They don't have wars to resolve conflict. They have wars because some people make a lot of money off war and those same people want to have power over everyone and everything. The way I see it, healing is not about to happen any time soon so the focus needs to be on mitigation. Stop the wars, stop the destruction of the climate. I think all the green energy projects are a wonderful chance for people to connect with each other, but the real changes have to happen at the level of those who are making money off the destruction of the earth and all that lives on it. I have not seen a lot of hope that those people are going to change anything in the way of making and using less.
This post wasn't intended for those people, Susan. They were intended for the rest of us who may soon experience a lot of hardship with what looks like a coming collapse. I'm a fan of inside/outside strategies, and this is my attempt at helping us through what's to come, and even keeping fascism at bay, since it's so mean and aggressive.
And I agree that resolving conflict isn't what the wars are actually for, but more as theatre for the rest of us. I think they're usually a power grab, but they justify it by some BS like a threat of a nuclear weapons program.
Either way, I still think it should be obsolete, and that we should think about what we want instead.
What specifically do you suggest we do, Susan, to stop this insanity? So many of us are already doing what we can. It's so frustrating and infuriating.
We just have to keep doing what we are doing. We have to resist. People are resisting. We can do things that push people in the direction of understanding what is really going on. We can undermine lies whenever we have a chance. We can talk. And talk. And talk. The world is in big trouble. We may not be able to save it. But we have to try. That is where our humanity lies.
"The ‘anti-genocide is anti-semitic’ schtick doesn’t seem to be working anymore..."
This is a big achievement. Anything that can break the spell of fascist propaganda on the public is a victory to be celebrated. We are healing ourselves in spite of the wounds they inflict upon us. Power to the people!
It occurred to me the other day that this is a real victory. And that also points to another advantage we have: they think we're really stupid so they underestimate us. It means we can do a lot of things without being noticed.
I think this is true--they're not too good at actually following what's going on in the working class person's mind. They're overwhelmed with how popular Kneecap and now Bob Vynton are after their Glastonbury performances. We've got to use this "underestimation" to our advantage.
Thank you Diana. I needed this and it reminds me to listen and to see the gifts of nature that are healing and which extend beyond all the veils. Listening to bird call. Watching a prism slide its rainbow light across the floor.
It feels good to receive this permission to heal as an act of revenge. Healing invokes the opposite of the sickness that is survivor guilt.
We have a responsibility to heal our souls to heal the planet.
We need to balance energy. Protesting can sap energy (especially for those with disabilities) but retreating can give us time to refuel.
I need to remind myself that being part of a relay team against injustice does not mean always being in the lead. Raising our voices, writing to inspire, and refusing to buy Israel and Israeli-allied products are acts of protest and we can share these collectively.
Healing is hope and hope is healing. Even a non tangible thing like saying something kind is restorative. And when we withdraw to lick our wounds we can remind ourselves that we are licking those wounds to heal, to return renewed.
Giving is receiving and hope is a way of binding the planet in the power of healing.
The soul-lost despots who fuelled this genocide will not have the last word. Your words are beautiful.
Thank you, Abriel. This was one of those posts that had me feeling like I'm a little crazy. But these are dynamic times, and maybe we can change things. That's my hope.
In order to heal, we first need to acknowledge how sick our society and our western lifestyle are, how money has become the measure of all that is good and worthy. Then we need to recognize the part that we play, consciously or unconsciously, in our well-being and refrain from blaming someone or something else and feeling victimized. We also need to stop expecting some leader, saint, hero or expert to change things for us. For me, the big word is responsibility. Which includes giving and asking for help.
These are really important points, Diane. And in this complex web of a life we all lead there are wounded healers, and all kinds of actors who will be contributing to a better world, even in spite of themselves.
Healing is resistance and I am glad some are not waiting for the rubble to build alternatives. Change will not come from those who hold the power, the corrupt systems and the means to oppress with violence.
We must heal the damage and broke in each of us. Be the light shining that we want reflected back. It starts within, with each and every one of us. I agree wholeheartedly 🇵🇸♥️🙏
Thank you, Diana. I agree that healing will lead to a healthier society. I believe that most Canadians do not desire war or an arms race, but would rather live in peace. We need to make wars not only unacceptable and immoral, but also abnormal. There ought to be a stigma around war.
I agree, Perry. There should be a stigma around war. It really is unacceptable and immoral. There is no logical reason that we shouldn't live in peace.
Thank you for your encouragement here, Diana. I am in this with you. So many wonderful things are happening within my sightlines, people making different decisions, reconnecting w/ the land, and acknowledging our roles in feeding the machine. Here in Cancer season there will be many clear opportunities for us to address our patterns around giving, receiving, care, reciprocity, the truth about our roots, ancestral trauma, and what it means to be nurtured.
Your writing is refreshingly sane, the ripple effects will be wonderful. Free Palestine. May we all access the clarity, devotion, and patience necessary to avoid making enemies of each other as we continue to wake up. <3
Ciara, thanks for such a validating response. I really appreciate it. I felt vulnerable and a little crazy when I wrote it. It's so comforting to know that so many are on the same page.
I would say resistance is a form of healing, and we need to resist now more than ever even if it entails personal risk. The genocide in Gaza is indicative of how the powerful feel about ALL of us. America is in danger of falling into permanent fascism, and the climate crisis could well spell the end of us within a few generations. You don't reason with bullies. You punch back.
I agree, Geoffrey. I hope you experience this form of healing in your own life. Resistance in these times helps to keep us sane. I recommend a liberal dose to everyone.
And, yes, I agree that the powerful are expressing the way they feel about ALL of us who aren't one of them, and the risks you've named are real. I wish I knew how to stand up to these bullies, but we can do our bit in whatever way we can.
Doing it through writing is one way, educating on the issues we face is incredibly important in the face of our largely corporate mass media. Strikes, boycotting and protesting are good as well, but not enough. Here's the thing. They don't care about that. US weapons still flow to Gaza, and a brutal $3.3 trillion bill may be passed soon that will kill people to put money in the pockets of the one percent they'll barely notice. We have taxation without representation. Who needs FEMA? Who needs healthcare? Who needs immigrants that do so much heavy lifting in this country? Who will harvest the crops?
The system has been broken for a long time. Nothing short of a revolution will do. One party offered a slower death. This one offers the accelerated version. Yes, everyone has a bit to do, some will do and need to do more than others. Roger Hallum has been in prison in the UK for two years now for attempting to stop traffic in London protesting oil. There were at least two cases of cars being driven into crowds on No King's Day. To not take risk ensures an outcome we don't wish to see.
They don't have wars to resolve conflict. They have wars because some people make a lot of money off war and those same people want to have power over everyone and everything. The way I see it, healing is not about to happen any time soon so the focus needs to be on mitigation. Stop the wars, stop the destruction of the climate. I think all the green energy projects are a wonderful chance for people to connect with each other, but the real changes have to happen at the level of those who are making money off the destruction of the earth and all that lives on it. I have not seen a lot of hope that those people are going to change anything in the way of making and using less.
This post wasn't intended for those people, Susan. They were intended for the rest of us who may soon experience a lot of hardship with what looks like a coming collapse. I'm a fan of inside/outside strategies, and this is my attempt at helping us through what's to come, and even keeping fascism at bay, since it's so mean and aggressive.
And I agree that resolving conflict isn't what the wars are actually for, but more as theatre for the rest of us. I think they're usually a power grab, but they justify it by some BS like a threat of a nuclear weapons program.
Either way, I still think it should be obsolete, and that we should think about what we want instead.
My comment was also intended for the rest of us. we need to focus on stopping this insanity. Hopefully healing will come when than starts to happen.
What specifically do you suggest we do, Susan, to stop this insanity? So many of us are already doing what we can. It's so frustrating and infuriating.
We just have to keep doing what we are doing. We have to resist. People are resisting. We can do things that push people in the direction of understanding what is really going on. We can undermine lies whenever we have a chance. We can talk. And talk. And talk. The world is in big trouble. We may not be able to save it. But we have to try. That is where our humanity lies.
I agree, Susan. I think healing and community building only helps that.
That's true. Resistance is also painful and difficult sometimes. We need support from others who are also resisting.
"The ‘anti-genocide is anti-semitic’ schtick doesn’t seem to be working anymore..."
This is a big achievement. Anything that can break the spell of fascist propaganda on the public is a victory to be celebrated. We are healing ourselves in spite of the wounds they inflict upon us. Power to the people!
It occurred to me the other day that this is a real victory. And that also points to another advantage we have: they think we're really stupid so they underestimate us. It means we can do a lot of things without being noticed.
I think this is true--they're not too good at actually following what's going on in the working class person's mind. They're overwhelmed with how popular Kneecap and now Bob Vynton are after their Glastonbury performances. We've got to use this "underestimation" to our advantage.
Thank you Diana. I needed this and it reminds me to listen and to see the gifts of nature that are healing and which extend beyond all the veils. Listening to bird call. Watching a prism slide its rainbow light across the floor.
It feels good to receive this permission to heal as an act of revenge. Healing invokes the opposite of the sickness that is survivor guilt.
We have a responsibility to heal our souls to heal the planet.
We need to balance energy. Protesting can sap energy (especially for those with disabilities) but retreating can give us time to refuel.
I need to remind myself that being part of a relay team against injustice does not mean always being in the lead. Raising our voices, writing to inspire, and refusing to buy Israel and Israeli-allied products are acts of protest and we can share these collectively.
Healing is hope and hope is healing. Even a non tangible thing like saying something kind is restorative. And when we withdraw to lick our wounds we can remind ourselves that we are licking those wounds to heal, to return renewed.
Giving is receiving and hope is a way of binding the planet in the power of healing.
The soul-lost despots who fuelled this genocide will not have the last word. Your words are beautiful.
Free Free Palestine.
Saige, thank you. I'm so glad these words helped to nourish you.
I consider self care, kindness and restoration essential elements of activism.
Take good care.
<3 thank you, diana
Thank you, Abriel. This was one of those posts that had me feeling like I'm a little crazy. But these are dynamic times, and maybe we can change things. That's my hope.
You are so very sane. We must celebrate where we can, and plan and dream where we can.
Thanks, Abriel. I appreciate the reassurance when I go out on a limb.
Keep on being courageous and following your intimations
Oh, I will, Abriel. I'm afraid it's become habitual.😉
In order to heal, we first need to acknowledge how sick our society and our western lifestyle are, how money has become the measure of all that is good and worthy. Then we need to recognize the part that we play, consciously or unconsciously, in our well-being and refrain from blaming someone or something else and feeling victimized. We also need to stop expecting some leader, saint, hero or expert to change things for us. For me, the big word is responsibility. Which includes giving and asking for help.
These are really important points, Diane. And in this complex web of a life we all lead there are wounded healers, and all kinds of actors who will be contributing to a better world, even in spite of themselves.
Healing is resistance and I am glad some are not waiting for the rubble to build alternatives. Change will not come from those who hold the power, the corrupt systems and the means to oppress with violence.
The change we want , will only come from us 💪💗💪🏽
For sure, Susan, and the more healed we are as people and as communities, the more effective we'll be. And, boy! Do we need to be effective.
We must heal the damage and broke in each of us. Be the light shining that we want reflected back. It starts within, with each and every one of us. I agree wholeheartedly 🇵🇸♥️🙏
Thanks, Najwan, I really appreciate your comment, since this is something I feel this deeply.
I felt a little crazy writing it, so appreciate that you agree.
Take good care.
❤️ 🙏🏼 🍉 🦋 🌹
Thank you, Diana. I agree that healing will lead to a healthier society. I believe that most Canadians do not desire war or an arms race, but would rather live in peace. We need to make wars not only unacceptable and immoral, but also abnormal. There ought to be a stigma around war.
I agree, Perry. There should be a stigma around war. It really is unacceptable and immoral. There is no logical reason that we shouldn't live in peace.
Thank you for your encouragement here, Diana. I am in this with you. So many wonderful things are happening within my sightlines, people making different decisions, reconnecting w/ the land, and acknowledging our roles in feeding the machine. Here in Cancer season there will be many clear opportunities for us to address our patterns around giving, receiving, care, reciprocity, the truth about our roots, ancestral trauma, and what it means to be nurtured.
Your writing is refreshingly sane, the ripple effects will be wonderful. Free Palestine. May we all access the clarity, devotion, and patience necessary to avoid making enemies of each other as we continue to wake up. <3
Ciara, thanks for such a validating response. I really appreciate it. I felt vulnerable and a little crazy when I wrote it. It's so comforting to know that so many are on the same page.
I would say resistance is a form of healing, and we need to resist now more than ever even if it entails personal risk. The genocide in Gaza is indicative of how the powerful feel about ALL of us. America is in danger of falling into permanent fascism, and the climate crisis could well spell the end of us within a few generations. You don't reason with bullies. You punch back.
I agree, Geoffrey. I hope you experience this form of healing in your own life. Resistance in these times helps to keep us sane. I recommend a liberal dose to everyone.
And, yes, I agree that the powerful are expressing the way they feel about ALL of us who aren't one of them, and the risks you've named are real. I wish I knew how to stand up to these bullies, but we can do our bit in whatever way we can.
Doing it through writing is one way, educating on the issues we face is incredibly important in the face of our largely corporate mass media. Strikes, boycotting and protesting are good as well, but not enough. Here's the thing. They don't care about that. US weapons still flow to Gaza, and a brutal $3.3 trillion bill may be passed soon that will kill people to put money in the pockets of the one percent they'll barely notice. We have taxation without representation. Who needs FEMA? Who needs healthcare? Who needs immigrants that do so much heavy lifting in this country? Who will harvest the crops?
The system has been broken for a long time. Nothing short of a revolution will do. One party offered a slower death. This one offers the accelerated version. Yes, everyone has a bit to do, some will do and need to do more than others. Roger Hallum has been in prison in the UK for two years now for attempting to stop traffic in London protesting oil. There were at least two cases of cars being driven into crowds on No King's Day. To not take risk ensures an outcome we don't wish to see.