I love this. I’m leaning in to raising my kids, doing my work as a therapist, inviting people on the margins to my table regularly and often (I don’t have bandwidth for a bunch of extra activities, but it is not hard to make extra spots), asking my church what we’re doing to help feed people and showing up to help make it happen, and buying full size candy bars for trick or treaters this year.
I am trying to just be kind....to everyone, everywhere. AND I am refusing to doom scroll. When I find myself doing it, I make the conscious choice to go find something helpful or productive to occupy my time and mind!
Also decided today we are going to put a little free pantry cabinet next to our little free library. Our area has been hit really hard by the shut down and I know I must have neighbors who need the help.
We just bought a plastic storage bin... Going to spray paint it brown.... Put some groceries in it.... Place it ..... And not ask permission from the HOA 😉
This is lovely. On a bad day, I think that factions of people who can't agree what is truth and what is fiction can never roll things back enough to re-connect in meaningful ways. On good days, I agree that the small things are everything. As a (recent) retiree, my "role" feels less clear (in every part of my life, not just politically right now), but I think I can keep showing up as a person who cares about other people and who says yes to opportunities to be helpful.
I listened to that Lkein-Coates interview after seeing the news bits following Charlie Kirks death. Your assessment of Ezra Klein was spot on and you could read this face when he, possibly for the 1st time, realized there were no lines or boundaries anymore in American culture that have not been crossed. Coates' smiling response? "Welcome to Black America!" The bafflement and the re-traumatizing disorientation from COVID are most certainly real. Jemar Tisby has also commented on how to move forward by doing oridnary things, like serving potato soup to neighbors. Not out of despair, but more out of defiance. Blessings.
Out of defiance!!! I love this framing. And yes, that Klein/Coates interview was a Masterclass on the different lived experiences of Americans and how best to move forward. They were also both great examples of the virtue of listening.
thank you for this exhortation, especially for the final benediction. ♥️ my role right now is loving my staunchly republican husband, modeling for my children that there are multiple viewpoints, and that republicans and democrats really can love each other and even happily exist together under one roof. 🙏
Morning Shannan, Morning America. ❤️❤️❤️ all of this. Part of my role is to help the allocation of small pots of money to grassroots groups in Plymouth in more participatory ways. I was part of allocating £16250 ($21600) to give laptops to refugees and train them how to use, confidence building workshops for traumatised women, mobile sewing classes to tackle social isolation, venue hire for singing groups and brand new clay making groups, new Christmas decorations for a church community hall, and support for a food bank and a menopause network. It's a real privilege to be part of.
Worked in the community garden on October 18, taking walks, praying for my family and neighborhood, studying the Minor Prophets with Bible Study Fellowship, cleaning my bathroom, cooking meals, playing cards with friends, going to dance class, keeping in touch with elderly mom, kids and grandkids. One day at a time until Jesus comes back.
So I just signed up to give monthly to two local food banks. Not a lot of money but amounts I can afford and a monthly donation that I will probably forget about but will mean something to that organization. I'm looking at how I can boycott corporate stores for Christmas this year.
Feeding (and petting) my neighbor Bob’s cat Clyde while he’s unexpectedly saddled with some hospital overnights (I love Bob so much!). Important to note, too, that Clyde is Bob’s late brother’s cat. Bringing a big pot of something warm to feed some of our unhoused neighbors later this week. And taking my time developing a script for an annual Advent event for women. It’s a bridge back to where I worshipped growing up, and I love that the tables continue to grow and swirl with a diversity of perspectives. The theme this year is “Make Room.”
Thank you for this today, it was much needed. I’m committed to raising boys who love and respect others. I’m getting involved in my local civic club, and our local United Methodist church. Focusing hyper local when everything feels like too much to bear.
💗Such important words for these disorienting times. My work as an RN who now specializes in women’s health in a blue state with massive healthcare disparities puts me face to face with SO many ethical issues. It’s overwhelming, and my heart bleeds every shift. It’s definitely getting more difficult to stay positive. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep shouting it: your voice is a candle in the dark, Shannan. Thank you for the encouragement, however small it may seem. 🥹 This post was that fist-bump I needed. *Deep Breath.* Onward.
I’m volunteering at several organizations serving the unhoused. I’m also getting connected to some regional faith based organizing groups. Here’s a link to something impactful that one of them did recently: https://picocalifornia.org/blog/from-house-meetings-to-city-hall/
I’m retired so I volunteer 3 days a week in a middle school downtown. I help 6th graders with reading fluency. I get be their extra Grammy, getting to know them and care about them. I’m also making lap quilts for family and friends. My husband and I help with our grandkids whenever possible. We have a granddaughter on the spectrum who goes to community college and works part time. She doesn’t drive yet so we get to be her wheels. ♥️ Staying busy helps. When I can be helpful my heart isn’t as heavy.
My role is to listen to people learning to carry the tension of life challenges they didn't expect. I had three opportunities this week alone, and each felt like sacred ground. When so much feels out of my control, this isn't. I can be a source of encouragement and hope and perspective in the midst of hard times with those—new and old—I'm in relationship with.
Also, and completely unrelated (maybe/maybe not), my role is to say yes when my neighbor says "do you hear Dairy Queen calling?" Chocolate soft serve dipped in chocolate=COUNTERWEIGHT.
Shannan, you express my feelings exactly. I am currently in the process of reading ALL of your books. I, too, am an Indiana “girl” so your writing resonates with me. Currently my youngest son is living life with an ankle bracelet after 2 difficult stints in prison …. the last at Westville. A long and difficult journey due to a $1500 theft and subsequent addictions. But, he is nearing the end and has made the turn towards a new life. I have learned so much as well. The main thing is that everybody has a story and we have absolutely no right to judge others. I am a grandma to 12 and a great grandma to 5. Recently I picked up the “job” of teaching Jr. church again. Using my God-given nurturing skills to teach kids about the truth found in God’s Word. In these very dark and sad times I can only hope to teach of God’s character. Our current political leadership seems to be sadly lacking in any knowledge of true love and compassion. It stresses me to the max if I let it. I stay informed with the news but refuse to be drawn into the drama. I cope by walking my dog and enjoying this beautiful season of Fall here in Indiana. I stay in community with my neighbors, friends and family even though my political views sometimes make me the “odd man out”. I refuse to surrender those views ! Thank you for all of your essays and your books. It is nice to have other comrades in arms !
I love this. I’m leaning in to raising my kids, doing my work as a therapist, inviting people on the margins to my table regularly and often (I don’t have bandwidth for a bunch of extra activities, but it is not hard to make extra spots), asking my church what we’re doing to help feed people and showing up to help make it happen, and buying full size candy bars for trick or treaters this year.
Bravo!!! And yes, putting some pressure on our churches is a wonderful move right now.
I am trying to just be kind....to everyone, everywhere. AND I am refusing to doom scroll. When I find myself doing it, I make the conscious choice to go find something helpful or productive to occupy my time and mind!
Enjoy leaf looking!!!!
Leaf looking was delayed by a migraine. 😞 But I'm almost recovered AND it gave me a chance to check in on all of you lovelies!
I AM SO SORRY! Glad you are getting better.
Also decided today we are going to put a little free pantry cabinet next to our little free library. Our area has been hit really hard by the shut down and I know I must have neighbors who need the help.
I wish there were more of these. My old neighborhood had one.
We just bought a plastic storage bin... Going to spray paint it brown.... Put some groceries in it.... Place it ..... And not ask permission from the HOA 😉
Just keeping it easy and uncomplicated
“Quiet” resistance indeed!
This is lovely. On a bad day, I think that factions of people who can't agree what is truth and what is fiction can never roll things back enough to re-connect in meaningful ways. On good days, I agree that the small things are everything. As a (recent) retiree, my "role" feels less clear (in every part of my life, not just politically right now), but I think I can keep showing up as a person who cares about other people and who says yes to opportunities to be helpful.
Keep showing up! Yes!!
I listened to that Lkein-Coates interview after seeing the news bits following Charlie Kirks death. Your assessment of Ezra Klein was spot on and you could read this face when he, possibly for the 1st time, realized there were no lines or boundaries anymore in American culture that have not been crossed. Coates' smiling response? "Welcome to Black America!" The bafflement and the re-traumatizing disorientation from COVID are most certainly real. Jemar Tisby has also commented on how to move forward by doing oridnary things, like serving potato soup to neighbors. Not out of despair, but more out of defiance. Blessings.
Out of defiance!!! I love this framing. And yes, that Klein/Coates interview was a Masterclass on the different lived experiences of Americans and how best to move forward. They were also both great examples of the virtue of listening.
I called them quiet acts of rebellion!
thank you for this exhortation, especially for the final benediction. ♥️ my role right now is loving my staunchly republican husband, modeling for my children that there are multiple viewpoints, and that republicans and democrats really can love each other and even happily exist together under one roof. 🙏
Lovely, lovely, lovely. Thank you for sharing this, Rachel.
Morning Shannan, Morning America. ❤️❤️❤️ all of this. Part of my role is to help the allocation of small pots of money to grassroots groups in Plymouth in more participatory ways. I was part of allocating £16250 ($21600) to give laptops to refugees and train them how to use, confidence building workshops for traumatised women, mobile sewing classes to tackle social isolation, venue hire for singing groups and brand new clay making groups, new Christmas decorations for a church community hall, and support for a food bank and a menopause network. It's a real privilege to be part of.
I read this twice. It's so beautiful!
Worked in the community garden on October 18, taking walks, praying for my family and neighborhood, studying the Minor Prophets with Bible Study Fellowship, cleaning my bathroom, cooking meals, playing cards with friends, going to dance class, keeping in touch with elderly mom, kids and grandkids. One day at a time until Jesus comes back.
Counterweights!! And yes, this is *the moment* for prophets - minor/major.
So I just signed up to give monthly to two local food banks. Not a lot of money but amounts I can afford and a monthly donation that I will probably forget about but will mean something to that organization. I'm looking at how I can boycott corporate stores for Christmas this year.
Melissa - thank you! If more of us would donate our little part, it would make such a difference.
Feeding (and petting) my neighbor Bob’s cat Clyde while he’s unexpectedly saddled with some hospital overnights (I love Bob so much!). Important to note, too, that Clyde is Bob’s late brother’s cat. Bringing a big pot of something warm to feed some of our unhoused neighbors later this week. And taking my time developing a script for an annual Advent event for women. It’s a bridge back to where I worshipped growing up, and I love that the tables continue to grow and swirl with a diversity of perspectives. The theme this year is “Make Room.”
Make Room. It's perfect.
Thank you for this today, it was much needed. I’m committed to raising boys who love and respect others. I’m getting involved in my local civic club, and our local United Methodist church. Focusing hyper local when everything feels like too much to bear.
Hyper-local for the win!
💗Such important words for these disorienting times. My work as an RN who now specializes in women’s health in a blue state with massive healthcare disparities puts me face to face with SO many ethical issues. It’s overwhelming, and my heart bleeds every shift. It’s definitely getting more difficult to stay positive. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep shouting it: your voice is a candle in the dark, Shannan. Thank you for the encouragement, however small it may seem. 🥹 This post was that fist-bump I needed. *Deep Breath.* Onward.
This piece is a balm to a weary soul.
My role as a…
Citizen - keep calling Indiana statehouse daily to ask the midcycle redistricting be stopped.
Believer - showing up on Tuesday nights to show love to immigrants’ children
Community Member - keep doing the good work through my public school educational foundation
Let’s not grow weary doing good!
I’m volunteering at several organizations serving the unhoused. I’m also getting connected to some regional faith based organizing groups. Here’s a link to something impactful that one of them did recently: https://picocalifornia.org/blog/from-house-meetings-to-city-hall/
I’m retired so I volunteer 3 days a week in a middle school downtown. I help 6th graders with reading fluency. I get be their extra Grammy, getting to know them and care about them. I’m also making lap quilts for family and friends. My husband and I help with our grandkids whenever possible. We have a granddaughter on the spectrum who goes to community college and works part time. She doesn’t drive yet so we get to be her wheels. ♥️ Staying busy helps. When I can be helpful my heart isn’t as heavy.
Their extra Grammy. 🥰🥹
My role is to listen to people learning to carry the tension of life challenges they didn't expect. I had three opportunities this week alone, and each felt like sacred ground. When so much feels out of my control, this isn't. I can be a source of encouragement and hope and perspective in the midst of hard times with those—new and old—I'm in relationship with.
Also, and completely unrelated (maybe/maybe not), my role is to say yes when my neighbor says "do you hear Dairy Queen calling?" Chocolate soft serve dipped in chocolate=COUNTERWEIGHT.
Shannan, you express my feelings exactly. I am currently in the process of reading ALL of your books. I, too, am an Indiana “girl” so your writing resonates with me. Currently my youngest son is living life with an ankle bracelet after 2 difficult stints in prison …. the last at Westville. A long and difficult journey due to a $1500 theft and subsequent addictions. But, he is nearing the end and has made the turn towards a new life. I have learned so much as well. The main thing is that everybody has a story and we have absolutely no right to judge others. I am a grandma to 12 and a great grandma to 5. Recently I picked up the “job” of teaching Jr. church again. Using my God-given nurturing skills to teach kids about the truth found in God’s Word. In these very dark and sad times I can only hope to teach of God’s character. Our current political leadership seems to be sadly lacking in any knowledge of true love and compassion. It stresses me to the max if I let it. I stay informed with the news but refuse to be drawn into the drama. I cope by walking my dog and enjoying this beautiful season of Fall here in Indiana. I stay in community with my neighbors, friends and family even though my political views sometimes make me the “odd man out”. I refuse to surrender those views ! Thank you for all of your essays and your books. It is nice to have other comrades in arms !
Thank you for sharing this with us, Lu Ann. Those little kids are so lucky to have you back! Holding your son in the light of love and hope today. ✨