I was at a protest with about 5,000 others. Our group, Rise Up Singers, used our voices to uplift those present with positive messages in song- Stand Up for Democracy, Lead with Love, We Shall Not Be Moved, Power of Kindness, etc. We received lots of positive comments, enjoyed people singing along. It was very moving. We are singing again this Saturday and inviting others to join in!
At the one I attended, there was one sign that stood out to me. A young Hispanic woman held a sign that said “My parents didn’t sacrifice everything for me to stay silent”. I was proud to be on the same street with her.
I believe our deepest essence as human beings is love and the capacity to do good, promote life, and healing. For me, the problem is that this deep part of our hearts is very vulnerable. People often at an early age become ashamed of it and want to protect it. Sometimes they do this in very aggressive, hateful ways. But there are so many ways to promote loving relations: heartfelt conversations, meditation, practicing art, nonviolent protest, showing kindness in many little ways.
On 6/14 I was visiting Seattle. It would have been wonderful to have been able to attend a No Kings rally in a blue state with kindred spirits. But I was instead bonding with and babysitting for our grand niece, Rae, and her brother Eddie, whose mother had a stroke when she was born 6 months ago. Her mother is paralyzed on her left side. It is almost unimaginable the hardship of this for our beloved nephew/godson James who is navigating a life with so much responsibility. But he is like an octopus caring for his family. He is the kindest, gentlest, strongest, and most loving soul, I know. Their tribe of friends and family who lovingly embrace them, shifts the balance from darkness into light.
"Every act of love shifts the balance towards the light." This statement encourages me much as it feels at times as though darkness will prevail. There were so many acts of love in a single 3 hour time span on Saturday at my local No Kings rally. Multiply that by the number of protests talking place and wow! Love can shift the balance! I know I can't change people's minds, but I can be a bearer of light. That is a responsibility and a gift. Quick about out for the Cincinnati police. Most were on bicycles, watching, discreet, and professional.
Truly this example (your sharing of joining in No Kings Day) points to the innate goodness imbedded inside the human heart. Called by many names-The Christ Consciousness/Buddha Nature/The Immortal Diamond/Basic Goodness and my personal favourite from Matthew Fox-Original Blessing-our very nature is expressed in acts of lovingkindness, compassion, service to others and resistance to the darkness.
The shadow side of humans often gets more attention. It is so drama filled and tribal in content. Unlike the Imago Dei (God Within) where it is peace filled and community based. Shadows exist and wilful avoidance breeds the poisons of greed and lust and aggression.
It was years ago when broken down by my shadow and avoidance of accountability that God's grace came. That moment was a seed that has been watered every since that dark night of the soul took me to surrender. And it is a daily surrender as this small self ego is very stubborn:)
Goodness will prevail. John Lennon's song "Imagine" is the perfect capture of the vision of goodness in our world.
"You may say I'm a dreamer....but I'm not the only one...I hope someday you'll join us...and the world will live as one."
I have heard and read many times that it is human nature to be cruel, aggressive and violent. I don’t know if I don’t believe that because it’s untrue, or if I simply can’t or won’t believe it. I absolutely believe in the goodness of every human being. Humans get lost, confused, misguided, etc., but I believe at our core we are good. In my early 20s I worked with babies and toddlers and I had a mentor who taught me one of the most important things I’ve ever learned: There are no bad children, just good children who make mistakes. A year later I was pregnant with my first of four children and I believe with all my heart that it made a huge impact on how I understood and raised my children. We hold up figures like Jesus, Gandhi, Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, and so many others for a reason. Healthy people don’t revere Hitler, or Stalin, or Putin, or Mussolini. I learned many years ago that emotionally healthy people have no need to hurt another, and also when someone does something mean it’s because they are hurting inside. I have found that to be absolutely true about myself. I know when all is well with my mind and my soul because I can only live from a state of love and acceptance. When my heart becomes constricted from pain, that’s when I get lost and want to hurt, even if only in my thoughts.
I believe that love is the highest purpose and path we can choose. Our world could be so different if we believed, lived, and taught/modeled it. I know full well how difficult that would be. And in the most difficult of times, we need others to be beside us, and help us follow the path of love. It’s just a dream. And yes, stories! I appreciate your reminder that “we need to tell the stories of those wins, those times when we came together in love and solidarity for the common good and better world.”
Yes, my wife & I experienced some examples of what a good neighbor can be: That neighbor gave her entire day to drive us to El Paso yesterday for an operation on my wife's hand, and after delivering us to our front door last evening, later on brought us some tasty food, and asked if there was anything else she could do. Later in the day she gave us a beautiful 1/2 watermelon.
Today, she offered us some ice cream sandwiches, which we can get after she takes her brother, who is staying with her, to rehab. We have never had a better neighbor!!! (Seems she is a pretty good sister, too!)
I love the post and news from the peaceful protest. So many huge peaceful protests around our nation. This made me so proud to be an American.
I do not believe hatred is natural. It is taught. I believe this energy causes illness. It is not a natural state, but a lower vibe that causes harm. Love, kindness, inclusion- on the other hand expands our hearts and promotes health. Research has shown that optimism vs pessimism in chronic illness - when controlled for other factors- consistently promotes better outcomes in recovery. I believe this is the more natural and healthy human state.
We didn’t protest- but celebrated our son as he graduated from high school. A young man who typically avoids being in the spotlight- beamed joy in recognition of his work and achievement both at the graduation and at home in the celebration that followed.
I will look to the next opportunity to be present for my nation. So happy to see the pics from your day and so many others from around the nation.
Thank you Amy…I think it’s so important to fact check our assumptions about things and the kind of research you are talking about really helps. Love and kindness and inclusion actually helps us to feel better and be healthier.
And many congratulations on your son graduating from High School! This is such an important time and threshold. How wonderful that he has parents who love him so fully and deeply, support his next becoming with their whole hearts!
Some of my friends are huge MAGA supporters. From conversations I've had with them, it's clear that they are not supporters of LGBTQ+ issues, seriously anti-choice and fearful of immigrants who are not white. But they do a tremendous amount of good work around the community like volunteer firefighting, and charitable work to support schools in Africa. And when I've needed a hand, they were eager to respond. I don't think this is unusual. I wish they could open up a little to some of the issues that are important to me. I'll bet they wish I could be more open to some of the issues that are important to them. If only we could have a long conversation about important things without getting triggered. But we'd have to be willing shed the certainty that we're correct, and that would be really hard.
I know this is a difficult issue for many of us right now. It takes a great deal of love and compassion to stay in relationship and conversation. But I am finding it harder to call hateful action as anything other than hateful action. Supporting policies that treat other humans as lesser humans cannot be called anything but hateful and unloving (even if misguided) behavior. My friend Parker Palmer often talks about finding ways to speak our truth in ways that might still be heard, to turn to wonder and listen to the story with an open heart. But he also talks about walking away from conversations that have to begin at a starting point that offends and hurts him…like there is a superior sex, superior race, a superior religion or that some people are less than fully human and less deserving respect and dignity. I’ve given myself permission to not engage in conversations that I have to start at such places…Im choosing to not give those ideas air or honor them as having validity. It’s hard…it really is. And it will go person by person and relationship by relationship on how we navigate.
What we do is talk about family, food and birds, and avoid things that can be triggering. I feel like staying in relationship and being as kind as I can be is a way of widening our circles of caring.
I was at a protest with about 5,000 others. Our group, Rise Up Singers, used our voices to uplift those present with positive messages in song- Stand Up for Democracy, Lead with Love, We Shall Not Be Moved, Power of Kindness, etc. We received lots of positive comments, enjoyed people singing along. It was very moving. We are singing again this Saturday and inviting others to join in!
At the one I attended, there was one sign that stood out to me. A young Hispanic woman held a sign that said “My parents didn’t sacrifice everything for me to stay silent”. I was proud to be on the same street with her.
Carrie,
The light at the end of the tunnel starts with you! Thanks for your leadership.
Now we must encourage each other to add more light and carry us out of darkness.
Thanks for your example and your love.
I believe our deepest essence as human beings is love and the capacity to do good, promote life, and healing. For me, the problem is that this deep part of our hearts is very vulnerable. People often at an early age become ashamed of it and want to protect it. Sometimes they do this in very aggressive, hateful ways. But there are so many ways to promote loving relations: heartfelt conversations, meditation, practicing art, nonviolent protest, showing kindness in many little ways.
On 6/14 I was visiting Seattle. It would have been wonderful to have been able to attend a No Kings rally in a blue state with kindred spirits. But I was instead bonding with and babysitting for our grand niece, Rae, and her brother Eddie, whose mother had a stroke when she was born 6 months ago. Her mother is paralyzed on her left side. It is almost unimaginable the hardship of this for our beloved nephew/godson James who is navigating a life with so much responsibility. But he is like an octopus caring for his family. He is the kindest, gentlest, strongest, and most loving soul, I know. Their tribe of friends and family who lovingly embrace them, shifts the balance from darkness into light.
Amen and blessings to your family!
"Every act of love shifts the balance towards the light." This statement encourages me much as it feels at times as though darkness will prevail. There were so many acts of love in a single 3 hour time span on Saturday at my local No Kings rally. Multiply that by the number of protests talking place and wow! Love can shift the balance! I know I can't change people's minds, but I can be a bearer of light. That is a responsibility and a gift. Quick about out for the Cincinnati police. Most were on bicycles, watching, discreet, and professional.
Every thought, deed counts,
the cruel, the compassionate.
There’s strength in numbers.
Truly this example (your sharing of joining in No Kings Day) points to the innate goodness imbedded inside the human heart. Called by many names-The Christ Consciousness/Buddha Nature/The Immortal Diamond/Basic Goodness and my personal favourite from Matthew Fox-Original Blessing-our very nature is expressed in acts of lovingkindness, compassion, service to others and resistance to the darkness.
The shadow side of humans often gets more attention. It is so drama filled and tribal in content. Unlike the Imago Dei (God Within) where it is peace filled and community based. Shadows exist and wilful avoidance breeds the poisons of greed and lust and aggression.
It was years ago when broken down by my shadow and avoidance of accountability that God's grace came. That moment was a seed that has been watered every since that dark night of the soul took me to surrender. And it is a daily surrender as this small self ego is very stubborn:)
Goodness will prevail. John Lennon's song "Imagine" is the perfect capture of the vision of goodness in our world.
"You may say I'm a dreamer....but I'm not the only one...I hope someday you'll join us...and the world will live as one."
There can be joy in Muddville today
To what degree is up to all of us
If we allow the mud of discontent to settle
and we realize that being in a fine fettle
can happen when we make up our mind
to rediscover the happiness inside of us
where it has always lived
waiting for us to take off its covering
and rediscovering and see
who we are meant to be
So, let’s do this thing
and it will be done
when we rejoin, the all that is
that we never left
but just thought we did
We can change our minds
Oh, thank you, Carrie…
I have heard and read many times that it is human nature to be cruel, aggressive and violent. I don’t know if I don’t believe that because it’s untrue, or if I simply can’t or won’t believe it. I absolutely believe in the goodness of every human being. Humans get lost, confused, misguided, etc., but I believe at our core we are good. In my early 20s I worked with babies and toddlers and I had a mentor who taught me one of the most important things I’ve ever learned: There are no bad children, just good children who make mistakes. A year later I was pregnant with my first of four children and I believe with all my heart that it made a huge impact on how I understood and raised my children. We hold up figures like Jesus, Gandhi, Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Mother Teresa, Dorothy Day, and so many others for a reason. Healthy people don’t revere Hitler, or Stalin, or Putin, or Mussolini. I learned many years ago that emotionally healthy people have no need to hurt another, and also when someone does something mean it’s because they are hurting inside. I have found that to be absolutely true about myself. I know when all is well with my mind and my soul because I can only live from a state of love and acceptance. When my heart becomes constricted from pain, that’s when I get lost and want to hurt, even if only in my thoughts.
I believe that love is the highest purpose and path we can choose. Our world could be so different if we believed, lived, and taught/modeled it. I know full well how difficult that would be. And in the most difficult of times, we need others to be beside us, and help us follow the path of love. It’s just a dream. And yes, stories! I appreciate your reminder that “we need to tell the stories of those wins, those times when we came together in love and solidarity for the common good and better world.”
Beautiful post, Carrie!
Yes, my wife & I experienced some examples of what a good neighbor can be: That neighbor gave her entire day to drive us to El Paso yesterday for an operation on my wife's hand, and after delivering us to our front door last evening, later on brought us some tasty food, and asked if there was anything else she could do. Later in the day she gave us a beautiful 1/2 watermelon.
Today, she offered us some ice cream sandwiches, which we can get after she takes her brother, who is staying with her, to rehab. We have never had a better neighbor!!! (Seems she is a pretty good sister, too!)
Love 💕 Parker Palmers words that speak truth. Your words are the music of Love 💕
Yes, Carrie, yes! We are made to be love and have to be taught hate. So, let’s go with what makes us feel good. Much love and hugs to all of you!
I love the post and news from the peaceful protest. So many huge peaceful protests around our nation. This made me so proud to be an American.
I do not believe hatred is natural. It is taught. I believe this energy causes illness. It is not a natural state, but a lower vibe that causes harm. Love, kindness, inclusion- on the other hand expands our hearts and promotes health. Research has shown that optimism vs pessimism in chronic illness - when controlled for other factors- consistently promotes better outcomes in recovery. I believe this is the more natural and healthy human state.
We didn’t protest- but celebrated our son as he graduated from high school. A young man who typically avoids being in the spotlight- beamed joy in recognition of his work and achievement both at the graduation and at home in the celebration that followed.
I will look to the next opportunity to be present for my nation. So happy to see the pics from your day and so many others from around the nation.
We ARE many - and we are strong with love!
Thank you Amy…I think it’s so important to fact check our assumptions about things and the kind of research you are talking about really helps. Love and kindness and inclusion actually helps us to feel better and be healthier.
And many congratulations on your son graduating from High School! This is such an important time and threshold. How wonderful that he has parents who love him so fully and deeply, support his next becoming with their whole hearts!
Some of my friends are huge MAGA supporters. From conversations I've had with them, it's clear that they are not supporters of LGBTQ+ issues, seriously anti-choice and fearful of immigrants who are not white. But they do a tremendous amount of good work around the community like volunteer firefighting, and charitable work to support schools in Africa. And when I've needed a hand, they were eager to respond. I don't think this is unusual. I wish they could open up a little to some of the issues that are important to me. I'll bet they wish I could be more open to some of the issues that are important to them. If only we could have a long conversation about important things without getting triggered. But we'd have to be willing shed the certainty that we're correct, and that would be really hard.
I know this is a difficult issue for many of us right now. It takes a great deal of love and compassion to stay in relationship and conversation. But I am finding it harder to call hateful action as anything other than hateful action. Supporting policies that treat other humans as lesser humans cannot be called anything but hateful and unloving (even if misguided) behavior. My friend Parker Palmer often talks about finding ways to speak our truth in ways that might still be heard, to turn to wonder and listen to the story with an open heart. But he also talks about walking away from conversations that have to begin at a starting point that offends and hurts him…like there is a superior sex, superior race, a superior religion or that some people are less than fully human and less deserving respect and dignity. I’ve given myself permission to not engage in conversations that I have to start at such places…Im choosing to not give those ideas air or honor them as having validity. It’s hard…it really is. And it will go person by person and relationship by relationship on how we navigate.
What we do is talk about family, food and birds, and avoid things that can be triggering. I feel like staying in relationship and being as kind as I can be is a way of widening our circles of caring.