Thanks for the encouragement and reminders. I agree! Although voting in the national election matters, what matters most is what we do on an everyday basis. Positive change is a work in progress and it's up to us.
Thank you Maia for your infusion of and encouragement to seek hope. Your focus on local action brings back a bumper sticker admonition: Think globally. Act locally. For me to hold a hopeful outlook for the world is a stretch in the face of so many conflicts the world over. I have to remember the exhortation: What a shame to do nothing because we can’t do everything. A solid argument for local action. This saying is attributed to Socrates: The life unexamined is not worth living. So, even more, this feels like a time for more self examination and new practices. The risk of being forced to drink hemlock is more than a strong admonition. Figuratively speaking. 🙏🏽
Ah yes, I remember that bumper sticker! That was a good one.
And I agree -- the biggest 'sin' right now would be to surrender to a feeling of powerlessness and not do anything. We may need time to grieve and process through a lot of emotions right now. But it's good to stay open to the actions that call to our heart, and also learn from each other.
I'm not a US citizen but policies in the US in many ways affects the whole world and so the right leadership matters alot, and it helps alot to remind ourselves what really matters most like you've pointed out about care and support for fellow human beings at the grassroots level throughout, lovely reminder there, Maia.
yes, exactly! Leaders are everywhere, not only in politics. I want to do everything I can to support visionaries like these folks in all kinds of fields.
As happens most often when I read your work, I received great reminders of how to be in this time. I especially appreciated information about beings in the process of making the world better for all of us. I would add to the list of visionaries: Rebeca Solnit whose writings always remind me of our possibilities.
So beautiful and timely, Maia. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I agree wholeheartedly (have updated some beliefs very recently and received this in right timing). I especially appreciate your thoughts on the grass roots, community care, mutual aid side and look forward to deepening my attention and intention in these spaces in the next season of life, as we navigate realities on the ground. Beautiful balance in this piece. Thank you.
This is so wonderfully hopeful and uplifting, Maia! I too believe that the world is a benevolent place.
I had never heard that quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi about resources for all. I really like that. I’m writing it down!
And that is such a helpful reminder; for all the national election hype, it is at the local level where we can make the most change, and where the most change is made.
Thank you for linking my post, Maia. I’m honored. 🙏💚
I have to say I was a bit conflicted about writing that piece about the world being a benevolent place. I actually really do believe that, almost to the point where I think it’s a fact, not an opinion 🤣 but then again, perhaps that’s just wishful thinking. That’s probably worth a whole essay in itself!u
Yes to all of this Maia!! I would add Terry Tempest Williams, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Katharine K. Wilkinson 💧💦🩵🌱🌿💚
those are great additions -- I know of Terry and Robin, I'll have to look up Katharine.
Thanks for the encouragement and reminders. I agree! Although voting in the national election matters, what matters most is what we do on an everyday basis. Positive change is a work in progress and it's up to us.
Thank you Maia for your infusion of and encouragement to seek hope. Your focus on local action brings back a bumper sticker admonition: Think globally. Act locally. For me to hold a hopeful outlook for the world is a stretch in the face of so many conflicts the world over. I have to remember the exhortation: What a shame to do nothing because we can’t do everything. A solid argument for local action. This saying is attributed to Socrates: The life unexamined is not worth living. So, even more, this feels like a time for more self examination and new practices. The risk of being forced to drink hemlock is more than a strong admonition. Figuratively speaking. 🙏🏽
Ah yes, I remember that bumper sticker! That was a good one.
And I agree -- the biggest 'sin' right now would be to surrender to a feeling of powerlessness and not do anything. We may need time to grieve and process through a lot of emotions right now. But it's good to stay open to the actions that call to our heart, and also learn from each other.
I'm not a US citizen but policies in the US in many ways affects the whole world and so the right leadership matters alot, and it helps alot to remind ourselves what really matters most like you've pointed out about care and support for fellow human beings at the grassroots level throughout, lovely reminder there, Maia.
yes, exactly! Leaders are everywhere, not only in politics. I want to do everything I can to support visionaries like these folks in all kinds of fields.
As happens most often when I read your work, I received great reminders of how to be in this time. I especially appreciated information about beings in the process of making the world better for all of us. I would add to the list of visionaries: Rebeca Solnit whose writings always remind me of our possibilities.
Rebecca Solnit is a great addition! Thank you, Patricia.
So beautiful and timely, Maia. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I agree wholeheartedly (have updated some beliefs very recently and received this in right timing). I especially appreciate your thoughts on the grass roots, community care, mutual aid side and look forward to deepening my attention and intention in these spaces in the next season of life, as we navigate realities on the ground. Beautiful balance in this piece. Thank you.
Thank YOU, Anne-Marie.
This is so wonderfully hopeful and uplifting, Maia! I too believe that the world is a benevolent place.
I had never heard that quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi about resources for all. I really like that. I’m writing it down!
And that is such a helpful reminder; for all the national election hype, it is at the local level where we can make the most change, and where the most change is made.
Thank you for linking my post, Maia. I’m honored. 🙏💚
Glad you enjoyed it, Don!
I have to say I was a bit conflicted about writing that piece about the world being a benevolent place. I actually really do believe that, almost to the point where I think it’s a fact, not an opinion 🤣 but then again, perhaps that’s just wishful thinking. That’s probably worth a whole essay in itself!u
I figure the earth created us so she must want us! 💚🩷
That’s a great way to look at it!
Thank you for this list, Maia! Epic resource.
It was such good timing to come across your piece while I was putting the finishing touches on this one. They go together well!
Excellent survival kit, Maia. I'll cite it in the post I'm planning for Election Day.
Thank you, Mel!