I saw it in 2016, I saw all the ugliness and realized that as a country we had not come as far as I had thought. I warned through all the years, and still.
Incredible piece on the burden of forsight. That parallel between personal failure feelings and our unconcious minds trying to protect civilzation is something I hadn't thought about before. Honestly felt this exact spiral last week when trying to explain macro risks to colleagues who just wanted to talk about their portfolios. The part about futility being built into the work but doing it anyway kinda reframes everything tbh.
Your heart has always been centered in truth and understanding, Umair. You have led without the need to be asked. Those of us who have walked beside you for years know that you are not a failure. Neither are we. Sometimes life presents a fork in the road and leaves us wondering which direction to trust.
Some of us use intuition to navigate this unknown, while others choose safety in numbers, secure in their choice because the majority of their fellow travelers are comfortable taking the road most traveled.
Failure should not reside in your mind or heart. You have given all you know and feel to all of us and asked nothing in return. I’m just glad you still invite us to sit by the fire with you.
You think building a life boat to save some of the people on the sinking ship is a failure? I don't.
The life boats need to carry us into the future instead of running onto the rocks and sinking as well. We do what we can right now, and when we can do more, we will. Adapt and grow.
As a side note, I stumbled upon Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, written in 1993 and 1998 by Octavia E Butler, for the first time a few months ago in the library. The story was striking in its portrayal of pretty much what is happening now, but I was most taken with the philosophy of Change. It gave me a whole new way to think about Change when I needed it, and provided a framework to cope with major changes in my own life.
If you are unfamiliar with the books, I would recommend that you take a look at them, with an eye toward putting things into perspective. If you are familiar with the books, rereading them in the current times may give you a different experience since you are a different person now.
Spoken as if from my own soul. The pain is acute, pervasive, truth. Yet here we are, alive in a body. Conscious. In my experience, when we learn to abide in awareness of the interdependence of all sentient beings, a path appears. The Middle Way of Mahayana Buddhism. If I am destined to suffer in this life, this specific pain, then let it accomplish something. If you are lucky enough to meet a qualified teacher, learn the LoJong. Meet with fellow path walkers, from time to time. Be in community.
Thank you for all your writing. And yes, I am one of them also. But it hasn't helped at all. In Swedish we have a fantastic word for the emotional experience of all this - "vemod". Vemod is my life companion.
Yes, it has been lonely. But no failure. We're all just trying the best we can. I'm really looking forward to the launch of Havens and was very encouraged during the meeting we had online together.
Good man: all the very best to you in your endeavours. We do not laugh at you. You give us hope and the option of self-education.
(You should know that I follow you because I asked a friend down at our local organic store in small town Australia who they read, who writes well on the uh, US situation. ). Good luck with the stress and self doubt- but I want to tell you that you’re appreciated.
You and we didn't fail. We did all we could to warn and enlighten. We aren't responsible for other's actions or lack thereof. We did our duty to warn that we undertook as "Cassandras." Rest easy, my friends. That work is done.
Didn't Jesus say that a prophet is not at home in his own country?
Even though it's often crowded with people rushing up to snap a selfie with him (!!!) and I am in their way because I am standing there so long just looking at the painting.
To really feel connected with an artist across time and cultures is a gift of belonging.
Thank you for your writing and thoughts always. I saw this in 2016 and feared for my girls and the world, so I hear you. I am used to my role as Cassandra and accept it, though resent it at times. Maybe another way to view your role is not as the captain of the Titanic, trying to course-correct impossibly, as you are NOT that person that put this ship on this path. You are the honourable crew guiding all people who will listen to life rafts to have a chance at surviving a coming tragedy. You have been steadfast and unwavering in that, and I am deeply grateful.
It has been lonely, indeed.
I saw it coming since 2018 and immediately left the country. The writing was all over back then. I am surprised people did not see it.
I saw it in 2016, I saw all the ugliness and realized that as a country we had not come as far as I had thought. I warned through all the years, and still.
Incredible piece on the burden of forsight. That parallel between personal failure feelings and our unconcious minds trying to protect civilzation is something I hadn't thought about before. Honestly felt this exact spiral last week when trying to explain macro risks to colleagues who just wanted to talk about their portfolios. The part about futility being built into the work but doing it anyway kinda reframes everything tbh.
Your heart has always been centered in truth and understanding, Umair. You have led without the need to be asked. Those of us who have walked beside you for years know that you are not a failure. Neither are we. Sometimes life presents a fork in the road and leaves us wondering which direction to trust.
Some of us use intuition to navigate this unknown, while others choose safety in numbers, secure in their choice because the majority of their fellow travelers are comfortable taking the road most traveled.
Failure should not reside in your mind or heart. You have given all you know and feel to all of us and asked nothing in return. I’m just glad you still invite us to sit by the fire with you.
You think building a life boat to save some of the people on the sinking ship is a failure? I don't.
The life boats need to carry us into the future instead of running onto the rocks and sinking as well. We do what we can right now, and when we can do more, we will. Adapt and grow.
Get back to working on Havens.
As a side note, I stumbled upon Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents, written in 1993 and 1998 by Octavia E Butler, for the first time a few months ago in the library. The story was striking in its portrayal of pretty much what is happening now, but I was most taken with the philosophy of Change. It gave me a whole new way to think about Change when I needed it, and provided a framework to cope with major changes in my own life.
If you are unfamiliar with the books, I would recommend that you take a look at them, with an eye toward putting things into perspective. If you are familiar with the books, rereading them in the current times may give you a different experience since you are a different person now.
Spoken as if from my own soul. The pain is acute, pervasive, truth. Yet here we are, alive in a body. Conscious. In my experience, when we learn to abide in awareness of the interdependence of all sentient beings, a path appears. The Middle Way of Mahayana Buddhism. If I am destined to suffer in this life, this specific pain, then let it accomplish something. If you are lucky enough to meet a qualified teacher, learn the LoJong. Meet with fellow path walkers, from time to time. Be in community.
Thank you for all your writing. And yes, I am one of them also. But it hasn't helped at all. In Swedish we have a fantastic word for the emotional experience of all this - "vemod". Vemod is my life companion.
You are not a faliure when others are not willing to hear. Willing to listen. Or deny any conversation necessary.
Yes, it has been lonely. But no failure. We're all just trying the best we can. I'm really looking forward to the launch of Havens and was very encouraged during the meeting we had online together.
Good man: all the very best to you in your endeavours. We do not laugh at you. You give us hope and the option of self-education.
(You should know that I follow you because I asked a friend down at our local organic store in small town Australia who they read, who writes well on the uh, US situation. ). Good luck with the stress and self doubt- but I want to tell you that you’re appreciated.
You and we didn't fail. We did all we could to warn and enlighten. We aren't responsible for other's actions or lack thereof. We did our duty to warn that we undertook as "Cassandras." Rest easy, my friends. That work is done.
Didn't Jesus say that a prophet is not at home in his own country?
Wetiko and the Maximum Power Principle. Conditioned belief in human supremacy. Overshoot. We‘re in a predicament.
Thank you for helping me feel a little less lonely and like a failure.
Every time you mention the artist - our role, how our unconscious is different...is balm on my soul.
New subscriber to your work and Havens, and am so glad you showed up in my feed.
I often walk over to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris to stare into Van Gogh's Self-Portrait - thought to possibly be his last: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-portrait_(van_Gogh,_Paris)
Even though it's often crowded with people rushing up to snap a selfie with him (!!!) and I am in their way because I am standing there so long just looking at the painting.
To really feel connected with an artist across time and cultures is a gift of belonging.
Thank you for your writing and thoughts always. I saw this in 2016 and feared for my girls and the world, so I hear you. I am used to my role as Cassandra and accept it, though resent it at times. Maybe another way to view your role is not as the captain of the Titanic, trying to course-correct impossibly, as you are NOT that person that put this ship on this path. You are the honourable crew guiding all people who will listen to life rafts to have a chance at surviving a coming tragedy. You have been steadfast and unwavering in that, and I am deeply grateful.
An article filled with prescience and insight, topped off with a message of hope. Thanks Umair.
Like a biblical prophet.