I hear you. But who are you speaking to? I think there is a part of the country desperately trying to carry us forward into a kinder future. (I see you in this group.) I guess I don’t understand why you are implying that it’s too late. It may be too late to salvage end stage Capitalism. That may definitely be true. It may be too late to change minds that think the Civil War should have ended differently, and are still passing this message down to their descendants. It may be too late for religions who have forgotten the basic tenets of their prophets. What I see is a country (and world) being forced to step into greater maturity. Enough of this superficial chasing of status and material possessions. Enough of the mudslinging and online distractions. It’s time to rebuild our neighborhoods, and emerge from isolation behind our “screens” to become a full functioning member of our communities. Grow fruit and vegetables… Share tools… Teach skills to our youth… Offer a ride to the store or the doctor’s… Bring food to a shut in… Learn each other’s names… Host potlucks… Lend a hand.
I believe change is coming. No, not tomorrow. In fact, it will probably look messier in the next 3 months. But if we step forward—each of us—to help our communities and each other, positive change is possible.
Thank you for your beautiful comment. I agree wholeheartedly, and I see those in my community with the same beliefs….i guess we’ll meet in the circle. I remain hopeful…
I was grateful for this piece when I first read it, and decided to re-read it today. Sometime in that interim, I woke up one morning with the startling realization that I had given up hope- hope that we wouldn't experience collapse on so very many fronts and probably at the same time. Oddly- and especially oddly for me given my depressive tendencies- I felt lighter. The mission is now clear: Hold onto others and do my best. That's all that is required.
I do still have grief, but it is for my grandchildren and also the animals, who did nothing to deserve this.
I hear you. But who are you speaking to? I think there is a part of the country desperately trying to carry us forward into a kinder future. (I see you in this group.) I guess I don’t understand why you are implying that it’s too late. It may be too late to salvage end stage Capitalism. That may definitely be true. It may be too late to change minds that think the Civil War should have ended differently, and are still passing this message down to their descendants. It may be too late for religions who have forgotten the basic tenets of their prophets. What I see is a country (and world) being forced to step into greater maturity. Enough of this superficial chasing of status and material possessions. Enough of the mudslinging and online distractions. It’s time to rebuild our neighborhoods, and emerge from isolation behind our “screens” to become a full functioning member of our communities. Grow fruit and vegetables… Share tools… Teach skills to our youth… Offer a ride to the store or the doctor’s… Bring food to a shut in… Learn each other’s names… Host potlucks… Lend a hand.
I believe change is coming. No, not tomorrow. In fact, it will probably look messier in the next 3 months. But if we step forward—each of us—to help our communities and each other, positive change is possible.
Thank you for your beautiful comment. I agree wholeheartedly, and I see those in my community with the same beliefs….i guess we’ll meet in the circle. I remain hopeful…
Thank you
I was grateful for this piece when I first read it, and decided to re-read it today. Sometime in that interim, I woke up one morning with the startling realization that I had given up hope- hope that we wouldn't experience collapse on so very many fronts and probably at the same time. Oddly- and especially oddly for me given my depressive tendencies- I felt lighter. The mission is now clear: Hold onto others and do my best. That's all that is required.
I do still have grief, but it is for my grandchildren and also the animals, who did nothing to deserve this.