Cross posted from 2024 U.S. Presidential Election in the hopes that we can also move discussion over here to include ways to honor MVP's statement on filling the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars.
I have done a lot of reading since the first T regime ended on self improvement. While I tried books on Reiki and the like it didnt’ resonate with me yet (I feel like I’m not quite ready for it). But I did land on Stoicism and much of it resonated with me. Perhaps this is why I still feel calm about the road ahead.
My favorite book (so far) is one called Reasons not to Worry. I just finished it two weeks before the election. (Irony!). Going back into my Kindle today here are some relevant quotes I pulled out.
“The Stoics also articulated the mood that we shoudl asipre to as our default setting - ataraxia (literally, ‘without disturbance’) - a carefully calibrated state of tranquility that is not happiness, or joy… …ataraxia is a state of contentment or peace where the world can be falling in around your ears but your equilibrium is undisturbed.”
“We only have ourselves and each other - and flawed as we all are, that is enough.”
“The ancient Stoics believed you should work hard and take pride in what you do, but that work is only one part of life.”
“The Stoics were not ones to just sit on their hands and say, ‘Oh well, no point in trying because it’s out of my control.’ instead you should do everything to the best of your abiility (which is actually somethign you do have control over) but realize you cannot control the outcome of everything. As a result, your energy is put into doing the best you can do, and not in fretting about whether the outcome is successful.”
“The Stoics classified a range of thing sincluding wealth, health, and reputation as a ‘preferred indifferent’ — meaning it’s preferable to have them but you shoudl essenitally be indifferent as to whether you’ve got them or not. That means not clinging to things or falling apart if you lose them. Instead, your character is the most important thing. ARe you behaving well or badly? Are youc ultifvating the things that the Stoics called ‘the virtues’: justice, moderation, wisdom and courage? Are you relaxed? Is your inner self tranquil? Do you treat others well? Are you able to control your anger? These things wer emore important than the accumulation of repuation and capital. They are even more important than your health.”
All of these quotes I had highlighted stood out to me today in the wake of this past week and while I’m a work in progress, the last paragraph I quoted in particular is one everyone should read and consider today, tomorrow, over the weekend, into next week, through the holidays, and into the new administration.
As Harris herself put it yesterday: “There's an adage a historian once called a law of history, true of every society across the ages. The adage is, only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all, I hope that is not the case. But here's the thing, America, if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billion of stars. The light, the light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service.
And may that work guide us even in the face of setbacks toward the extraordinary promise of the United States of America. I thank you all. Make God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America. I thank you all. “
Again, let's use THIS thread to talk about ways we can continue to be the light. We've comiserated in the election thread about our fears, let's illuminate our HOPES here.
I will start. I still don't feel comfortable going door to door during an election season because of wehre I live and who I live near. But I can continue to shine the light of compassion in the interactions I still choose to have. When I think of people who stood up to injustices in the past, it can be very hard to pile drive someone who speaks from a place of concern and empathy. As more turn from T going forward - and trust me, this WILL happen, they'll instinctively start to look for the helpers as Mr. Rogers put it. I plan on buying a red sweater that I wear frequently - both to solidify the metaphor and remind myself that there are very good reasons why some of the people I met on this journey feel we needed Trump. I'm more evolved than they are, but just as I've never given up on a student during my time in education, T's ilk can throw whatever they want at me and my resolve will remain firm.
If I see people targeting my LGBTQ+ friends, I can choose whether I stand up for them or not. I plan to stand up for them.
If I see people targeting my minority friends, I can choose whether I stand up for them or not. I plan to stand up for them.
If I see people spouting hateful rhetoric, I can choose whether I point out the harmful, hurtful things they're saying. I plan to point it out.
If I see people using religion to tear people down, I can help build them back up.
At the end of the day, what's in my control? (going back to my stoics post above). How I act, how I treat others, and how I live a life of empathy and compassion. I won't walk that path alone even though it may feel like it sometimes. Light finds light.
Find light.
How will you find the light?
@dannyboy I? Have been a stoic all of my life it seems.... enduring through so many variations of "hell on earth" that taught me what and how I do NOT want to be.
Yesterday? I went out to buy groceries. I practiced kindness to all I came in contact with. Helped someone find what they needed on the aisle when they couldn't see it, helped a man riding in one of the mobility shopping carts unload his goods and looked deep in his eyes and smiled and told him to have a blessed day... his thoughts shone out "It feels good to be truly seen" I had let a young man with just two items get in front of me and my buggy full ( I shop once a month) I thanked cashiers for their help and wished them a great day. I put my buggy back.... in other words? I practiced being a good person and doing what I could do in the little things. I can not change anyone... I can only change me. I can choose to act ... rather than react. I can choose to love... even when love is lacking . That? Is my way forward.
@dannyboy Your post really hits home for me. These past 8 years, just for reference, have been filled with so much. Moving to a new state, husband having 2 blood cancers and 1 bone marrow transplant, Covid, the orange one's presidency, death of husband and 6 weeks later death of youngest child by suicide. I am stoic, I am strong, I am still standing, I am resilient, I will be okay. I do not wear rose colored glasses or have a Pollyanna attitude, I just have come to know who I am. I feel sorry for those who think the orange one is the answer, we shall see how this all plays out. Yes, I am stoic and strong, and will continue to care about those who need it the most. Hug your loved ones.
I practiced being a good person and doing what I could do in the little things. I can not change anyone... I can only change me. I can choose to act ... rather than react. I can choose to love... even when love is lacking . That? Is my way forward.
It sounds as though your character is primed already to shine lights This is exactly how it goes.
I am resilient, I will be okay. I do not wear rose colored glasses or have a Pollyanna attitude, I just have come to know who I am. I feel sorry for those who think the orange one is the answer, we shall see how this all plays out. Yes, I am stoic and strong.
If stoicism is resonating with you, I highly recommend further reading on it. The book I referenced above is very easy to dive into. But this part of your post in particular resonates with me because I've had a few people accuse me of having those same glasses on. I'm not hiding my head in the sand by avoiding news and trying to be kind - I'm very much aware of what's happening around me - but - how we respond to it all is within our control. The events themselves, not quite as much.
You most certainly ARE strong and stoic! Thank you for sharing that light!
Thanks for this thread, as I feel that the focus needs to be on the path forward and will be more so of the PTSD of the election wears off.
I would like to see the path forward recognized in the periodic predictions, not only in terms of the positive that should guide us, but also the negative that can make us aware of the obstacles (i.e. what should be expect to encounter in the pending darkness).
I also try to be a good person by shining light on people I sense are troubled, even a simple smile and “have a good day.” The bright eyes and smiles in return tell me it’s appreciated.
I’ve been very generous, esp this past yr, w GoFundMe requests. But I’m not doing it anymore. I’m not going to save anymore Magas from themselves but will be very discretionary w my donations. And, honestly, w the changes ahead, I need first to take care of myself, and my sons, if needed.
Let Magas knock on their leader’s door for what they believe he’ll provide. They’ll learn of their errors soon enough.
I’m from a huge family—28 1st cousins on one side alone. The majority are undereducated and small-minded, having never left our small town heavily Republican mindset. They can help each other.
Yesterday, I was calm. Today, some anger is rising up. I don’t enjoy seeing people suffer but I have no more tears for people who can’t save themselves yet pretend to be autonomous.
I imagine my feelings and perspectives will shift over time but this is where I’m at now. And I won’t apologize for sequestering for awhile and taking care of my broken heart first. Bc if more people tended to their own shit and shadows first, we wouldn’t be in such a sorry state. And as we cannot force change in people’s hearts and minds, I will focus on assisting those people who are don’t hold or hide so much hate and fear in theirs.
I’ve been very generous, esp this past yr, w GoFundMe requests. But I’m not doing it anymore. I’m not going to save anymore Magas from themselves but will be very discretionary w my donations. And, honestly, w the changes ahead, I need first to take care of myself, and my sons, if needed.
In my SEL work I have to remind teachers and administrators to put their own oxygen mask on first and it sounds a lot like what you're talking about here. What a great realization. Sequester yourself as long as you need to. Mend your broken heart. Secure your oxygen mask and take all the time you need to do so. This is part of the human experience.
When it comes to a simple smile and a "have a nice day" - high performing schools have all staff from the bus drivers to the lunch aides to the teachers to the administrators out in the halls before and after school, welcoming every student as they enter. Teachers welcome students every hour as students walk into their classrooms. Soemtimes this is the only positive interaction kids have in the course of a day. And the same may very much be true for the adults you pass that smile and simple acknowledgement on to.
I too live in a sea of red. I thank God that my parents and sister are enlightened, as well as the majority of my family. But we still live in MAGA country.
I actually feel OK. After 2016, the depravity of humans no longer shocks me. I will help my family and like-minded friends, but will close my purse to Republicans.
Honestly, we need Republican voters to suffer terribly over the next few years. We need them to starve and scrap for a living. We need Republican Hispanic voters to watch others like themselves be deported (and maybe some of them as well). We need Republican women to suffer when they get pregnant and are denied health care due to draconian abortion laws. We need to see manufacturing jobs to close and many of these MAGA men to roam the streets in search of work. We need to have more and more storms hit the nation at red states while their ability to pay insurance dwindle. We need less "Help Wanted" signs and more "Will work for food" signs.
Let our lights shine for those who need it, but let's use it only for those who have not actively sought to strengthen the darkness. I think it is obvious now that it does no good to help them. We must harden our hearts and walk away when they come begging for change. We cannot afford to use our light to strengthen them just so they can continue their campaign to destroy us. We need to let them bring themselves to the lowest point of human misery in the spiritual sense, and remind them that it was their choice to chose Trump in the first place.
By the way, look out for March 2025 and the summers of 2025 and 2026. I don't know why, but those dates are important somehow. Call it a hunch, but something will likely happen that will shake things up. Anyone have any idea what it can be?
“The Stoics classified a range of thing sincluding wealth, health, and reputation as a ‘preferred indifferent’ — meaning it’s preferable to have them but you shoudl essenitally be indifferent as to whether you’ve got them or not. That means not clinging to things or falling apart if you lose them. Instead, your character is the most important thing. ARe you behaving well or badly? Are youc ultifvating the things that the Stoics called ‘the virtues’: justice, moderation, wisdom and courage? Are you relaxed? Is your inner self tranquil? Do you treat others well? Are you able to control your anger? These things wer emore important than the accumulation of repuation and capital. They are even more important than your health.”
I never knew much about the Stoics but that paragraph describes the way I generally roll, at least until my equilibrium is totally pushed over the edge, like it is now.
I try to be kind to people, and I make modest charity donations.
But I am for sure going to do as @earthangel and review my charitable donations list.
I can only change me. I can choose to act ... rather than react. I can choose to love... even when love is lacking . That? Is my way forward.
Thank you for reminding me that love is the way forward.
We could contact our individual states and demand that Medicaid, Medicare, and Obamacare be provided by our individual states.
If they wish to control other forms of healthcare and leave it up to the states, it may be a great idea to push for a safety net at the state level now.
Require all employers doing business in the state to provide health insurance.
My favorite book (so far) is one called Reasons not to Worry. I just finished it two weeks before the election. (Irony!). Going back into my Kindle today here are some relevant quotes I pulled out.
You and I must be on the same book vibration lately! I just finished this book a month ago and loved it. Stoicism is a path forward.
@allyn Fortunately, I don’t live there anymore. Moved out at 19 then moved back when I met my husband who’s from Maine but worked locally. I now live in a country called New England ;-) and esp on the Outer Cape, we’re mostly Dems and progressives. I am blessed and grateful.
I visited there this summer (mostly Massachusetts). It was glorious and free from the Trump memorabilia that disturbs my soul. You are so blessed. Nevertheless, I plan to hold the fort here. There is a case I am keeping an eye on. It involves the abortion law in Tennessee. Recently, the judge's dismissed the State's motion to dismiss the case, and granted a partial injunction in favor of some of the women involved. It was a small victory, but an important one. The main trial will likely occur in the next two years.
We could contact our individual states and demand that Medicaid, Medicare, and Obamacare be provided by our individual states.
If they wish to control other forms of healthcare and leave it up to the states, it may be a great idea to push for a safety net at the state level now.
There are many predictions about this time period specifically (@jeanne-mayell had initially attributed them to the Trump years but I wonder if it more references NOW which changes the math a little on the napkin of pgoress) about how people turned away from the federal government to do more things locally. You could very well be onto something here. Blue states tend to be more socially conscious but as things at the federal level get rougher in the coming months, progress might also be made in red states as, (as many of you have pointed out already), the hardships come home to roost.