you for this.
I’m afraid that I’ve lost my father and stepmother to all the misinformation raging about. Grief is a tough and strange thing when the people you grieve are still living. I tried my best to be patient, kind and to hear their worries out. I feel like I used moderate resources and thought they were different. Being a trans guy, I was able to have good conversations with them in the past. I thought they supported my community and me but I’m afraid I’ve lost them. What worries me the most is that I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to get them back. Plus trump & co is another terrifying aspect just existing as a trans person these days.
Hi. Your reflection on your relationship with your mom mirrors mine with my mom. It's heart breaking when the foundation for healthy connection was never formed in childhood.
I also grieve the tragedy in California where family and friends and fellow humans live. I hope we can stick together for them and help heal this country after the next 4 years as the new regime does it's damage. Here and around the world the evil is alot.... some days it's too much to take in.