posted by @jeanne-mayell:
Someone in this community recently sent this to me, and it spoke to me. Hope it speaks to you:
@deetoo, was it you?
Nope -- it wasn't me. It's really beautiful, @jeanne-mayell. Words to live by, in these times. In all times. Thank you for sharing.
@anya, we will hold space for you when your hope is waning. We will do it for each other.
I hope you feel better soon, in all ways.
Raw honey is an ancient cure. I am taking it for my Gerd. I am also fighting illness. Music helps.
Jeanne, my heroes are RBG, MLK, and John Lewis, as well as John McCain. There are so many new posts on the forum that I can't possibly read them all, but your post drew my attention.
I believe I posted a video in the music thread with the video from John Lewis memorial/funeral service where they sing "We Shall Overcome" and a song for him about "Good Trouble" I might have only posted it on Social Media. It is worth reposting hear:
Bebe and Marvin Winans perform 'Good Trouble' at John Lewis funeral
@ghandigirl I forgot the raw honey. Thank you for the reminder.
I hope we both get better asap. Do you like Eleanor Friedberger or Sun Ra?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=RXjGS88pWbU
Colds and hope...
Colds
1. There is evidence that Zinc, which I consume in the form of lozenges, help shorten the life of a cold. Zinc inhibits viral proliferation in the throat and even the body. Also, saline nose sprays inhibit viral growth in nasal passages.
(One unrelated caveat, according to my eye doctor, is that a recent study indicates that the eye supplements that contain zinc have too much zinc in them that can damage vision.)
Hope-personal reflections
2. I am certain that dwelling in a negative miasma yields nothing good. However, before recommending hope, I would like it clarified as it relates to the current national crisis. I spent years telling abused women that hope was their enemy because it kept them stuck fruitlessly hoping that their abuser would change. I was gratified that the wonderful Dr Ramini include this warning in her videos and books advising people on dealing with narcissists.
So, if hope can be a wheel-spinning unrealistic Pollyanna-like expectation, like hoping
the newly scheduled incoming administration won't be so bad, what positive role can hope play in the face of enormous negative challenges?
I am grappling with that question for myself and yet, at a number of levels I do feel hopeful. Years ago at a wedding ceremony, the minister said something profound, "Love not demonstrated in action, is not love." I don't know whether that is absolutely true but it is at least good advice; if you love someone, show it. So, by corollary, what does hope look like in action?
A list that I made for myself:
Earth plane:
-Joining and working with groups that support democracy, voter access, open media, etc., challenging restrictions to our freedoms.
-Investing time and energy in our loved ones and developing and maintaining connections to others.
-Setting personal goals for improvement and working toward them.
-Contacting our political representatives whomever they are and voicing concerns, asking for action.
-Expressing our concerns about political trends with friends and neighbors.
Upper plane:
-Working on spiritual development
-Creating positive visions of the future in case we do, in fact, live in a quantum psychics realm in which thoughts become reality.
This list made me realize that hope has an object. For what do am I/we hoping? Meaningful change, positive emotional connections, and the big one for me.... a meaningful existence.
So in summary, in my view, earth-bound hope is good as long as it is embedded in clear-eyed assessments and backed by action. This election might lead to catastrophe so some catastrophic thinking can be expected but ruminating in pessimism can not do any good. So, while our immediate political future looks dark, I hope there will be effective resistance and a major change. While I am not a paragon of any sort of virtue, I have emailed all of my political representatives, sent money, and am contemplating my next steps.
On a spiritual level, I must hope that there is meaning to all of this and keep investing in both my individual our collective efforts to grow, develop and manifest positive outcomes. These times are not easy, self-care is essential.
Thank you, raincloud. I never thought of the sense of utter disenfranchisement that comes with living and working in a red state as accepting a perpetual state of abuse before. I had also planned to practice enhanced self-care--grow, develop and manifest positive outcomes, but I have been wondering what to do with the fear and anxiety that comes with being an "enemy within." I guess that's a sign of abuse, isn't it? Interesting. Thanks again, Gracesinger
@gracesinger Welcome back to the forum. EVERYBODY, Gracesinger was one of the original founding members of this forum. So glad to have you back. Gracesinger arrived back late 2016 when we needed to hold together. I am so glad you are back. I especially remember the prayers you gave us, prayers of healing both ourselves, and especially of those who were harming people.
This list made me realize that hope has an object. For what am I/we hoping? Meaningful change, positive emotional connections, and the big one for me.... a meaningful existence.
So in summary, in my view, earth-bound hope is good as long as it is embedded in clear-eyed assessments and backed by action. This election might lead to catastrophe so some catastrophic thinking can be expected but ruminating in pessimism can not do any good. So, while our immediate political future looks dark, I hope there will be effective resistance and a major change. While I am not a paragon of any sort of virtue, I have emailed all of my political representatives, sent money, and am contemplating my next steps.
On a spiritual level, I must hope that there is meaning to all of this and keep investing in both my individual our collective efforts to grow, develop and manifest positive outcomes. These times are not easy, self-care is essential.
Thank you for pinpointing with clear eyes a path forward.
@ghandigirl Lovely... yellow roses are my most favorite. You brought a smile to my face and a reminder of how loving the simplest things define our joy and reasons for living. Thank you :-)))))