Thanks Ruth for this, and all of your articles. I'm in catching up mode and enjoying them all. Very happy that I've stumbled onto your substack. Completely agree that if we help ea other and support ea other, we can get through this. Here's to hoping for a brighter future. Cheers
Ruth, I am a paid subscribed because I have learned from hearing you on MSNBC and from reading your newsletter. I also drew up with an older brother who was emotionally I cured by our father. He in turned emotionally abused and threatened me.
I look forward to your Friday meeting and to building a community of others who want to learn and support each other in this process with you! Thanks for being a teacher and bridge builder.
Thanks for the grounding. I know that I am still smoldering inside. I went into another tailspin last night after reading a Substack post by climate journalist, Rachel Donald, "Cyber-security-experts-warn-election-hacked " which includes the investigation of 'bullet ballots', possible hacking and other irregularities. To consider the Criminal-in-Chief won by hack/cheat with such a slim margin is even more maddening. I had sleep difficulties and was sorry I sent to close friends and posted here to Lucid, not knowing the validity. I am proud I decided to NOT disassociate with those voters. I have expressed my disagreement/ disappointment with them. They are neighbors/ acquaintances, not close friends, as close friends are similar minded. I know my role is part of The Resistance now. We must remain ever vigilant and make the change we wish to see. We must lead by example. I pray we can salvage and build even better while moving forward. God help this country.
Had the election followed the adjusted results Vice President Kamala Harris would have won 294 electoral votes for the win over Trump’s 241 losing electoral votes. See Robert Rei post. Today
I respect the views of those who look for common ground. However, it begs the question: How can you find common ground with those playing a zero sum game? The cult doesn't do compromise. I hope for peace but unfortunately, we also must prepare for war. Sad but unfortunately true. Have a great weekend. See everybody on Sunday.😃
Honestly, right now I am seeking to find common ground with the Gen Zers in my family. My family voted for Harris, but my 23-year-old nephew was not excited by her candidacy. He feels she is corrupt as are Biden and Trump because it has to do with support of providing Israel with weapons. He does not see Trump as the agent of abortion destruction, because he heard Trump say he would not sign a national ban. So, I am realizing I need to just have conversations with him and hear what he thinks and help him achieve his aspirations. Same with my 19-year old daughter. I see the effects of Covid life on her socially. While she is studying in a different city than I live in, I am making an effort to visit her regularly so we can connect face-to-face.
You know what? As a woman, and a lesbian to boot, I wonder about this a lot. Why should I have anything to do with men? Some of my sisters don't, and they're doing OK. But some guys really are nice, and helpful, even when they're mostly clueless politically. So I keep the connections open, hoping that in the long term they'll start to realize that the assumptions they've grown up with really are a bit out-of-date.
I'm glad I've reentered as a paid subscriber again. I value Ruth's insights and help, and am especially going to read/listen to everything here as we transition to an even worse Trump presidency (to put it mildly).
I haven't estranged myself from Republican Trump-voting dear long-time friends, close ones from my church, and family members. I mean, I love them and they do me. I see them as misinformed and some are just plain mixed up to a degree. I've had non-rancorous conversations with them and they think I'm wrong. Hopefully they will see the light at some point. It'll take a lot for that to happen. It may be that what we'll be going through in the future will change some of their minds. One thing I often find that we do agree on after some conversation is the horrific greed of the corporations that raise prices of groceries and other needed items simply to raise their profits, not caring at all for the "better good." That's something for them to keep in mind as we see the billionaires and nefarious others that will be in Trump's cabinet and other positions. The propaganda that we must all necessarily suffer while they expand their wealth and power--yeah, looking at you, Musk. That's my "in" to have those conversations to see if they can awaken to the propaganda.
Climate change: Once climate change deniers, now they see it and are not so sure anymore that it's not from man-made causes. At least they are admitting the acceleration of change. I mean, I live on the west coast of FL and we saw some "rare" hurricanes this season, both in acceleration in power from the warm waters and the actual tracks of the storms. What we can see or experience that directly affects us or close loved ones can be a powerful contributor to change. That may happen more over the months and years.
A strong emotion is like a storm. If you look at a tree in a storm, the top of the tree seems fragile, like it might break at any moment. You are afraid the storm might uproot the tree. But if you turn your attention to the trunk of the tree, you realize that its roots are deeply anchored in the ground, and you see that the tree will be able to hold.
You too are a tree. During the storm of emotion, you should not stay at the level of the head or heart, which are like the top of the tree. You have to leave the heart, the eye of the storm, and come back to the trunk of the tree. Your trunk is one centimeter below your navel. Focus there, paying attention only to the movement of your abdomen, and continue to breathe. Then you will survive the storm of strong emotion.
You should not wait for emotion to appear before you begin practicing. Otherwise, you will be carried away by the storm. You should train now, while the emotion is not there. So sit or lay down and practice mindfulness of the breath, using the movement of your abdomen as the object of your attention. I am positive that if you do this exercise for twenty days, ten minutes per day, then you will know how to practice whenever a strong emotion comes up. After ten or twenty minutes, the emotion will go away, and you will be saved from the storm. – Thich Nhat Hanh
I will perhaps begin to think about being interested in building bridges to the MAGAs when they feel the impact of the bad stuff their Orange God and his co-conspirators are going to unleash. But not before they admit that a) it's him not the libs or Obama or Biden and b) they brought this on themselves. Until then, frankly anyone who admits to being MAGA or bears the mark of Cain (the red MAGA hat) is dead to me.
I am recommending learning about Gen Z culture and values as a bridge building. Just hearing what they like and think and aspire to can help us understand that they want different things then we do because they are at a different stage. It was illuminating to hear Cameron Kasky be interviewed by Tim Miller of The Bulwark, because he is telling us a progressive Gen Z view of the election. https://youtu.be/XbvStzZGZrQ?si=jbMQ1thgmr2R0Wsi
It’s amazing how people can be motivated by beliefs, ideologies, and convictions, especially those motivated by fear, threat, and the thirst for power over others. I worry that we’re being emotionally trained to devalue people for reasons of identity or beliefs. How do we return to indigenous and perennial wisdom of belonging to the land and being good stewards of the web of life and our relatedness? I will try to write and speak more about this fundamental issue of mental health, but for now your community might like this. Thanks as always Ruth! We are all helping each other stay true to our humanity, and boy is that a struggle in a world of greed and power.
Thanksgiving: Biden's apology to American Indians
Contemplation, empathy, and transitional spaces for trauma
Yes, that's the point at which we will be rewarded for trying to be that "tree in the storm" with not only realizing we still love our deceived family and friends, but that they may be willing for us to be there for them in meaningful ways when the scales fall from their eyes. And vice versa. That's what I'm praying for, anyway.
This was supposed to be a reply to James Quinn above, just to clarify. I'm having more problems with the reply function lately, I may return to browser vs app unless there's an important chat or live meet 🤷♀️
I look for shared memories among family members, even the ones who supported DT. It’s a more shallow relationship but I won’t estrange. But after having been in the evangelical world for many years, that I could not abide. I left almost all of those groups in disgust.
Thanks Ruth for this, and all of your articles. I'm in catching up mode and enjoying them all. Very happy that I've stumbled onto your substack. Completely agree that if we help ea other and support ea other, we can get through this. Here's to hoping for a brighter future. Cheers
Ruth, I am a paid subscribed because I have learned from hearing you on MSNBC and from reading your newsletter. I also drew up with an older brother who was emotionally I cured by our father. He in turned emotionally abused and threatened me.
I look forward to your Friday meeting and to building a community of others who want to learn and support each other in this process with you! Thanks for being a teacher and bridge builder.
Thank you .. we need you .. your words of wisdom and insight ..
I can't support any family member who voted for Trump if they knew he was a grapist.
Thanks for the grounding. I know that I am still smoldering inside. I went into another tailspin last night after reading a Substack post by climate journalist, Rachel Donald, "Cyber-security-experts-warn-election-hacked " which includes the investigation of 'bullet ballots', possible hacking and other irregularities. To consider the Criminal-in-Chief won by hack/cheat with such a slim margin is even more maddening. I had sleep difficulties and was sorry I sent to close friends and posted here to Lucid, not knowing the validity. I am proud I decided to NOT disassociate with those voters. I have expressed my disagreement/ disappointment with them. They are neighbors/ acquaintances, not close friends, as close friends are similar minded. I know my role is part of The Resistance now. We must remain ever vigilant and make the change we wish to see. We must lead by example. I pray we can salvage and build even better while moving forward. God help this country.
Had the election followed the adjusted results Vice President Kamala Harris would have won 294 electoral votes for the win over Trump’s 241 losing electoral votes. See Robert Rei post. Today
Sorry that should have been classic preaching theme not term. Oooops!
Yes, but be a tree that bends in adversity so to prevent uprooting. Classic preaching term.
I respect the views of those who look for common ground. However, it begs the question: How can you find common ground with those playing a zero sum game? The cult doesn't do compromise. I hope for peace but unfortunately, we also must prepare for war. Sad but unfortunately true. Have a great weekend. See everybody on Sunday.😃
Honestly, right now I am seeking to find common ground with the Gen Zers in my family. My family voted for Harris, but my 23-year-old nephew was not excited by her candidacy. He feels she is corrupt as are Biden and Trump because it has to do with support of providing Israel with weapons. He does not see Trump as the agent of abortion destruction, because he heard Trump say he would not sign a national ban. So, I am realizing I need to just have conversations with him and hear what he thinks and help him achieve his aspirations. Same with my 19-year old daughter. I see the effects of Covid life on her socially. While she is studying in a different city than I live in, I am making an effort to visit her regularly so we can connect face-to-face.
You know what? As a woman, and a lesbian to boot, I wonder about this a lot. Why should I have anything to do with men? Some of my sisters don't, and they're doing OK. But some guys really are nice, and helpful, even when they're mostly clueless politically. So I keep the connections open, hoping that in the long term they'll start to realize that the assumptions they've grown up with really are a bit out-of-date.
I'm glad I've reentered as a paid subscriber again. I value Ruth's insights and help, and am especially going to read/listen to everything here as we transition to an even worse Trump presidency (to put it mildly).
I haven't estranged myself from Republican Trump-voting dear long-time friends, close ones from my church, and family members. I mean, I love them and they do me. I see them as misinformed and some are just plain mixed up to a degree. I've had non-rancorous conversations with them and they think I'm wrong. Hopefully they will see the light at some point. It'll take a lot for that to happen. It may be that what we'll be going through in the future will change some of their minds. One thing I often find that we do agree on after some conversation is the horrific greed of the corporations that raise prices of groceries and other needed items simply to raise their profits, not caring at all for the "better good." That's something for them to keep in mind as we see the billionaires and nefarious others that will be in Trump's cabinet and other positions. The propaganda that we must all necessarily suffer while they expand their wealth and power--yeah, looking at you, Musk. That's my "in" to have those conversations to see if they can awaken to the propaganda.
Climate change: Once climate change deniers, now they see it and are not so sure anymore that it's not from man-made causes. At least they are admitting the acceleration of change. I mean, I live on the west coast of FL and we saw some "rare" hurricanes this season, both in acceleration in power from the warm waters and the actual tracks of the storms. What we can see or experience that directly affects us or close loved ones can be a powerful contributor to change. That may happen more over the months and years.
Thich Nhat Hanh: Be a tree in the storm-
A strong emotion is like a storm. If you look at a tree in a storm, the top of the tree seems fragile, like it might break at any moment. You are afraid the storm might uproot the tree. But if you turn your attention to the trunk of the tree, you realize that its roots are deeply anchored in the ground, and you see that the tree will be able to hold.
You too are a tree. During the storm of emotion, you should not stay at the level of the head or heart, which are like the top of the tree. You have to leave the heart, the eye of the storm, and come back to the trunk of the tree. Your trunk is one centimeter below your navel. Focus there, paying attention only to the movement of your abdomen, and continue to breathe. Then you will survive the storm of strong emotion.
You should not wait for emotion to appear before you begin practicing. Otherwise, you will be carried away by the storm. You should train now, while the emotion is not there. So sit or lay down and practice mindfulness of the breath, using the movement of your abdomen as the object of your attention. I am positive that if you do this exercise for twenty days, ten minutes per day, then you will know how to practice whenever a strong emotion comes up. After ten or twenty minutes, the emotion will go away, and you will be saved from the storm. – Thich Nhat Hanh
Trees can teach us everything we need to know.
I will perhaps begin to think about being interested in building bridges to the MAGAs when they feel the impact of the bad stuff their Orange God and his co-conspirators are going to unleash. But not before they admit that a) it's him not the libs or Obama or Biden and b) they brought this on themselves. Until then, frankly anyone who admits to being MAGA or bears the mark of Cain (the red MAGA hat) is dead to me.
I am recommending learning about Gen Z culture and values as a bridge building. Just hearing what they like and think and aspire to can help us understand that they want different things then we do because they are at a different stage. It was illuminating to hear Cameron Kasky be interviewed by Tim Miller of The Bulwark, because he is telling us a progressive Gen Z view of the election. https://youtu.be/XbvStzZGZrQ?si=jbMQ1thgmr2R0Wsi
It’s amazing how people can be motivated by beliefs, ideologies, and convictions, especially those motivated by fear, threat, and the thirst for power over others. I worry that we’re being emotionally trained to devalue people for reasons of identity or beliefs. How do we return to indigenous and perennial wisdom of belonging to the land and being good stewards of the web of life and our relatedness? I will try to write and speak more about this fundamental issue of mental health, but for now your community might like this. Thanks as always Ruth! We are all helping each other stay true to our humanity, and boy is that a struggle in a world of greed and power.
Thanksgiving: Biden's apology to American Indians
Contemplation, empathy, and transitional spaces for trauma
https://open.substack.com/pub/sunmoonlight/p/thanksgiving-bidens-apology-to-american?r=97m4w&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Yes, that's the point at which we will be rewarded for trying to be that "tree in the storm" with not only realizing we still love our deceived family and friends, but that they may be willing for us to be there for them in meaningful ways when the scales fall from their eyes. And vice versa. That's what I'm praying for, anyway.
This was supposed to be a reply to James Quinn above, just to clarify. I'm having more problems with the reply function lately, I may return to browser vs app unless there's an important chat or live meet 🤷♀️
I look for shared memories among family members, even the ones who supported DT. It’s a more shallow relationship but I won’t estrange. But after having been in the evangelical world for many years, that I could not abide. I left almost all of those groups in disgust.