(Remember how I asked you all to consider donating to a fund that would allow my kid’s school to keep its wonderful librarian? Well, many of you did. And one reader, in particular, pledged to fill any gap that existed when the fund was closed, guaranteeing that 300 kids she’s never met, in a town she doesn’t live in, would get to experience the magic of books. She’s a perfect stranger to me. Except now she’s a perfect inspiration to me. Thank you,
Courtney your posts have been so resonant these last few weeks. A tangent of this, and related to many comments below, is my work realm right now. If we are lucky enough to still have jobs and work community, everything seems to be harder but more real. Less barriers exist, both literally and figuratively. We see into each others homes. Our identities converge into one screen. It feels like the only work to do right now is to see each other fully, on every level. Building the muscles to work through the hard stuff. If we are going to destroy systems of oppression, how are we going to do it if people can't show up in all of the messiness of it all? So, there seems to be a big opportunity to build trust with one another, to use this moment to get closer. And yet, we're tired, overwhelmed, sad, fearful. I'm thinking constantly right now about how to super charge self-awareness and communication skills in my team, and how to create structures and containers for people to show up. There is part of me that knows exactly how to do this, and another part that is so overwhelmed by how distracted we all have been for so long. Thank you for pecking away in that car, Court. Keep it coming. Much love to you.
First, I asked myself how it is that you express my feelings so beautifully when I have been unable to do that myself. Then, I notice how grateful I am that you have expressed my feelings (and my behaviors) so well (yup, part of the resistance, yup, don't want to fill my brain with this president who is not my president, yup, see the inequities and waiting until November - while promising myself I will do more for the nominee than I did for Hillary). Thank you. and thank you to your perfect inspiration. May we all find a way to be someone's perfect inspiration.
I remember that woodpile, and how you described its effect on you then. Thank you so much for bringing me back to that experience. And for modeling that it's ok to be angry; in fact, it's necessary to make change happen. The systems of oppression are just so deeply entrenched. It's hard not to feel helpless. Still, I imagine how I can best use my humble power to resist policies that perpetuate oppression. Even if it's just shoring up my own inner resources to have the energy and focus to know where to start.
Thanks for this. You state everything I feel at the moment. I'm in my early 70's and mother's day and my birthday are next week. I will ZOOM with my girls and grandchildren but what I really want to do is hug them, a real strong hug. But, I am grateful I will be able to see all of their sweet faces.
I've thought about this "no-bullshit" moment a lot lately, but without coming up with such apt terminology. Your piece resonated on so many levels, Courtney. Thank you for sharing. I think that caring deeply and noting systemic dysfunction is what drives us to the rage we need to make change. The question is, do we also have the energy? Quarantine seems to be sucking some of that out of us, at scale. But maybe our simmering anger will drive hordes to the polls -- or to the mail with ballots -- in November.
Courtney your posts have been so resonant these last few weeks. A tangent of this, and related to many comments below, is my work realm right now. If we are lucky enough to still have jobs and work community, everything seems to be harder but more real. Less barriers exist, both literally and figuratively. We see into each others homes. Our identities converge into one screen. It feels like the only work to do right now is to see each other fully, on every level. Building the muscles to work through the hard stuff. If we are going to destroy systems of oppression, how are we going to do it if people can't show up in all of the messiness of it all? So, there seems to be a big opportunity to build trust with one another, to use this moment to get closer. And yet, we're tired, overwhelmed, sad, fearful. I'm thinking constantly right now about how to super charge self-awareness and communication skills in my team, and how to create structures and containers for people to show up. There is part of me that knows exactly how to do this, and another part that is so overwhelmed by how distracted we all have been for so long. Thank you for pecking away in that car, Court. Keep it coming. Much love to you.
We need lots of woodpiles. Are our hearts axes? Can our love be fierce like that? For strangers?
First, I asked myself how it is that you express my feelings so beautifully when I have been unable to do that myself. Then, I notice how grateful I am that you have expressed my feelings (and my behaviors) so well (yup, part of the resistance, yup, don't want to fill my brain with this president who is not my president, yup, see the inequities and waiting until November - while promising myself I will do more for the nominee than I did for Hillary). Thank you. and thank you to your perfect inspiration. May we all find a way to be someone's perfect inspiration.
I remember that woodpile, and how you described its effect on you then. Thank you so much for bringing me back to that experience. And for modeling that it's ok to be angry; in fact, it's necessary to make change happen. The systems of oppression are just so deeply entrenched. It's hard not to feel helpless. Still, I imagine how I can best use my humble power to resist policies that perpetuate oppression. Even if it's just shoring up my own inner resources to have the energy and focus to know where to start.
Thanks for this. You state everything I feel at the moment. I'm in my early 70's and mother's day and my birthday are next week. I will ZOOM with my girls and grandchildren but what I really want to do is hug them, a real strong hug. But, I am grateful I will be able to see all of their sweet faces.
I've thought about this "no-bullshit" moment a lot lately, but without coming up with such apt terminology. Your piece resonated on so many levels, Courtney. Thank you for sharing. I think that caring deeply and noting systemic dysfunction is what drives us to the rage we need to make change. The question is, do we also have the energy? Quarantine seems to be sucking some of that out of us, at scale. But maybe our simmering anger will drive hordes to the polls -- or to the mail with ballots -- in November.
Bless your kind heart. 💞
Wow. Yes. This.