“If you want to be happy give compassion. If you want others to be happy be compassionate.” The Dali Lama. I view our present situation as war, psychological war, but war nonetheless. Perhaps I have an advantage over many because I served in a real war-was shot at, mortared, rocketed, exhausted and know how strong is the survival instinct. I carry that instinct with me to fight for our democracy because I don’t want to live in a dictatorship run by idiots. Your advice is good, Cass, find something tangible or intangible to do each day to help you keep your center. My other advice is take time, however much you need, to withdraw, rest and regroup. This is the long game. One battle victory is not a war won. I look to the Ukrainians, they are my heroes of stamina and perseverance. I look to the Canadians, who stand up to Trump. I look to the Minnesotans, who are the model of Resistance and am proud that I am one even though I no longer live there. I thank all of you, friends in the Resistance, and I ask you to invite your friends because WE ARE THE RESISTANCE! WE NEVER GIVE UP AND WE NEVER GIVE IN AND WITH MILLIONS LIKE YOU WE WILL WIN! 💪❤️🔥🗽🫶🏼🇺🇸💜
I have discovered something else I can take to the food bank seedlings. Because of where I live I start almost all my garden inside and I usually plant way more that what I am going to transplant to the garden. Our local food banks loves getting my seedlings to give out. Keep up the good work.
Lovely thoughts! Having compassion for others definitely can make us feel better. Of course, we first need to know how it feels to have compassion for ourselves, to be able to share it. So I hope you are cutting yourself a lot of slack these challenging times.
Oh sister, we all do. Years ago, the only time my therapist got angry at me was after the following exchange. I had made an appointment years after finishing therapy:
Therapist: “Why did you wait so long to call me?”
Me: “ I know you’re busy. I thought others would need you more.”
Therapist: glare!
It wasn’t until studying Buddhism that I realized my capacity for true compassion (another topic) was dependent of learning to have compassion for the broken parts of myself. the wonder was, once I started to learn that, I discoverd that it is/was gradually healing some very old wounds. Leaving me with more energy for others.
I agree with your therapy routine of turning your concerns outward to helping others worse off than yourself. Those helped individuals don't need to know who it was exactly who helped them. You are secure in the knowledge of what you did to help... and that's enough recognition in and of itself.
In the mornings, you can look in the mirror and deeply respect the woman who looks back at you. Maybe you didn't do ALL that you could do (maybe you weren't even aware of some of the things you could have done), but at least you did something. And that's not nothing.
I love what you are doing with the post. These are tough times, and what makes it worse is many of our fellow Americans don’t see what Trump and the GOP are actually doing. We will get through it. The next election is going to bring a reckoning and Trump will become a lamer duck at best.
When we compare these times with the civil war, or huge race riots like Tulsa it can give some perspective.
If we look at the entire history of humans we keep moving forward as kinder and less violent. Government and politics help us not resort to violence. Archaeologists digging up old graves find solid evidence that humans were more violent in the past. We are so intelligent we do learn and usually improve.
Be proud you are a solid force for good, you are part of the solution. ❤️
I went to a city council meeting in my small town on Monday. The mayor was adding 2 Proclamations to the agenda. One was to support ANTIFA and the other to support ICE. In my small town, which was a farming community and now has around 30,000 people. One Main St. Yet the government has infiltrated even us. Most of this is because this town has deep religious roots, mostly Apostolic and now a very fundamental Protestant group is buying up storefronts and businesses. So, I felt the need to speak up in protest, as did 60 other residents. Yet, like in federal government, the mayor did not care. He listened to all of our complaints and then proceeded anyway. I am so discouraged. Like you, I don't know how to stop this escalation into hate and lost rights for so many (and soon probably women as well). I hate what this government is trying to ram down our throats. Unlike you, I remember the 50's and they were not great despite what Trump thinks. Brown, black and women (all women regardless of color) had very few rights. Women could not apply for a credit card in their own names or take out a loan. To get a divorce you had to prove infidelity or mental impairment. Birth control was not possible. I personally do not want to go back. Here's hoping people wake up and vote this administration out. It's the only thing we can really do.
We were not terrified. We were ANGRY. It's what the feminist movement was all about. We wanted to be treated equal to men in all ways, not subservient.
You never know, who you might help get up after a setback and keep going, who might otherwise have given up. You don't know what they may achieve with what you've given them.
Because "People have the Power....."! I am a huge Patti Smith fan. She is on Substack. She helped me see the good in Americans after the election of 2024. Saw two of her concerts in Germany last year. "..... to redeem the work of fools." Beautiful song(s), beautiful soul. Just like you, Cass.
“If you want to be happy give compassion. If you want others to be happy be compassionate.” The Dali Lama. I view our present situation as war, psychological war, but war nonetheless. Perhaps I have an advantage over many because I served in a real war-was shot at, mortared, rocketed, exhausted and know how strong is the survival instinct. I carry that instinct with me to fight for our democracy because I don’t want to live in a dictatorship run by idiots. Your advice is good, Cass, find something tangible or intangible to do each day to help you keep your center. My other advice is take time, however much you need, to withdraw, rest and regroup. This is the long game. One battle victory is not a war won. I look to the Ukrainians, they are my heroes of stamina and perseverance. I look to the Canadians, who stand up to Trump. I look to the Minnesotans, who are the model of Resistance and am proud that I am one even though I no longer live there. I thank all of you, friends in the Resistance, and I ask you to invite your friends because WE ARE THE RESISTANCE! WE NEVER GIVE UP AND WE NEVER GIVE IN AND WITH MILLIONS LIKE YOU WE WILL WIN! 💪❤️🔥🗽🫶🏼🇺🇸💜
I have discovered something else I can take to the food bank seedlings. Because of where I live I start almost all my garden inside and I usually plant way more that what I am going to transplant to the garden. Our local food banks loves getting my seedlings to give out. Keep up the good work.
Oh, that's awesome!!
Lovely thoughts! Having compassion for others definitely can make us feel better. Of course, we first need to know how it feels to have compassion for ourselves, to be able to share it. So I hope you are cutting yourself a lot of slack these challenging times.
That is true — I'm trying. I tend to give myself much less compassion than I give to other people.
Oh sister, we all do. Years ago, the only time my therapist got angry at me was after the following exchange. I had made an appointment years after finishing therapy:
Therapist: “Why did you wait so long to call me?”
Me: “ I know you’re busy. I thought others would need you more.”
Therapist: glare!
It wasn’t until studying Buddhism that I realized my capacity for true compassion (another topic) was dependent of learning to have compassion for the broken parts of myself. the wonder was, once I started to learn that, I discoverd that it is/was gradually healing some very old wounds. Leaving me with more energy for others.
Well thought out and beautifully written, Cass.
I agree with your therapy routine of turning your concerns outward to helping others worse off than yourself. Those helped individuals don't need to know who it was exactly who helped them. You are secure in the knowledge of what you did to help... and that's enough recognition in and of itself.
In the mornings, you can look in the mirror and deeply respect the woman who looks back at you. Maybe you didn't do ALL that you could do (maybe you weren't even aware of some of the things you could have done), but at least you did something. And that's not nothing.
I love what you are doing with the post. These are tough times, and what makes it worse is many of our fellow Americans don’t see what Trump and the GOP are actually doing. We will get through it. The next election is going to bring a reckoning and Trump will become a lamer duck at best.
When we compare these times with the civil war, or huge race riots like Tulsa it can give some perspective.
If we look at the entire history of humans we keep moving forward as kinder and less violent. Government and politics help us not resort to violence. Archaeologists digging up old graves find solid evidence that humans were more violent in the past. We are so intelligent we do learn and usually improve.
Be proud you are a solid force for good, you are part of the solution. ❤️
Thank you for this dose of hope and the history that helps put it all into perspective.
I went to a city council meeting in my small town on Monday. The mayor was adding 2 Proclamations to the agenda. One was to support ANTIFA and the other to support ICE. In my small town, which was a farming community and now has around 30,000 people. One Main St. Yet the government has infiltrated even us. Most of this is because this town has deep religious roots, mostly Apostolic and now a very fundamental Protestant group is buying up storefronts and businesses. So, I felt the need to speak up in protest, as did 60 other residents. Yet, like in federal government, the mayor did not care. He listened to all of our complaints and then proceeded anyway. I am so discouraged. Like you, I don't know how to stop this escalation into hate and lost rights for so many (and soon probably women as well). I hate what this government is trying to ram down our throats. Unlike you, I remember the 50's and they were not great despite what Trump thinks. Brown, black and women (all women regardless of color) had very few rights. Women could not apply for a credit card in their own names or take out a loan. To get a divorce you had to prove infidelity or mental impairment. Birth control was not possible. I personally do not want to go back. Here's hoping people wake up and vote this administration out. It's the only thing we can really do.
The possibility of women losing even more rights and going back to those times terrifies me.
We were not terrified. We were ANGRY. It's what the feminist movement was all about. We wanted to be treated equal to men in all ways, not subservient.
Women unite and join the fight! You are more powerful than yiu are imagining! 💪❤️🔥🗽🫶🏼🇺🇸💜
'Every drop counts' as has been wisely quoted previously
Indeed! A good reminder.
You never know, who you might help get up after a setback and keep going, who might otherwise have given up. You don't know what they may achieve with what you've given them.
Excellent post as always! Keep up the good work as I love reading you first thing of the morning!
Thanks, Lori!
Because "People have the Power....."! I am a huge Patti Smith fan. She is on Substack. She helped me see the good in Americans after the election of 2024. Saw two of her concerts in Germany last year. "..... to redeem the work of fools." Beautiful song(s), beautiful soul. Just like you, Cass.
Oh, thank you, Kristin. Patti Smith is so awesome.