Anne Lamott wrote:
Wars rage far beyond my house and homeland, many more than those that grab the headlines. And for some reason that I cannot fathom or even come close to reconciling, businesses and people can be targets of vandalism, violence, hate speech, and death threats all because they express a nationality, or a faith, or a skin colour, or even just a point of view that differs from an organization, group, country or even just one other person.
So what is the right thing that I should try to do in the midst of this dark disfunction? I have neither the stamina, nor the skillset, nor, (thankfully!) the official responsibility to wade into the rancor. I don't have the patience any more for meetings to discuss resolutions. I've reached the age and stage when even my eye rolls are too loud and my vintage "think before one speaks" brakes can fail without warning.
What I do have is an abiding moral obligation to show up and choose kindness over outrage, compassion over ill will, understanding over indifference. I can bring some light into the darkness and where there's light, there is hope.
©2025 April Hoeller
Nice final thought. I guess that is as much as we can do, and rally protesting against those who cause the "dark dysfunction" and vote against them.
ReplyDeleteYes Jon, to rallying in protest or even just supporting those who do so (as long as violence is not part of the plan) and voting absolutely. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
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