Yes. The shakey, grey existential precipice we're walking on is scary, indeed. I wish I had the support of religious hope and reassurance that all will turn out okay. But reality says the world-wide problems are not getting better. The environment, national politics, natural disasters, human suffering...we're circling the drain.
I'm a fairly old lady, so I'm not really worried for my sake. But my grandkids -- the thought of the tragedies and horrors before them keeps me from sleeping. And all the young people. How dreadful for them to face the future!
How do I deal with such a bleak future? I limit the time I watch and read news. I do the things I can to not make things worse -- recycle, donate time and money to the causes that seem helpful, etc. I nurture my favorite relationships. I knit. I listen to music. Sometimes I use gummies to take the edge off.
But mostly I've come to accept that all of this will come to an end, no matter what I do or don't do. In the grand scope of time and the universe, I am nothing. "They" don't even know I exist, and if they did, they wouldn't even care. My existence is more or less just up to me. And so, I'll do the best I can to do what's right and to enjoy what I can. And when I think about it, there is really a lot to enjoy. A lot. And I'm very grateful for it. And gratitude is comforting.
I look up as well. Over the past couple of years, I have found clouds to be a source of comfort. I look for colors and photograph sunrises and sunsets to document their beauty. The OT taught me that God shows up in the clouds, and I often play with a cloud metaphor in my mind to work through discomfort and create peace. My profile picture is a photo of a little girl hanging onto a heart-shaped moon. It is an image that depicts a phrase that means a lot to me...Take heart, which, interestingly, Marcie used in her comment. It is a mantra that I use when I am especially weary and tired.
Voltaire's "Candide" sum's life's ongoing chase or push or living right back down to as simple as: One must first and always: Cultivate One's Own Garden!
I have found that particularly in these tense, trying, and uncertain times, that this simple message rings true and more poignant every day! The notion that we must look after ourselves, before we can truly start to really help anyone else! The correlation is so there!
Voltaire's protagonist Candide, yes of the same name as the short novel's title, must spend countless failed attempts and even more foolhardy efforts over years of his early adult life chasing mostly mis-guided and socially influenced mimetic, materialistic and ego driven things, projects, ideas and even inauthentic pursuits/dreams only to always seemingly fall just short of any real sense of happiness and/or meaningful accomplishment that can become the realized foundation for further pursuit of Candide's Best Life
Ultimately Candide's pain, failures, and near ruin over years and years are what bring him home to this full awakening and realization that happiness and meaning and even health start at home and in first just making sure your Garden is planted and then cultivated such that it provides the very foundation to step out!
I really found your comment inspiring and personally meaningful along with this particular newsletter Jenara! Ty both!!
Jenara,
Yes. The shakey, grey existential precipice we're walking on is scary, indeed. I wish I had the support of religious hope and reassurance that all will turn out okay. But reality says the world-wide problems are not getting better. The environment, national politics, natural disasters, human suffering...we're circling the drain.
I'm a fairly old lady, so I'm not really worried for my sake. But my grandkids -- the thought of the tragedies and horrors before them keeps me from sleeping. And all the young people. How dreadful for them to face the future!
How do I deal with such a bleak future? I limit the time I watch and read news. I do the things I can to not make things worse -- recycle, donate time and money to the causes that seem helpful, etc. I nurture my favorite relationships. I knit. I listen to music. Sometimes I use gummies to take the edge off.
But mostly I've come to accept that all of this will come to an end, no matter what I do or don't do. In the grand scope of time and the universe, I am nothing. "They" don't even know I exist, and if they did, they wouldn't even care. My existence is more or less just up to me. And so, I'll do the best I can to do what's right and to enjoy what I can. And when I think about it, there is really a lot to enjoy. A lot. And I'm very grateful for it. And gratitude is comforting.
That's how I make it through each day.
It's doable.
Take heart.
I was in Portland this weekend and saw your book in the best seller display at Powell's.
Yes, these cure scary times. I feel sometimes that neurodivergent people carry Cassandra's curse. We can see the future, but no one believes us.
Is the link for today the same as last time? If not, how do we get the link? My subscription looks active however I do not see a link.
I look up as well. Over the past couple of years, I have found clouds to be a source of comfort. I look for colors and photograph sunrises and sunsets to document their beauty. The OT taught me that God shows up in the clouds, and I often play with a cloud metaphor in my mind to work through discomfort and create peace. My profile picture is a photo of a little girl hanging onto a heart-shaped moon. It is an image that depicts a phrase that means a lot to me...Take heart, which, interestingly, Marcie used in her comment. It is a mantra that I use when I am especially weary and tired.
Voltaire's "Candide" sum's life's ongoing chase or push or living right back down to as simple as: One must first and always: Cultivate One's Own Garden!
I have found that particularly in these tense, trying, and uncertain times, that this simple message rings true and more poignant every day! The notion that we must look after ourselves, before we can truly start to really help anyone else! The correlation is so there!
Voltaire's protagonist Candide, yes of the same name as the short novel's title, must spend countless failed attempts and even more foolhardy efforts over years of his early adult life chasing mostly mis-guided and socially influenced mimetic, materialistic and ego driven things, projects, ideas and even inauthentic pursuits/dreams only to always seemingly fall just short of any real sense of happiness and/or meaningful accomplishment that can become the realized foundation for further pursuit of Candide's Best Life
Ultimately Candide's pain, failures, and near ruin over years and years are what bring him home to this full awakening and realization that happiness and meaning and even health start at home and in first just making sure your Garden is planted and then cultivated such that it provides the very foundation to step out!
I really found your comment inspiring and personally meaningful along with this particular newsletter Jenara! Ty both!!