Thank you for this! I recently wrote that I was amused by the outcome because amusement was the closest I could get to joy and I’m choosing joy because my rage could get me in a lot of trouble - and not good trouble. You’re the second person who’s spoken of the Harlem Renaissance and you all are write. This is our chance to take the lemons of these last few years and turn them into something for US. To actually heal OUR wounds and let others deal with their choices. I’m 43 and I know my heart is much older and I refuse to let it take me out of the lives of my children by holding to the bitterness that this world has become. I’m nurturing my people and going to use my gifts to do it. Thank you for using yours to nurture us.
This is a breath of sunshine! Stressing the rest! Yes. The more we fuel the negative forces the stronger they get. Your words are so beautifully articulated and helpful. Thank you.
Love and rest are what we need! I love your writing so much Marcie, it makes sense of nonsense; and brought up a delicious memory of making preserved lemons weeks ahead for a special Christmas in 2022. That Morrocan Chicken Stew was one of the best meals I ever served. Lemons and saffron unbeatable. Holding onto something precious and sharing it with our loved ones, rest and nourishment.
I served mine w/ couscous and there was a lot of talk at the table about what is in here?Many flavors some had not ever tasted. I got some pita bread from the local Egyptian bakery/grocery store and we had baklava for dessert. I hope you enjoy your Moroccan Feast!
Marcie, thank you for sharing your gift. Your writing is exquisite but more than that it is so vulnerable that I feel like I don't deserve to read it. So, I am grateful. I feel so encouraged by this. This time around I am determined to stay engaged but I will not let my energy and joy be stolen by despair. I am determined to learn in this moment, both about how we got here but also to dream about what else is possible. Use the good china and the silver because today is all we have. Being fabulous is an act of resistance.
Thabk you for this. Yes, ma'am. This is it. I just spoke with my husband about instituting a Friday evening appetizer night at our place where people could come and rest and eat and laugh and "make merry". We need joy. The late night guys have been bread this week, somehow making me laugh in spite of it all. More bread. More wine.
Easy for me yo do wiyh my fellow wounded friends, but here is my tricky thing: I have been praying for a decade for God to help me not be filled with rage and wrath. I am specifically angry at "Christians" for all of this and it has simmered in me, white hot in my gut all this time. That is not sustainable for the long haul.
God keeps telling me to love my enemies as well as my neighbors and I have not been able to. But on Sunday I ended up at the communion rail next to a guy who I know voted for this. I have had calls and texts every day from people who voted for this, sharing their humanity. God keeps telling me to love my enemies and now He's putting them right in my face.
Proceeding slowly and carefully, listening, begging for discernment. Seeing in-laws for the first time on the 30th for Thanksgiving. Lord, have mercy.
First of all , Friday night appetizers?!?! Yes please!!!! Second, I’ve found that boundaries have helped me tremendously with my rage. For me that means no church. I just can’t do it and haven’t been able to since the pandemic. I’ve found other ways to find rest and sabbath. There’s no one way. Also, we’ve said no to our in-laws who are Trump supporters. We meet them during the holidays— usually at a restaurant for lunch— but not *on* the holidays. And guess what? They’re fine with it too. It’s just made us all breathe better. I hope you explore what could work for you and yours. Good luck! Family is hard.
Last week, I think a day or two after, this thought jumped into my head: "These people traffick in hatred and fear. It's literal money in their pockets. Don't give it to them." <3
Thank you thank you. I have been feeling this so much. Our rage didn’t work. Maybe it’s time for focus on community and art and activism through community and art vs raging uselessly on social media. Not that I for a moment resent anyone who did or is doing that. I’m just learning that it’s not what’s helpful for the world when *I* do it.
As a friend said on Facebook recently, “do I want to be right or to be effective. I want to be effective.” I think what you’re talking about is the key to being effective.
Thank you for all you do. It is so helpful and so important and I appreciate you so much.
Thank you! You: your research, intelligence, grace, humor, prose, and candor, are incredibly inspiring and the flotation device that helps me stay afloat when I’m spiraling! Thanks!
Thank you for naming this all! That whole interaction about Amazon was a masterclass in how to pause and take in the big picture before reacting in a way that can cause more harm. For me, I am practicing finding that space, between a knee-jerk reaction and dissociating. It’s hard, and worth it. Ross Gay said something in an interview with Dan Harris that has helped me so much this week (paraphrasing): despair is knowing how things are going to turn out versus wondering or being curious. We really have no idea what will happen next, and with some curiosity, we might figure out the next skillful step. Again, much gratitude to you and all those here turning toward the uncertainty 🙏💜
Gosh, Marcie, thank you!! This is everything we need, and so beautifully articulated. I adore the analogy of preserving lemons (and I'm reminded that Ive wanted to actually do that for more than a year now). So many in my 'zone of awareness', having gotten their wind back, are in the ring again. It has felt a little lonely (or naive) to be someone who continued to encourage kindness, even going so far as to suggest it as an act of resistance. But then the Universe did something amazing by showing me example after example of those who are standing in that same truth. Rest, restore, make art, seek beauty, cultivate joy. The phrase that was given to me, like a gift, last week: relentless creativity. I'm so grateful for you, and this, and all of us.
I’ve been practicing noticing when my tongue is pressed to the roof of my mouth. I had no idea how often my jaw was clenched!!! Breathing deeper these days.
Hari's foretelling, in the Issac Asimov Foundation Series, states "All Empires fall". A nudge in the not-knowing, is better than hovering over the present optical details. Demerzel is trying so hard to orchestrate her fate, how is she changing it in the process? Though this is a fictional story, we have had psychohistory recorded before we knew how to read and write. I'm thinking, what part do we all have in this moment of witness? ♡
Um, we can most definitely match freaks 😅 Welcome to a glimpse of my brain. In my sphere of influence, I am a zoo animal of science fiction nerd'dom. The Foundation story seems an eerie echo of North America's role in the world. I'm just not sure which faction we represent. Thank you for sharing your heart, with words for us.
Thank you for this! I recently wrote that I was amused by the outcome because amusement was the closest I could get to joy and I’m choosing joy because my rage could get me in a lot of trouble - and not good trouble. You’re the second person who’s spoken of the Harlem Renaissance and you all are write. This is our chance to take the lemons of these last few years and turn them into something for US. To actually heal OUR wounds and let others deal with their choices. I’m 43 and I know my heart is much older and I refuse to let it take me out of the lives of my children by holding to the bitterness that this world has become. I’m nurturing my people and going to use my gifts to do it. Thank you for using yours to nurture us.
I with you on the rage that doesn’t lead to good trouble. 🖤🖤🖤
This is a breath of sunshine! Stressing the rest! Yes. The more we fuel the negative forces the stronger they get. Your words are so beautifully articulated and helpful. Thank you.
This is beautiful. Thank you as always for sharing your thoughts.
Love and rest are what we need! I love your writing so much Marcie, it makes sense of nonsense; and brought up a delicious memory of making preserved lemons weeks ahead for a special Christmas in 2022. That Morrocan Chicken Stew was one of the best meals I ever served. Lemons and saffron unbeatable. Holding onto something precious and sharing it with our loved ones, rest and nourishment.
Thank you dear friend. Now I’m looking up a recipe I have for Moroccan Stew that forgot I had 🖤
I served mine w/ couscous and there was a lot of talk at the table about what is in here?Many flavors some had not ever tasted. I got some pita bread from the local Egyptian bakery/grocery store and we had baklava for dessert. I hope you enjoy your Moroccan Feast!
Marcie, thank you for sharing your gift. Your writing is exquisite but more than that it is so vulnerable that I feel like I don't deserve to read it. So, I am grateful. I feel so encouraged by this. This time around I am determined to stay engaged but I will not let my energy and joy be stolen by despair. I am determined to learn in this moment, both about how we got here but also to dream about what else is possible. Use the good china and the silver because today is all we have. Being fabulous is an act of resistance.
Absolutely use the good China, the silver and dare I say maybe light some candles.
Love.
Thank you for your grounding words of wisdom so brilliantly and poetically strung. My heart feels lifted.
Thabk you for this. Yes, ma'am. This is it. I just spoke with my husband about instituting a Friday evening appetizer night at our place where people could come and rest and eat and laugh and "make merry". We need joy. The late night guys have been bread this week, somehow making me laugh in spite of it all. More bread. More wine.
Easy for me yo do wiyh my fellow wounded friends, but here is my tricky thing: I have been praying for a decade for God to help me not be filled with rage and wrath. I am specifically angry at "Christians" for all of this and it has simmered in me, white hot in my gut all this time. That is not sustainable for the long haul.
God keeps telling me to love my enemies as well as my neighbors and I have not been able to. But on Sunday I ended up at the communion rail next to a guy who I know voted for this. I have had calls and texts every day from people who voted for this, sharing their humanity. God keeps telling me to love my enemies and now He's putting them right in my face.
Proceeding slowly and carefully, listening, begging for discernment. Seeing in-laws for the first time on the 30th for Thanksgiving. Lord, have mercy.
First of all , Friday night appetizers?!?! Yes please!!!! Second, I’ve found that boundaries have helped me tremendously with my rage. For me that means no church. I just can’t do it and haven’t been able to since the pandemic. I’ve found other ways to find rest and sabbath. There’s no one way. Also, we’ve said no to our in-laws who are Trump supporters. We meet them during the holidays— usually at a restaurant for lunch— but not *on* the holidays. And guess what? They’re fine with it too. It’s just made us all breathe better. I hope you explore what could work for you and yours. Good luck! Family is hard.
Last week, I think a day or two after, this thought jumped into my head: "These people traffick in hatred and fear. It's literal money in their pockets. Don't give it to them." <3
Amen.
This is a piece of sunlight & exquisite "umami". Where salt & sweet combine to create flavour. Is that the right word?
Thank you Marcie. 🌟🙏💜
It’s the perfect word 🖤
Thank you thank you. I have been feeling this so much. Our rage didn’t work. Maybe it’s time for focus on community and art and activism through community and art vs raging uselessly on social media. Not that I for a moment resent anyone who did or is doing that. I’m just learning that it’s not what’s helpful for the world when *I* do it.
As a friend said on Facebook recently, “do I want to be right or to be effective. I want to be effective.” I think what you’re talking about is the key to being effective.
Thank you for all you do. It is so helpful and so important and I appreciate you so much.
M
Ooohhhh I love that: do I want to be right or do I want to be effective?
I’ll take the latter.
so grateful for you!
And I am very grateful for your sweet encouragement 🖤
Much appreciated! 🙏🏼
I very much appreciate your presence here 🖤
Thank you! You: your research, intelligence, grace, humor, prose, and candor, are incredibly inspiring and the flotation device that helps me stay afloat when I’m spiraling! Thanks!
Thank you for naming this all! That whole interaction about Amazon was a masterclass in how to pause and take in the big picture before reacting in a way that can cause more harm. For me, I am practicing finding that space, between a knee-jerk reaction and dissociating. It’s hard, and worth it. Ross Gay said something in an interview with Dan Harris that has helped me so much this week (paraphrasing): despair is knowing how things are going to turn out versus wondering or being curious. We really have no idea what will happen next, and with some curiosity, we might figure out the next skillful step. Again, much gratitude to you and all those here turning toward the uncertainty 🙏💜
Oh my gosh! I adore Ross Gay. I’ve been listening to his Book of Delights this week!!!! Thank you for this.
Gosh, Marcie, thank you!! This is everything we need, and so beautifully articulated. I adore the analogy of preserving lemons (and I'm reminded that Ive wanted to actually do that for more than a year now). So many in my 'zone of awareness', having gotten their wind back, are in the ring again. It has felt a little lonely (or naive) to be someone who continued to encourage kindness, even going so far as to suggest it as an act of resistance. But then the Universe did something amazing by showing me example after example of those who are standing in that same truth. Rest, restore, make art, seek beauty, cultivate joy. The phrase that was given to me, like a gift, last week: relentless creativity. I'm so grateful for you, and this, and all of us.
“Relentless creativity” I feel like I heard that too somewhere. I love it.
These words are a balm (and a direction) I’ve been looking for. Thank you. I can feel some unclenching already.
I’ve been practicing noticing when my tongue is pressed to the roof of my mouth. I had no idea how often my jaw was clenched!!! Breathing deeper these days.
Hari's foretelling, in the Issac Asimov Foundation Series, states "All Empires fall". A nudge in the not-knowing, is better than hovering over the present optical details. Demerzel is trying so hard to orchestrate her fate, how is she changing it in the process? Though this is a fictional story, we have had psychohistory recorded before we knew how to read and write. I'm thinking, what part do we all have in this moment of witness? ♡
Are you kidding?!?! I’m obsessed with Foundation!!!! We are such a sci-fi household. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of this. Thank you.
Um, we can most definitely match freaks 😅 Welcome to a glimpse of my brain. In my sphere of influence, I am a zoo animal of science fiction nerd'dom. The Foundation story seems an eerie echo of North America's role in the world. I'm just not sure which faction we represent. Thank you for sharing your heart, with words for us.