I've been thinking a lot about my mom today. She was the wisest person I ever knew, and always had words of wisdom to offer that made me feel better. I miss her so much, especially in these dark days. She fled a dictatorship, and I wonder what she would have to say about what's become of her adopted country. She'd probably tell me to be brave, because she was nothing if not fierce. So, since mom has been on my mind, I thought I'd honor her by sharing with this community words I think she'd say to me.
- No hay mal que por bien no venga. (There is nothing bad through which good doesn't come.)
- Todo regresa. (What goes around comes around.)
- Sientate a la puerta de tu casa y veras pasar el cadaver de tu enemigo. (Sit patiently at the entrance of your home, and wait for the corpse of your enemy to pass by. My personal favorite, it really means be calm and patient, and wait for those who are no good to undo themselves, because they eventually will.)
@unk-p I watched him speak those words live. He was so beautiful in his quirky geeky and very authentic way.
A 12th century Shambhala prophecy said that some day the world would hang in the balance, just as it does today. At that time, heart warriors would use one weapon to save us -- the understanding of the radical interconnectivity of all beings. To me, that is what Joaquim Phoenix's speech was about. Now I just have to give up cream in my coffee.
Now I just have to give up cream in my coffee.
try the hemp milk. It's really good, has a sort of neutral flavor- it wont taste like someone spilled oatmeal or coconut or somethimg in your coffee.
Thank you for posting the transcript here too so we don't lose track of it. I never get tired of hearing it. I watched it live as well.
These words were posted on Dan Rather's Facebook page, 2/9/20:
They are counting on despair. That's how they win.
Those who seek to undermine our democracy, to normalize corruption and hate and division... They are counting on despair.
Those who say our votes don't matter, that facts don't matter, that the truth doesn't matter... They are counting on despair.
Those who say there are "real Americans," that we need to go back to a mythic past, that we should close ourselves to the world... They are counting on despair.
Those who would despoil our environment and undermine science... They are counting on despair.
Those who would gaslight, lie, and revel in propaganda... They are counting on despair.
Those who look the other way, make excuses, and normalize autocracy... They are counting on despair.
There is a tendency to feel the despair well up from within, and not recognize it as a weapon being wielded with precision and purpose from without. They are counting on despair.
The greatest leaders in our history knew that despair is toxic to progress. Washington at Valley Forge. Lincoln at Gettysburg. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Birmingham. But more than the famous names are the countless women and men who have fought back against despair in the service of hope, and progress. I have seen it in foxholes, on picket lines, in classrooms, and in midst of natural disasters. I have seen it in the marches, movements, and moments where people rose up and said our world can be better, and we will do the hard work to make it so.
Despair these days is an understandable feeling. Our world seems in many ways upside down. To fight against the odds, against the powerful, against the morally bankrupt, is exhausting. But just remember, they are counting on despair. Will you let them have it?
@lynnventura, thank you for sharing your mother's wonderful words of wisdom. My favorite is the same as yours: "Sit patiently at the entrance of your home, and wait for the corpse of your enemy to pass by."
What a beautiful way to honor your mom and offer support to this community.