Today, for the first time, my combined subscribers and followers reached over one thousand. I combine the two because if I like someone’s writing, I choose whichever pops up: ‘follow’ or ‘subscribe’. And then their posts come to my inbox. I assume others do as well.
Coincidentally today is Earth Day! Yesterday our budding environmental group had a table at an Earth Day event. We didn’t have a banner because we don’t have a name for our group yet. It’s exciting to be starting something like this with friends, and people I hope will become new friends.
Back to Substack, I published my first post on September 11th, 2023. My intention was to post post about my big, wild ideas that support community, and environmental and social thriving.
Then October 7th happened. And the only thing I could write about was the ongoing genocide in Gaza. I’m still sickened by it, and am horrified that it’s continuing to this day.
My opinion of world leaders who are supporting this genocide with money and military equipment has taken a nosedive. When I see their hand wringing and theatrics, as they use our tax dollars for this purpose, I cringe. Sadly, some of us are falling for it. I wish more people would follow the money and learn the truth.
In a way, I joined Substack at the right time. Although my big ideas are taking a backseat, the support I’ve received and the friendships I’ve forged on this platform have helped me to stay sane during this horrendous time. And, hopefully, I’ve been able to return the favour.
Some of the things that are ironic to me about reaching over one thousand subscribers and followers on Earth Day are what all this bombing and destruction is doing to our planet. The military is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, and those emissions are not even counted; its destruction of the environment goes unacknowledged.
The people indigenous to Israel are being treated the way our imperialist and colonialist systems have always treated those who are truly of the land. So many of us are outraged, but this is the treatment that the ruling classes are used to seeing, supporting and lying about. We cannot accept this any longer as atrocities are revealed every day on our social media feeds.
And my courage has been turbo-charged. Something I’ve started to do is share my paintings with each new post. I was too timid before, but I guess we get over this with age. Thanks to all who have appreciated them. It feels great to share what I’ve hidden because of my insecurity.
Another coincidence in my neck of the woods is that it’s Springtime, and where I live the ground is bursting with flowers and life and unending exuberance. So when I’m in the depths of despair, I can go outside and see another flower showing itself as though to encourage me to keep up my efforts.
I feel so much gratitude for our beautiful earth, our one and only home. And thanks to you, my friends here on Substack, for helping me to carry on with my efforts to address this madness. Thanks to all the people in my life who care. We can never lose the ability to care. This is our humanity shining, and it’s the most precious thing we have.
I look forward to the day when we can see a freed Palestine and all of us can share our big, wild ideas instead of trying desperately to stop this genocide.
There’s a poem percolating inside me that I’m going to share:
I think of our troubled world, heave a sigh, and step outside.
The special green of Spring,
its eternal optimism
bursts forth undeterred by world events.
A tulip, a violet, lilacs beginning to show.
Who are these flowers cheering us on?
Are they our ancestors telling us not to give up?
Are they our descendants begging us to carry on?
Or are they just life sharing its joy in being?
Drink it up, my friends.
We’ll do this.
Congrats on the first thousand, and here's to the next!
Congrats Diana! It's autumn down here in Oz - also a beautiful time of year.
Keep writing - it helps you to stay sane and it helps us to stay sane during these crazy times.