I try to remain positive. Unfortunately, I'm down. I'm really down. Who isn't?
Of course there is a war taking place that is so critical, so important. If Valdemort is allowed to win the entire world loses. It feels like Star Wars, y'all! And that half of my country with their heads up their asses are whining about the price of gasoline.
There are still people who don't believe in climate change, for crying out loud! These are the things that keep me up at night, worrying on behalf of those who are too shortsighted to worry.
In addition, right now there are a number of "issues" with people I love in my large extended family. A death, legal battles, harsh realities limiting young people's options, unhappiness, struggle, drug addiction, alcoholism, emotional pain. You know what I mean. I'm not the only one. It seems like the more people you have in your life, the more possibilities there are for both great love and crippling heartache.
Empathy! That gut feeling which, left uncontrolled, will lead to compassion, thoughtfulness, and caring. The revelatory fire that increases intelligence, insight, and ties us to our fellow humans.
Opening your heart to love can seem like an act of courage in hard times. It is, but I do so want to be brave.
Sending love your way from my heart to yours. You are brave. I see it. I read it in your words. I feel it your heartfelt compassion about the things that are unfolding on the world stage and in your own family. You are brave. (Thank you for reminding me of this song. I love it.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robin. I love this song, too.
DeleteI love that song so much, haven't seen it in years.
ReplyDeleteAnd life, it surely does require bravery. There seems to be so much suffering right now, more than usual. You're so right, the more people you and know and love, the more suffering and problems there are. I wonder about myself sometimes, if that's why I seem to limit the number of people in my life because there's only so much I can take.
Sending hugs.
Receiving the hugs. Sending some back.
DeleteI hear you Colette. I hear the fear, the despair. We can be afraid together. I believe in the pendulum. I believe in large corrections when eyes are finally opened. I’m hoping for soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I like the pendulum idea, large corrections. I live in hope.
DeleteIt all is so heavy. I know I am lucky but it feels bad and I worry about what is going to happen. HOw long can we be "lucky?" Hmm...
ReplyDeleteThank you for this song!
You are welcome!
Delete"It seems like the more people you have in your life, the more possibilities there are for both great love and crippling heartache."
ReplyDeleteThank you for your honesty. That's so true.
Never heard that song before. It evoked brave tears. May all countries be the land of the free and home of the brave. None of us are up or down all of the time. We can speak out when we are down and be there for each other when we are up. Whether we are up or down, we are all equal and worthy of love. Sending love to you and your loved ones, Colette.
Thank you, my friend.
DeleteI hope Ukraine can hold out against Russia but it is all so tragic and so many are suffering there.
ReplyDeleteIn the US, the Republicans have sided too often with the haters and the liars. What has happened to treat others the way you want to be treated!
I hope for peace and kindness.
I hope for that as well.
DeleteLet there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
ReplyDeleteThe Russian invasion of Ukraine seems like some grotesque horror movie, but it isn't, it's reality and it's ruining thousands of lives and destroying a democratic nation. I sincerely hope the Ukrainians manage to drive the Russians out of their country.
ReplyDeleteAnd how right you are that the more people you have in your life, the more love and heartache. As if the last two years weren't bad enough, now 2022 looks even grimmer.
We are definitely going through a dark historical era. But I try to remind myself that nothing ever stays the same. I'm trying to remember that there is always hope.
DeleteI think we really have no idea about life on our planet, we are just so selfish. But empathy, spread that everywhere.
ReplyDeleteEmpathy seems to be the natural antidote to selfishness. Let's hope it is contagious.
DeleteJournalism's a volatile business; they're always closing down mags, newspapers and TV shows. It's traditional for journos to mark these events with what's called "graveyard" humour (ie, irony rather than whingeing). After some bloody and bone-cracking management decisions at one publisher I worked for I contributed my two-pennorth of response with a suite of short plays called Guildford's Last Launch, in which we scribblers were involved imaginarily in bringing out a mag devoted to funeral directors. Went down well though I say it myself. Gave myself the plum role of the narrator linking the five acts and I've never forgotten the delicious experience of trying INTENTIONALLY to make people laugh - and pulling it off! First and last attempt, for I had other fish to fry. My best wishes from a grandpa to a granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robbie. I'm thinking you meant to post this on my subsequent post? Regardless, your comments are always a pleasure.
DeleteEmpathy indeed has it's rewards and it's challenges... I feel you on it all, I can't add anything to how well you wrote this Post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dawn.
Delete