Everything sublime is as difficult as it is rare. Baruch Spinoza

Friday, December 17, 2010

A Recurring Theme





My Winter Wonderland. And my wintry Mr. Wonderful, aka Zing.

I wrote something yesterday in response to a comment which has caused me to spend a little time contemplating that statement. I said I no longer thought that I, as an individual, made a difference anymore. I thought about that throughout the day, I thought this a statement someone who is accustomed to a certain amount of privilege would make. A person whom is used to their point of view being heard and mattering. 

My life circumstances have changed some, but if I am open about it, I still have it easier than many. Our situation is more precarious than I would have ever thought it could be, but this reinforces my belief that most people are closer to the edge than they realize.

Now you would think this thinking would have put me deeper into my sadness, but it did not. Overall, we are all in this mess together, some of us simply don't know it yet. The only way we are going to get out of the mess is to come together. I do not believe we will enjoy life in a banana republic. I, for one, have too much to lose.

So, I am going to stop wallowing. I will limit my exposure to the madness going on around me, but I will not give up. Grassroots movement is the only answer to an incredible situation. The workings are there, it's just a matter of moving. The alternative is to buy a Panama hat.


9 comments:

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

I really like this post, and the work that went into getting to this place.

I have been feeling this too- that there is so much that is wrong, and so much of it is out of our control, yet it is affecting us.

You're right, we are in this together and we now have the is technology to communicate, connect in ways that we didn't have before.

So let's stand together, work together to make things better. Or to at least support each other in the effort!

Inspired, thank you!

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

It truly is all about perspective. Perspective doesn't change the reality, but it does change our stance in the face of the reality.

I think you have been in a grieving process for a country and a dream ... grieving is a process and looks like your hard internal work has produced movement to the next step in adjusting to loss and disappointment.

BTW - the book I mentionned yesterday has several chapters about individuals reclaiming their power in the face of despair and coming together as a grassroots movement to effect change ... The timing might just be right in step with where you are in your process.

Love Marion's comments above.

Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos of your horses out in the snow. Incomparable beauty!!

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

I agree with Bonnie, it's all about perspective. At this point, I can really only affect my own little piece of the world, with the knowledge that there IS a ripple effect! What I do does matter, in the bigger picture, sooner or later.

That, and a vigilant search for joy and beauty, keep me from disappearing over the edge into despair (permenantly).

I've already ordered "Coming Back To Life" (Thank you, Bonnie!) I've already all the self help books I care, too, and gave them up many years ago after realizing they didn't really tell me anything I didn't know, instinctvely. But recently I realized that my life began a downward spiral after 9/11. Something in me broke that day. I'm curious to read of others' experiences and recovery.

Cyndi and Stumpy said...

Oh! I love seeing the horses and the snow!

Missy said...

I like the hat idea...

Deb said...

Thank you for your absolutely gorgeous snow photos. I feel for you as you work through your pain...it's not easy. But you are doing it and that's the important thing. Blessings on your journey my friend.

Unknown said...

I caught up here yesterday, including reading the article.

Then I looked at your incredible photos again and again.

Sometimes I spend so much time in my own head wondering what if and why and why not that I don't see that maybe this is more than I will have tomorrow and I might miss it. Maybe we aren't supposed to have anything and what we get is all gift. I don't know .

I hope your heart works through to the other side of this.

angela recada said...

In the past, I never understood people who only looked at their own lives - people who didn't care about what was going on in the world around them. But I am beginning to understand it more and more, as the mess we are in gets deeper and deeper. Ignorance is bliss, and some days I choose a little bit of ignorance just to get through the day with some inner peace. Not every day, just some days.

Looking back into the history of the world, including ancient history, also helps me put our own current situation into perspective.

I'm wishing you all the very best for the holidays, and hoping that 2011 brings brings better days for us all.

Sandra said...

Thank you everyone for you thoughtful responses. I appreciate the thought and effort involved. I have tried several times to respond to each comment but found I couldn't. I would feel my blood go hot every time I tried.