The last few months have been heavy, after spending some really wonderful weeks abroad. Thanks for writing this post. Sometimes it helps that other people have their difficult days too. And favourite music for those days is a good start - thank you! The first of the youtube song videos is unavailable now sadly. Tracy Chapman always has something soothing. Some days I like instrumental music best when feeling down. Or if I can manage getting stuck into something to do with my hands like cooking or gardening or evening cleaning - the more physical the better (to get out of my mind). Unfortunately I'm not a big sportsperson though...
My three words - responsibility (for our actions), truth, love.
Responsibility because I believe it is important to own ones actions - in these awful troubled times I have found myself using this a lot to explain that we have to take responsibility for not acting (not being on the right side), silence has its consequences. Truth because my moral compass will always look for it and it is my guide and, Love because one must always try to come from a place of love.
I guess that what gets me out of the darkness is to allow myself to sit with it - even if it is painful because in the end things are bigger than me and I will always be ok.
A good book will always help, or doing something for others.
Hello again, Jesse. It's a pleasure as always to read your thoughts though it sounds like there have been some challenges of late. As my favorite gardener once sang, echoing wisdom of the ages, "Sunrise doesn't last all morning
A cloudburst doesn't last all day
Seems my love is up
And has left you with no warning
It's not always gonna be this grey
All things must pass
All things must pass away"
I suppose my three words would be -- empathy -- honesty -- perspective -- though if there are three things I'd like to improve on, they would be -- fortitude -- connection -- equanimity -- (especially in the face of whatever challenges come our way).
What gets me or keeps me out of the muck most often is taking comfort in my responsibilities. I can always accomplish the necessary tasks such as getting the dishes done, taking care of our pets, helping my son get ready for school or picking him up at the end of the day. My wife have spent a lot of evenings lately just talking--She gets anxious more easily than I do so it's helpful for her but also good for me to have that communication, of course. (Communicating here on Substack is helpful for me too! So thanks for that, Jesse. :^)
One last thought: I'd like to believe that the world only appears more mad than ever because we see ourselves more clearly than ever. We see our flaws and our false beliefs and our dissociation from nature, and the madness of the modern human state is a manifestation of our struggle to reconcile how we have lived with how we ought better to live. (There are many ways to live.)
It's very hot here lately. Could do with a little rain.
It's easy to get overwhelmed with what's going on in this country. Best to just use the vote and hope for the best. I admit this is a frightening time in the world.But writers still write and butterflies still capture the imagination and with each new dawn a ray of hope emerges.
So well said Jesse. Also, the layered collage image is stunning. For me, getting outside in the light and fresh air shifts my energy. I also like to be in the water. A swim or a bath is so refreshing and seems to wash away any unwanted vibe. Even sitting near a stream, river or the ocean creates change. Lately, I have been making a garden. Planting a variety of seeds, some vegetables, herbs, flowers, watching things grow. Nature. Oh, and baking some beautiful small boule and sharing them. That's all I have for now. 💗...
Thank you for reaching out. Welcome home to the States. I hope the tour was fun & eventful! Though it’s delightfully sunny & warm here in Minneapolis the rainy day feeling is always not far away.
What a lovely post. I enjoyed the songs, which were all new to me, and I looked up the Substack writers you listed. Thank you so much, and enjoy your week.
I've always liked the idea that Starhawk put forward many years ago, that of 'shaping one's consciousness at will'. Mindfulness, being in the moment ... so for every space of time I spend swimming in the sewers of violent-minded discourse and activities (ie. reading news), I have much larger chunks of time devoted to reading, listening to good music, walking (we have a nice river nearby and a peaceful, large cemetary, as well as parks), watching comedy TV. Musicians have a ready-made consciousness-altering activity at their fingertips. All artists do, actually – I'm also a writer so I often write.
Reading your words Jesse is always genuinely hopeful ! Often feeling alone and saddened by everything that is happening in the world in general and in our lives is overwhelming ! Your substack posts are a reminder that we can change within ourselves and keep faith in one another!
I walk a lot and I’m lucky to live in an area surrounded by nature and stunning natural beauty!
This time of year the woods are full of bluebells and the trees are ever fascinating!
I try not to be too self critical which I find hard and I try not to hang on to past disappointments in myself which is also hard !
Music , words and art always lift my spirits !
Please keep writing and sharing Jesse …..you are so appreciated! Thank you ! 🌻
Painting, dancing, talking and/or writing, and yes soup! All of these help soothe our overwhelmed souls. And reading your words make us know we are not alone. Thank you 🙏💖
It’s is rainy here is upstate New York, which tends to make my mood feel heavy. To pull myself out of the dark thoughts I put out my bird feeders to enjoy the birds. I also write in my journal as much as I can while listening to my iPod. Music is definitely one element that truly moves my thoughts and my soul into the light.
Thank you for this "long branch" - Jesse - it gave me great comfort today. Very centering.
These are withering times - dangerously stressful - you can't turn away from the news, but you have to protect yourself from the toxicity of the all the stress. Stress can cause emotional and physical damage to our all too human selves. Stepping back for self-care is vital. Today has been such a day - time spent reading and lounging with the cats and the dog and listening to an old poet-hero - Dylan - it's his 85th birthday. Probably going to watch a British detective series later (they always comfort). Back to the fray tomorrow.
And 3 words - that are essential values to me - justice, nature and democracy - all are under seige currently.
Thanks again for all the thoughtfulness and inspiration that you bring to this old world.💚
I pray, write and meditate and try to ground myself in simple pleasures to cope with the madness and corruption I see going on, as well as to cope with stuff going on around me. A philosopher friend who also knows a lot about astrononomy and science said we have to think of the big picture such as the whole scientific idea of the black hole and that maybe this chaos is being sucked in to some kind of black hole to create something new.
Like the fall of the Roman Empire something new has to be created.🙏
First thing for me when the influx of bad news gets too much: close Instagram! Also: grab my knitting needles. Occupying my hands gives me the feeling of self-efficacy and is helpful when I feel overwhelmed or helpless. And nature always helps. Touching something that is NOT man-made, like the bark of a tree. Watching wildlife, walking barefoot. 💚
The last few months have been heavy, after spending some really wonderful weeks abroad. Thanks for writing this post. Sometimes it helps that other people have their difficult days too. And favourite music for those days is a good start - thank you! The first of the youtube song videos is unavailable now sadly. Tracy Chapman always has something soothing. Some days I like instrumental music best when feeling down. Or if I can manage getting stuck into something to do with my hands like cooking or gardening or evening cleaning - the more physical the better (to get out of my mind). Unfortunately I'm not a big sportsperson though...
My three words - responsibility (for our actions), truth, love.
Responsibility because I believe it is important to own ones actions - in these awful troubled times I have found myself using this a lot to explain that we have to take responsibility for not acting (not being on the right side), silence has its consequences. Truth because my moral compass will always look for it and it is my guide and, Love because one must always try to come from a place of love.
I guess that what gets me out of the darkness is to allow myself to sit with it - even if it is painful because in the end things are bigger than me and I will always be ok.
A good book will always help, or doing something for others.
Hello again, Jesse. It's a pleasure as always to read your thoughts though it sounds like there have been some challenges of late. As my favorite gardener once sang, echoing wisdom of the ages, "Sunrise doesn't last all morning
A cloudburst doesn't last all day
Seems my love is up
And has left you with no warning
It's not always gonna be this grey
All things must pass
All things must pass away"
I suppose my three words would be -- empathy -- honesty -- perspective -- though if there are three things I'd like to improve on, they would be -- fortitude -- connection -- equanimity -- (especially in the face of whatever challenges come our way).
What gets me or keeps me out of the muck most often is taking comfort in my responsibilities. I can always accomplish the necessary tasks such as getting the dishes done, taking care of our pets, helping my son get ready for school or picking him up at the end of the day. My wife have spent a lot of evenings lately just talking--She gets anxious more easily than I do so it's helpful for her but also good for me to have that communication, of course. (Communicating here on Substack is helpful for me too! So thanks for that, Jesse. :^)
One last thought: I'd like to believe that the world only appears more mad than ever because we see ourselves more clearly than ever. We see our flaws and our false beliefs and our dissociation from nature, and the madness of the modern human state is a manifestation of our struggle to reconcile how we have lived with how we ought better to live. (There are many ways to live.)
It's very hot here lately. Could do with a little rain.
Be well, Jesse. May we all be well.
It's easy to get overwhelmed with what's going on in this country. Best to just use the vote and hope for the best. I admit this is a frightening time in the world.But writers still write and butterflies still capture the imagination and with each new dawn a ray of hope emerges.
So well said Jesse. Also, the layered collage image is stunning. For me, getting outside in the light and fresh air shifts my energy. I also like to be in the water. A swim or a bath is so refreshing and seems to wash away any unwanted vibe. Even sitting near a stream, river or the ocean creates change. Lately, I have been making a garden. Planting a variety of seeds, some vegetables, herbs, flowers, watching things grow. Nature. Oh, and baking some beautiful small boule and sharing them. That's all I have for now. 💗...
Thank you for reaching out. Welcome home to the States. I hope the tour was fun & eventful! Though it’s delightfully sunny & warm here in Minneapolis the rainy day feeling is always not far away.
What a lovely post. I enjoyed the songs, which were all new to me, and I looked up the Substack writers you listed. Thank you so much, and enjoy your week.
I've always liked the idea that Starhawk put forward many years ago, that of 'shaping one's consciousness at will'. Mindfulness, being in the moment ... so for every space of time I spend swimming in the sewers of violent-minded discourse and activities (ie. reading news), I have much larger chunks of time devoted to reading, listening to good music, walking (we have a nice river nearby and a peaceful, large cemetary, as well as parks), watching comedy TV. Musicians have a ready-made consciousness-altering activity at their fingertips. All artists do, actually – I'm also a writer so I often write.
Too much rain, Jesse. How about the newspaper man who said, "I'm Brown from the Sun." Paul.
Reading your words Jesse is always genuinely hopeful ! Often feeling alone and saddened by everything that is happening in the world in general and in our lives is overwhelming ! Your substack posts are a reminder that we can change within ourselves and keep faith in one another!
I walk a lot and I’m lucky to live in an area surrounded by nature and stunning natural beauty!
This time of year the woods are full of bluebells and the trees are ever fascinating!
I try not to be too self critical which I find hard and I try not to hang on to past disappointments in myself which is also hard !
Music , words and art always lift my spirits !
Please keep writing and sharing Jesse …..you are so appreciated! Thank you ! 🌻
Painting, dancing, talking and/or writing, and yes soup! All of these help soothe our overwhelmed souls. And reading your words make us know we are not alone. Thank you 🙏💖
It’s is rainy here is upstate New York, which tends to make my mood feel heavy. To pull myself out of the dark thoughts I put out my bird feeders to enjoy the birds. I also write in my journal as much as I can while listening to my iPod. Music is definitely one element that truly moves my thoughts and my soul into the light.
Thank you for this "long branch" - Jesse - it gave me great comfort today. Very centering.
These are withering times - dangerously stressful - you can't turn away from the news, but you have to protect yourself from the toxicity of the all the stress. Stress can cause emotional and physical damage to our all too human selves. Stepping back for self-care is vital. Today has been such a day - time spent reading and lounging with the cats and the dog and listening to an old poet-hero - Dylan - it's his 85th birthday. Probably going to watch a British detective series later (they always comfort). Back to the fray tomorrow.
And 3 words - that are essential values to me - justice, nature and democracy - all are under seige currently.
Thanks again for all the thoughtfulness and inspiration that you bring to this old world.💚
PS Lee rocks! 🦜
I pray, write and meditate and try to ground myself in simple pleasures to cope with the madness and corruption I see going on, as well as to cope with stuff going on around me. A philosopher friend who also knows a lot about astrononomy and science said we have to think of the big picture such as the whole scientific idea of the black hole and that maybe this chaos is being sucked in to some kind of black hole to create something new.
Like the fall of the Roman Empire something new has to be created.🙏
My words probably are
Connection
Imagination
Peace
but yeah equality is a big one too!
First thing for me when the influx of bad news gets too much: close Instagram! Also: grab my knitting needles. Occupying my hands gives me the feeling of self-efficacy and is helpful when I feel overwhelmed or helpless. And nature always helps. Touching something that is NOT man-made, like the bark of a tree. Watching wildlife, walking barefoot. 💚