Many of us are going to need to find more courage in the next four years, given Donald Trump's now apparent cabinet picks. All rabid warmongers, many of them Zionists or Christian fascists. There is no way a regional war in the Middle East will be avoided now. Which is about as ominous as one can imagine. :(
Trump certainly has no aversion to violence or large Pentagon budgets or increasing drone strikes or ripping up treaties or funding genocides in Gaza or Yemen (he came within 12 minutes of bombing Iran last time before changing his mind) but he appears to have an aversion to the sort of prolonged wars that would bog him down and make him unpopular with his base. But as you point out, his recent appointments, like many of the ones last time, run counter to these self-centered instincts. So either he's a total con or a total idiot (I've always thought both). He has no doctrinal ideology, no grand strategy beyond 'how will this transaction (read: military action) benefit me.' My best guess is unpredicatabilty abroad and chaos at home. Like last time, but the stage and scenes have changed.
Thank you for this, Diana! Very inspiring. An important historical moment, and we can meet these challenges together and on the shoulders of giants. In solidarity ✊
“As an activist, I feel connected, not only to people in my community, but to the people who came before me, and those who will come after who deserve a world where all can thrive. We have traditions of activism to uphold, and we have a generation that’s counting on us” word for word how it feels for me too.
Diana, I'm one of the people who called you feisty and courageous. I appreciate you feel you have no choice but you speak out when so many people don't so you qualify for those adjectives in my opinion. As a compassionate human once said:
"Many of us like to ask ourselves, "What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?" The answer is, you're doing it. Right now." ❤️🕊️,Dx
Hey, thanks. And that wasn't a criticism, it was just a surprise to me, since I don't see myself that way. You know how it is when you give people a certain impression, but it doesn't feel like how you see yourself?
No problem Diana and I wasn't reading it as a criticism. I know the feeling of "what?!? but I'm just doing what I do." when someone points out a positive aspect of ourselves that's in our blind spot. As Rabbie Burns said
Be careful using that word feisty. Someone called me feisty in a meeting where I was not quite agreeing with the previous person's comments. I came home and looked up the meaning of the word. It can mean touchy, courageous, especially if one is old or intellectually impaired. I am sure you were meaning it in a slightly different way when you said it, but take care when you decide to use that word. I was very offended as I fit into the category of "old".
Where I come from ‘feisty’ means spirited, energetic and brave. I believe in the original context, and from her follow up post, Diana understood it to have those positive connotations. As we are learning, a lot of words can lose / change their meaning depending on who is using them and when & where they're being used. ❤️🕊️,Dx
Now that you mention it, Susan, I see what you mean about it not having the best meaning, although I think it was meant in a good way. I'll be careful about using the word, though, because of its other connotations.
Yes. You get it. That is all I meant. I didn't think Dx was trying to insult you, but myself, I would choose another word. Courageous is good. Brave. Whatever.
I was not offended on Diana's behalf. I was not offended at all. You used that word and I am sure you meant it in a good way. Check out the meaning yourself. It is not exactly a good word to use to say something good about someone.
Great piece, Diana. This is a critical time and frightening time to be alive. Living in the great paradox, will take all of our courage and fortitude.
I often turn to and draw strength from my ancestors. Remembering what sacrifices they made inspires me to honor my lineage for the next seven generations.
I'm so glad it speaks to you, Paulette. As someone commented earlier, we're standing on the shoulders of giants. Honouring our lineage is so important right now, I feel. Our many contexts can give us strength.
Yes indeed, we are part of a continuum, Diana, Yin and Yang.
By the way your interview is scheduled to Rock n Scroll in less than 24 hours. I have just posted an advanced promo Note to that effect.... Peace, my Dear, Maurice @thiscreativeadventure.com
Today I was told I need to be more empathetic to Zionists. A while back I was asked if I didn't think that the articles I sent might cause harm to someone. That particular article was about Julian Assange and his unjust imprisonment. Sometimes I feel as if I am walking in deep mud.
Diana, you might find this of interest: "Our Best Option for Defending Ourselves From Trump’s Second Term Is Each Other" .... Policy solutions, tech fixes or billionaires won’t save us. We must commit to the work of mutual aid and direct action.
I've been mulling this over after chatting with a couple of very dear friends. We felt that we had to learn to recognise that sometimes "me, myself and I" was the correct approach. Particularly if it resulted in you being able to be in a healthy place from which to then put your energy into your family, community, cause. "Put on your own oxygen mask before helping others."
But if you've been used to being expected to always put everyone else before yourself it is possible to overcompensate and become solipsistic. That's not so good. ❤️🕊️,Dx
I agree that we sometimes have to put ourselves first, and to make sure we're in a healthy place and not the go to person to do everything for everyone.
But I also feel that it's important to feel connection with community, family, etc. And sometimes communities -- and there are many of them -- become toxic, and it makes perfect sense to step back if you can.
Many of us are going to need to find more courage in the next four years, given Donald Trump's now apparent cabinet picks. All rabid warmongers, many of them Zionists or Christian fascists. There is no way a regional war in the Middle East will be avoided now. Which is about as ominous as one can imagine. :(
Here's hoping the rest of the world steps up, Jamenta. The west is in terrible shape in so many ways.
I hope you are wrong, but fear you may be correct
Trump certainly has no aversion to violence or large Pentagon budgets or increasing drone strikes or ripping up treaties or funding genocides in Gaza or Yemen (he came within 12 minutes of bombing Iran last time before changing his mind) but he appears to have an aversion to the sort of prolonged wars that would bog him down and make him unpopular with his base. But as you point out, his recent appointments, like many of the ones last time, run counter to these self-centered instincts. So either he's a total con or a total idiot (I've always thought both). He has no doctrinal ideology, no grand strategy beyond 'how will this transaction (read: military action) benefit me.' My best guess is unpredicatabilty abroad and chaos at home. Like last time, but the stage and scenes have changed.
Really beautiful painting, really beautiful words, Diana! You’re very kind, and inspiring. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you, Leon. This was inspired by people commenting on my other posts. Take care.
Thank you for this, Diana! Very inspiring. An important historical moment, and we can meet these challenges together and on the shoulders of giants. In solidarity ✊
Well said, Kevin. In solidarity.
SOLIDARITY ❤️💪🕊️🌍👌
Really resonate with everything you’ve said.
“As an activist, I feel connected, not only to people in my community, but to the people who came before me, and those who will come after who deserve a world where all can thrive. We have traditions of activism to uphold, and we have a generation that’s counting on us” word for word how it feels for me too.
That's great, Jayde! I love the feeling of connection all of it gives me.
Diana, I'm one of the people who called you feisty and courageous. I appreciate you feel you have no choice but you speak out when so many people don't so you qualify for those adjectives in my opinion. As a compassionate human once said:
"Many of us like to ask ourselves, "What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?" The answer is, you're doing it. Right now." ❤️🕊️,Dx
Hey, thanks. And that wasn't a criticism, it was just a surprise to me, since I don't see myself that way. You know how it is when you give people a certain impression, but it doesn't feel like how you see yourself?
No problem Diana and I wasn't reading it as a criticism. I know the feeling of "what?!? but I'm just doing what I do." when someone points out a positive aspect of ourselves that's in our blind spot. As Rabbie Burns said
O, wad some Power the giftie gie us
To see oursels as others see us!
I'm glad you know the feeling. I seem to be discovering a few blind spots lately...
I'm just happy when it's positive things that I learn about myself through others' feedback. It's taken long enough 😹
Good point. It could have been much worse.
Be careful using that word feisty. Someone called me feisty in a meeting where I was not quite agreeing with the previous person's comments. I came home and looked up the meaning of the word. It can mean touchy, courageous, especially if one is old or intellectually impaired. I am sure you were meaning it in a slightly different way when you said it, but take care when you decide to use that word. I was very offended as I fit into the category of "old".
Where I come from ‘feisty’ means spirited, energetic and brave. I believe in the original context, and from her follow up post, Diana understood it to have those positive connotations. As we are learning, a lot of words can lose / change their meaning depending on who is using them and when & where they're being used. ❤️🕊️,Dx
Meanings do change over time, and I didn't take offence.
Now that you mention it, Susan, I see what you mean about it not having the best meaning, although I think it was meant in a good way. I'll be careful about using the word, though, because of its other connotations.
Yes. You get it. That is all I meant. I didn't think Dx was trying to insult you, but myself, I would choose another word. Courageous is good. Brave. Whatever.
I wasn't calling you feisty Susan.
I didn't think you were. I was just saying that it is a word to consider before you use it.
So you were offended on Diana’s behalf because you are ‘old’? That's your perogative.
I was not offended on Diana's behalf. I was not offended at all. You used that word and I am sure you meant it in a good way. Check out the meaning yourself. It is not exactly a good word to use to say something good about someone.
? "I was very offended as I fit into the category of "old"." ?
So I don't understand why you made it about you and your age.
I consider all my words before I use them*. Words have power.
*Unless it's late at night and I'm in a particularly cranky mood 😹
Great piece, Diana. This is a critical time and frightening time to be alive. Living in the great paradox, will take all of our courage and fortitude.
I often turn to and draw strength from my ancestors. Remembering what sacrifices they made inspires me to honor my lineage for the next seven generations.
I'm so glad it speaks to you, Paulette. As someone commented earlier, we're standing on the shoulders of giants. Honouring our lineage is so important right now, I feel. Our many contexts can give us strength.
Yes indeed, we are part of a continuum, Diana, Yin and Yang.
By the way your interview is scheduled to Rock n Scroll in less than 24 hours. I have just posted an advanced promo Note to that effect.... Peace, my Dear, Maurice @thiscreativeadventure.com
Hey, great, Maurice! Thanks so much!
I am always delighted, Diana, to give support and credit where it’s due
I'm here for it! 💕🌈🕊
Today I was told I need to be more empathetic to Zionists. A while back I was asked if I didn't think that the articles I sent might cause harm to someone. That particular article was about Julian Assange and his unjust imprisonment. Sometimes I feel as if I am walking in deep mud.
Keep up the good work, Diana!
Diana, you might find this of interest: "Our Best Option for Defending Ourselves From Trump’s Second Term Is Each Other" .... Policy solutions, tech fixes or billionaires won’t save us. We must commit to the work of mutual aid and direct action.
https://truthout.org/articles/our-best-option-for-defending-ourselves-from-trumps-second-term-is-each-other/?utm_source=feedotter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=FO-11-12-2024&utm_content=httpstruthoutorgarticlesourbestoptionfordefendingourselvesfromtrumpssecondtermiseachother&utm_source=Truthout&utm_campaign=52d124f32a-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_11_12_09_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bbb541a1db-52d124f32a-653097902
I've been mulling this over after chatting with a couple of very dear friends. We felt that we had to learn to recognise that sometimes "me, myself and I" was the correct approach. Particularly if it resulted in you being able to be in a healthy place from which to then put your energy into your family, community, cause. "Put on your own oxygen mask before helping others."
But if you've been used to being expected to always put everyone else before yourself it is possible to overcompensate and become solipsistic. That's not so good. ❤️🕊️,Dx
I agree that we sometimes have to put ourselves first, and to make sure we're in a healthy place and not the go to person to do everything for everyone.
But I also feel that it's important to feel connection with community, family, etc. And sometimes communities -- and there are many of them -- become toxic, and it makes perfect sense to step back if you can.
Absolutely. ❤️🕊️,Dx