After that brave Bishop challenged Trump at the inauguration a Trumper angrily accused her of being guilty of 'the sin of empathy'. We are united in such sinning.
Thank you for this . I’ve been feeling a bit despondent about local and world political disasters and the effect on people that need the most help. All my life I’ve been an activist and I foolishly thought I could retire and live out my life in peace and comfort which by and large I’ve managed for the last 10 years but the last couple of years have turned that ideal upside down. As I head towards my 80s I’ve been feeling so sad when thinking of problems ahead for the younger generations . Globally governments seem so cruel now and intent on destroying not only their own countries but others too. Penguins with sweaters brings back hope.
I don’t know anyone who isn’t despondent about the world at the moment
It’s terrifying, and none of us quite know what to do when America is literally taking down websites it doesn’t like (modern day book burning), doing right wing salutes and pretending it’s an “accident” etc…
But I do know there are more of us who are horrified and upset than those who DGAF. It’s grim, but most people are good and don’t want to harm others. That’s my mantra.
"Not all of us are able to do all the caring all at once. We all need each other. One day I’ll feel stronger than you and will be able to act. And on a that day my neighbour will act on a day that their neighbour cannot and then you’ll be out tending to the sky on the nights where I struggle to see the stars".
So beautifully put and so true.
I also LOVE the story about Alfie, what a fabulous example to us all. There are a couple of questions I like to try to remember when the overwhelm hits 'what is mine to do?' and 'who do I want to be in the face of this?'
Can I please recommend Sarah Wilson on substack - she's writing a book about how we might cope with all of it, and she has a fabulous substack community. She also has an awesome podcast called Wild with very thoughtful guests. I'll be recommending your post to her followers too xx
I'll look up Sarah Wilson's work, thank you. Glennon Doyle is another one. This is her quote, "I'm not a mess but a deeply feeling person in a messy world. I explain that now, when someone asks me why I cry so often, I say, 'For the same reason I laugh so often--because I'm paying attention. ' I tell them that we can choose to be perfect and admired or to be real and loved". She has a book "Untamed" & a podcast "We can do hard things"
This is a struggle right now. Trying to do good and make a living and frankly neither feels like they are working. But I made my dog happy by giving her a nice walk today.
Thank you so much for this, Emily. Writing to you from Canada, where I feel like a little penguin in need of a sweater right now. My mantra going forward will be “you can do your bit”. xo
I hope that writing this has brought you the same peace-of-mind-moment that you have sent out into the universe.
Arohanui back at ya, Emily.
After that brave Bishop challenged Trump at the inauguration a Trumper angrily accused her of being guilty of 'the sin of empathy'. We are united in such sinning.
I wonder if they ever hear themselves speak. The sin of empathy. Sign me up for more of that type of sinning.
Thank you for this . I’ve been feeling a bit despondent about local and world political disasters and the effect on people that need the most help. All my life I’ve been an activist and I foolishly thought I could retire and live out my life in peace and comfort which by and large I’ve managed for the last 10 years but the last couple of years have turned that ideal upside down. As I head towards my 80s I’ve been feeling so sad when thinking of problems ahead for the younger generations . Globally governments seem so cruel now and intent on destroying not only their own countries but others too. Penguins with sweaters brings back hope.
I agree with all you say. Barb aged 69
And Janine at 79. All we can do is our bit. For our grandchildren and everyone else's grandchildren too.
I don’t know anyone who isn’t despondent about the world at the moment
It’s terrifying, and none of us quite know what to do when America is literally taking down websites it doesn’t like (modern day book burning), doing right wing salutes and pretending it’s an “accident” etc…
But I do know there are more of us who are horrified and upset than those who DGAF. It’s grim, but most people are good and don’t want to harm others. That’s my mantra.
Yea I agree, it's important, in a world of skewed news coverage, to remember that most people are good and kind
Oh my god Emily I love this post!
"Not all of us are able to do all the caring all at once. We all need each other. One day I’ll feel stronger than you and will be able to act. And on a that day my neighbour will act on a day that their neighbour cannot and then you’ll be out tending to the sky on the nights where I struggle to see the stars".
So beautifully put and so true.
I also LOVE the story about Alfie, what a fabulous example to us all. There are a couple of questions I like to try to remember when the overwhelm hits 'what is mine to do?' and 'who do I want to be in the face of this?'
Can I please recommend Sarah Wilson on substack - she's writing a book about how we might cope with all of it, and she has a fabulous substack community. She also has an awesome podcast called Wild with very thoughtful guests. I'll be recommending your post to her followers too xx
I'll look up Sarah Wilson's work, thank you. Glennon Doyle is another one. This is her quote, "I'm not a mess but a deeply feeling person in a messy world. I explain that now, when someone asks me why I cry so often, I say, 'For the same reason I laugh so often--because I'm paying attention. ' I tell them that we can choose to be perfect and admired or to be real and loved". She has a book "Untamed" & a podcast "We can do hard things"
This is such an important response Emily
Thank you!
I went to psychiatrist many years ago and his diagnosis: this is a normal reaction to an abnormal circumstance. It made me so much better.
This is a struggle right now. Trying to do good and make a living and frankly neither feels like they are working. But I made my dog happy by giving her a nice walk today.
I really needed to see penguins in sweaters today. Thank you!
Love this. I’d be worrried if I didn’t feel a bit hopeless aka not caring.
This is such a good read, thanks Emily
Love it, thank you so much Emily 💞
Thank you so much for this, Emily. Writing to you from Canada, where I feel like a little penguin in need of a sweater right now. My mantra going forward will be “you can do your bit”. xo
Thank you. Love it, that was exactly the reminder I needed.
Awh they knitted patterns on them!!!
Loved this. Needed this. The penguins? Absolutely what I needed, thank you x