Whether you’re just carving out some time to journal solo or gathering with some good people to reflect (you can print these out, tear them up, and throw them in a bowl), here are some prompts to help you along… What did you pay a lot of attention to this year?
Trigger warning: these responses to Courtney's inspiring questions are NOT likely to inspire or even slightly interest anyone. However, I take all of her assignments seriously, so I'll hazard the following:
1. Attention paid to politics because as a former political science prof., I'm deeply engaged in the current political scene. However, this profession has its limitations when pol. science academics actually believe that there's a "science" to politics. To the contrary, we study it to address Plato's overarching question in The Republic: "What course of life is best?" and any thoughtful consideration of that query merits the study of politics. Among my top students, Courtney ranked as the finest, always attuned to this question, so I read her Newsletter faithfully.
2. If you're still with me, then I'll proceed by saying that my best conversations this year were with my oldest granddaughter, Mia, who came out as a lesbian and subsequently introduced me to Queer Theory, especially the writings of black feminists that I should have read long ago by Audre Lorde, "Uses of Anger", Angela Davis and Kimberle Crenshaw, brilliant sources that critique our sexist society. Mia and I have spent many hours talking about this theory and its implications.
3. Re: Courtney's superlative book, "Do It Anyway" (still my favorite), I participated in several protests for various causes, particularly Portland teachers' strikes for higher pay, abortion and gay rights, and anti-war marches provided they are staunchly nonviolent. NONVIOLENCE is always the test of legitimacy. I'm excited in 2024 about engaging in nonviolent civil disobedience campaigns associated with the War Resisters League, an organization that I joined in 1968 and remain an ardent member. I urge others to join, IF they choose to commit to the principled practice of nonviolent action.
4. At age 85, I feel stuck physically because I'm losing my physical capacities to travel. This inhibits me from returning to India and Nepal, where Sharron (spouse of 62 years) lived for 5 years. Our adventures there have been milestones in our marriage since we met in Kathmandu in 1960, and we yearn to renew them. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
5. My relationship to change didn't change this year. It's consistently been to creating a fundamental transformation of our capitalist/militarist system through civil disobedience. This is in accord with my War Resisters League pledge that's self explanatory. I'm very fortunate to have worked with advocates of such change like Barbara Deming, Dave Dellinger and Dan Berrigan, whose writings I strongly endorse for effective change to occur here. Our model is King's leadership that converted me to pacifism during the Montgomery bus boycott.
6. I'm still grieving the loss of my younger brother from early onset Alzheimer's at age 72, a terrible blow that comes especially on holidays like Christmas that we celebrated throughout his life. I've had years of psychotherapy with a superb analyst to deal with this affliction. I intend to continue and want to express it here more collectively, if anyone has suffered a somewhat similar tragedy.
7. I haven't felt really "courageous" for years, so I'll skip this response.
8. I've felt "safe" by engaging with Sharron who has guided me through numerous crises, including a heart issue and long haul Covid. Our relationship is indispensable in ways that afford us both a sense of security in these dangerously violent times. We hope that our conversations help us to grow. We're both in our mid-80's so it's difficult not to feel hubristic when considering a commitment for growth. Is this really possible at our age with set habits of behavior? We both rely on Courtney's wisdom and read Parker Palmer avidly.
9. After I turned 80, I've had a truly difficult time admitting my physical limitations. I can't walk in our nearby forests nearly as far as before and this is a daily exercise that is vital to maintain my health. As I said, I wish that I could return to India to publicize my latest book there and see old friends.
10. "Freedom" is a concept that I've devoted my life as a scholar to grasping it through lifelong analysis. This sounds deplorably pedantic but I did choose to write my Ph.D. dissertation (1965) on the Indian idea of freedom, a sign of how consumed I am with the subject. Moreover, the best book that I read recently on any topic is by Anthony Lewis, "Freedom for the Thought We Hate." This year I've felt inspired by examining various dimensions of this thought, including free speech on college campuses. This search allows me to explore even more 20th century Indian thought that I treasure. Gandhi is my focus and his theory/practice of freedom, called "SWARAJ" contains the secret to understanding the meaning of social/economic/individual freedom, so I firmly believe that investigating his life is of ultimate value. Yet books by Thich Nhat Hanh come a close second. His whole existence is a marvel to behold.
Enough!
Thanks for this opportunity to vent and sincere apologies to those who find my verbiage boring. I'm sure that others will give us all more rewarding lessons. Happy New Year! DD
There is so much richness here DD! Thank you for all of these thoughtful answers. You continue to be a model for me of aging AWAKE and continually directed towards taking action on behalf of the most marginalized. Thank you for how you move through the world. Love to Sharron and Mia!
Question # 9 -- What did you have a hard time admitting to yourself this year? -- is one with which I struggled during 2023. I had to face up to the fact that I am 84 years old and must work hard to keep the mobility I have. After two falls in the past year, I did PT focused on balance for 7 months. I now use my rollator and quad cane even inside our small house. I am grateful that my husband is in much better physical shape and helps me when we go places. And I do as many things as I can -- help with meals, fold laundry, etc.
I really appreciate the question about what did I pay a lot of attention to this year. Provides a nice contrast or backdrop to how I hope to envision the year ahead. Thanks for this reflective piece!
As others have said, these are great prompts for the new year. I think I'll try to make some tiny nature gifts, inscribed with these & other thoughts apropos to a first night gathering.
Thank you for your list of prompts to close the year.
One thing to which I have given a lot of attention this year is living through, and with, profound loss. One question within that question is how much of that practice can really be controlled by the individual. For example, for me would it have to take seven years to emerge from my Ragnarok?
A second question is related to your 'What wasn't yours to do that you did anyway?' and 'Who pushed you in ways that helped you grow?' Specifically, as someone who tends to do way too much that is really not hers to do, sometimes out of a sense of needing to act when others don't and sometimes because it is hard to say no to those who are overwhelmed with what is on their plates, I have been working on pulling back.
With your encouragement I have signed on to WendyMac as my first new adventure of 2024!
Well timed post. I will make conversation starter strips of paper with these questions for one of sour whole-family meals here in Sarasota. Thank you. And happy new year!
Not sure how or why I am getting your newsletter but these are great questions. Thanks. I’ll come back later to check out peoples answers. And add my own, maybe.
I found myself dedicating significant time to personal growth and self-care. It was a year of exploration and learning, focusing on areas that contribute to my well-being and overall fulfillment.
I would say I felt more free when I sat down to write. Writing has been so liberating, I think no other medium has ever helped me evolve as an individual. I have always preferred to be BTS, but writing has helped me come out of that disguise which I wore for a very long time in my life.
Trigger warning: these responses to Courtney's inspiring questions are NOT likely to inspire or even slightly interest anyone. However, I take all of her assignments seriously, so I'll hazard the following:
1. Attention paid to politics because as a former political science prof., I'm deeply engaged in the current political scene. However, this profession has its limitations when pol. science academics actually believe that there's a "science" to politics. To the contrary, we study it to address Plato's overarching question in The Republic: "What course of life is best?" and any thoughtful consideration of that query merits the study of politics. Among my top students, Courtney ranked as the finest, always attuned to this question, so I read her Newsletter faithfully.
2. If you're still with me, then I'll proceed by saying that my best conversations this year were with my oldest granddaughter, Mia, who came out as a lesbian and subsequently introduced me to Queer Theory, especially the writings of black feminists that I should have read long ago by Audre Lorde, "Uses of Anger", Angela Davis and Kimberle Crenshaw, brilliant sources that critique our sexist society. Mia and I have spent many hours talking about this theory and its implications.
3. Re: Courtney's superlative book, "Do It Anyway" (still my favorite), I participated in several protests for various causes, particularly Portland teachers' strikes for higher pay, abortion and gay rights, and anti-war marches provided they are staunchly nonviolent. NONVIOLENCE is always the test of legitimacy. I'm excited in 2024 about engaging in nonviolent civil disobedience campaigns associated with the War Resisters League, an organization that I joined in 1968 and remain an ardent member. I urge others to join, IF they choose to commit to the principled practice of nonviolent action.
4. At age 85, I feel stuck physically because I'm losing my physical capacities to travel. This inhibits me from returning to India and Nepal, where Sharron (spouse of 62 years) lived for 5 years. Our adventures there have been milestones in our marriage since we met in Kathmandu in 1960, and we yearn to renew them. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
5. My relationship to change didn't change this year. It's consistently been to creating a fundamental transformation of our capitalist/militarist system through civil disobedience. This is in accord with my War Resisters League pledge that's self explanatory. I'm very fortunate to have worked with advocates of such change like Barbara Deming, Dave Dellinger and Dan Berrigan, whose writings I strongly endorse for effective change to occur here. Our model is King's leadership that converted me to pacifism during the Montgomery bus boycott.
6. I'm still grieving the loss of my younger brother from early onset Alzheimer's at age 72, a terrible blow that comes especially on holidays like Christmas that we celebrated throughout his life. I've had years of psychotherapy with a superb analyst to deal with this affliction. I intend to continue and want to express it here more collectively, if anyone has suffered a somewhat similar tragedy.
7. I haven't felt really "courageous" for years, so I'll skip this response.
8. I've felt "safe" by engaging with Sharron who has guided me through numerous crises, including a heart issue and long haul Covid. Our relationship is indispensable in ways that afford us both a sense of security in these dangerously violent times. We hope that our conversations help us to grow. We're both in our mid-80's so it's difficult not to feel hubristic when considering a commitment for growth. Is this really possible at our age with set habits of behavior? We both rely on Courtney's wisdom and read Parker Palmer avidly.
9. After I turned 80, I've had a truly difficult time admitting my physical limitations. I can't walk in our nearby forests nearly as far as before and this is a daily exercise that is vital to maintain my health. As I said, I wish that I could return to India to publicize my latest book there and see old friends.
10. "Freedom" is a concept that I've devoted my life as a scholar to grasping it through lifelong analysis. This sounds deplorably pedantic but I did choose to write my Ph.D. dissertation (1965) on the Indian idea of freedom, a sign of how consumed I am with the subject. Moreover, the best book that I read recently on any topic is by Anthony Lewis, "Freedom for the Thought We Hate." This year I've felt inspired by examining various dimensions of this thought, including free speech on college campuses. This search allows me to explore even more 20th century Indian thought that I treasure. Gandhi is my focus and his theory/practice of freedom, called "SWARAJ" contains the secret to understanding the meaning of social/economic/individual freedom, so I firmly believe that investigating his life is of ultimate value. Yet books by Thich Nhat Hanh come a close second. His whole existence is a marvel to behold.
Enough!
Thanks for this opportunity to vent and sincere apologies to those who find my verbiage boring. I'm sure that others will give us all more rewarding lessons. Happy New Year! DD
There is so much richness here DD! Thank you for all of these thoughtful answers. You continue to be a model for me of aging AWAKE and continually directed towards taking action on behalf of the most marginalized. Thank you for how you move through the world. Love to Sharron and Mia!
Question # 9 -- What did you have a hard time admitting to yourself this year? -- is one with which I struggled during 2023. I had to face up to the fact that I am 84 years old and must work hard to keep the mobility I have. After two falls in the past year, I did PT focused on balance for 7 months. I now use my rollator and quad cane even inside our small house. I am grateful that my husband is in much better physical shape and helps me when we go places. And I do as many things as I can -- help with meals, fold laundry, etc.
I really appreciate the question about what did I pay a lot of attention to this year. Provides a nice contrast or backdrop to how I hope to envision the year ahead. Thanks for this reflective piece!
Great questions, Courtney.
I'm looking forward to free writing in response. I'm hoping a friend or two will respond, too, and we can share.
Wishing us all good health and peace in the 'new' year.
As others have said, these are great prompts for the new year. I think I'll try to make some tiny nature gifts, inscribed with these & other thoughts apropos to a first night gathering.
Thank you for your list of prompts to close the year.
One thing to which I have given a lot of attention this year is living through, and with, profound loss. One question within that question is how much of that practice can really be controlled by the individual. For example, for me would it have to take seven years to emerge from my Ragnarok?
A second question is related to your 'What wasn't yours to do that you did anyway?' and 'Who pushed you in ways that helped you grow?' Specifically, as someone who tends to do way too much that is really not hers to do, sometimes out of a sense of needing to act when others don't and sometimes because it is hard to say no to those who are overwhelmed with what is on their plates, I have been working on pulling back.
With your encouragement I have signed on to WendyMac as my first new adventure of 2024!
Great questions for NYE
Well timed post. I will make conversation starter strips of paper with these questions for one of sour whole-family meals here in Sarasota. Thank you. And happy new year!
Not sure how or why I am getting your newsletter but these are great questions. Thanks. I’ll come back later to check out peoples answers. And add my own, maybe.
I found myself dedicating significant time to personal growth and self-care. It was a year of exploration and learning, focusing on areas that contribute to my well-being and overall fulfillment.
Love these questions!
10. When did you feel more free this year?
I would say I felt more free when I sat down to write. Writing has been so liberating, I think no other medium has ever helped me evolve as an individual. I have always preferred to be BTS, but writing has helped me come out of that disguise which I wore for a very long time in my life.