What a beautiful and wise post Cindy. May each day bring you a sense of peace and love of your family and friends. Thank you for being who you are: the embodiment of human integrity.
Yes, Cindy, ultimately, it is only wise and compassionate people who will deserve and manifest wise and compassionate leaders; the revolution is an inside job, and we can all plant seeds, as you are doing, of compassion and wisdom - thanks!!!
Vaguely connected. I had a big row with my wife last night on an ongoing issue between us.
I want her to sell her business (Florists) to provide us the time and finances to afford a change of lifestyle. She doesn’t want to and I believe out of routine more than anything else. I also believe she’s a bit scared of having even more full time in my presence because she believes I’m too angry about the world. She is right about that. But that’s also why I want the lifestyle change.
We are both 60 this year. The last 20 or so years I have been realizing that everything about our society is a con. Broken down, us regular folk are nothing but worker ants for the elites. Everything about our society is a conditioning that favors them by fobbing us off with crumbs. I’m most angry that because I can now clearly see this but I feel powerless to imagine a life that’s better that isn’t still within the constructs of that conditioning. I believe that a simpler life is likely a part of this, something native that’s focused on loved ones and harmony with nature. But I feel shackled.
Cindy, you have done something both brave and inspirational by sticking to your values at a personal cost to you. You are richer as a person despite its financial impacts.
I had a situation with my husband after Casey was killed--one day about three months after we buried him, I realized that the marriage/partnership was not working for me, anymore, and I had to move on from that, as well.
I am not advocating that you move on from your marriage, but, I am sending you all my best wishes!
A lot of my frustration is born from knowing that when we have quality time together away from the day to day environment, we have a blast.
My wife has a terrible childhood that I’m sure is responsible for her insecurities. And I don’t want to paint myself as some understanding savior, as I’m a long way from perfect.
I think I got some seeds planted in our latest blow up, I recognized the signs in her.
Simply put, my goal is to have as little regret as possible with what is left of our lives. Neither of us believe in an afterlife, so my current urgency revolves around “what are we waiting for?
I was born in London, a true child of the city. Permanent rural lifestyle never really appealed because of my roots.
Now in Florida, 8 years ago we moved to the most rural part of Sarasota county. My dynamic changed. I realized that the next move I wanted was to be even more rural.
I’m not entirely sure though that this would still be the key after the bulk of my life having been brainwashed by the system. I struggle to switch my brain off. So I fear whatever the locale, would I ever completely escape?
There is no utopia, there are dumb rednecks and meth heads in my area, what you do have though is peace and quiet, and deep immersion in nature. I am convinced alienation from nature is a large part of what makes modern industrial societies so dire. Once you see a bear in your yard, you will never forget it.
"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." - E.B. White
That quote nicely summarizes my daily struggle, and speaks to your wonderful post, Cindy. I'm fortunate in that my wife of 35+ years shares my views on pretty much everyone, and I hers. We both have the same revolutionary political roots, and are both writers and creatives. So, again, I feel blessed and try never to be complacent about it.
That said, carving out times for meditation, walks, art, healthy food, and laughter help keep me relatively sane. Yet, I also embrace rage as a welcome companion to the murderous system and country I live in, as well as realizing that we all are living through the epic collapse of a toxic empire - and that causes even more pain. But will there be light at the end? That's the rub.
Yes, one of the worst things about my mom visiting is she likes to watch an hour of corporate propaganda news every night. I finally put my foot down and said no, that isn't happening, I didn't move to a wilderness area full of peace and quiet to be bombarded with a bunch of noisy pro war, pro censorship agitprop. We have actually come to peace with and compromise on watching old movies, which I can deal with.
You are one of a kind and I am grateful I found you (again) in this oppressive time. Your writing is a homeopathic remedy to my soul which is sorely in need of it these strange dark days. Thank you🌸
Living simply is halving all you need. I've had lots of valuable belongings confiscated or pilfered and never recovered. I learned to place the highest value on my health and association with people who resist the economic ideology preventing the Common Good from attaining meaningful quality of Life.
Yeah, but some of us have a few acres of trees and a creek or two. Do we want three fuckers coming onto this Native Land to shoot up their fucking beer cans? Do we want them to ATV the grasses and shrubs to death? To shoot deer? Or build a fire into a forest fire?
We have rights, Cindy, so those are your values, and I understand the simplifying, but come on.
The USA and Jewish Cabal and Goyim Cabalists have vandalized the world.
With bombs, shovels, poisons and words. See how the fuckers are spitting on Gonzalo's grave.
Shit, I'm a what you call "real newspaper journalist of old," but I still have respect. Respect for murdered Lira.
Off topic, but fuck it.
Complete human stain, and those wanting the spit on the grave of Gonzalo Lira, may you have chop chop chop to your vocal cords and jugulars.
Golly, this so resonates with me these days. I've been striving for this simplification, and making room for beauty/peace/love/healing/reconciling, etc, especially since kovaids. What a scary, but necessary awakening for me, it's been so far. One thing I've been working on is not sweating the "small" stuff - letting annoyances go, not arguing or taking offense over little things that don't matter anyhow - things like that. Making time for prayer and expressions of gratitude has been helpful.
Thanks for writing this, Cindy. Blessings to you and yours.
Thank you Cindy! Keep spreading beauty, love and peace. I appreciate you so much. For me going on long hikes in the East Bay's wild spaces and connecting with other people (even if we don't agree on every issue!) and fanning the divine spark in each of us is what keeps me going. Plus being a grandmother is a huge blessing. <3 <3 <3
I simplified a long time ago. Through the 70s and 80s I was working hard, volunteering for worthy causes, and even had some social life. Alcohol made it possible by detouring around my natural introvert tendencies.
When I stopped drinking.....WHAT THE FUCK HAVE I BEEN DOING?
All the work and worthy causes didn't improve the world, didn't change any lives, didn't bring respect or affection, didn't even bring enough money to buy respect and affection. After that I got cold and hard, just satisfying myself and God. Much easier and less frustrating.
A note to my "Liberal" friends from an American Patriot: 2024 will Only be the End of the Beginning.
The 2020 Feral sElection Coup can Not Stand, Understand that this Current ProgreSSive Demoncrazy is all NWO Mother WEFers inside Both Political Parties.
Elected democRats are Bolsheviks, while Elected rinoRats are Quilisings. Both NeoCons supporting Moar War abroad, and Feral Tyranny at home.
If it takes CW, to Restore our Republic, So Be It. I Wish You All Well, but the Traitorous Ferals in DC and elsewhere will face their/them Reckoning.
Excellent post. On a deep level I suppose this is why I stopped considering myself to be a "left activist," a few years ago, is I wanted to be for something positive and creative in my own life, and not just against things. This doesn't mean I won't speak out against atrocities like the genocide in Gaza, it does mean that I am focused more on my writing, music and photography, after all if you life is consumed in fighting, what is it you are fighting for?
Thank you for sharing this piece of you Cindy. I'm also trying to downsize, but "Don't waste" is hardwired into my psyche, from the time of WW2 as a 2-3 year old child and things were rationed. So, I try to think, "who would appreciate getting this?" It even applies to the postage paid return envelopes from the movement sources begging for money. So, I put appeals from party A in the the envelopes from party B etc.. There is so much competition, I just wish they would consolidate their silos and do pubic fundraisers by putting programs together instead of begging.
What a beautiful and wise post Cindy. May each day bring you a sense of peace and love of your family and friends. Thank you for being who you are: the embodiment of human integrity.
thanks, xo
Yes, Cindy, ultimately, it is only wise and compassionate people who will deserve and manifest wise and compassionate leaders; the revolution is an inside job, and we can all plant seeds, as you are doing, of compassion and wisdom - thanks!!!
"revolution is an inside job,"
perfecto!!!!!
always thrilling to see your name in comments that I am reading.....makes me feel connected to you dear Will.!
Yes! Likewise! Loving salutations from mid-way through our vegan Food for Freedom tour in Florida...
Vaguely connected. I had a big row with my wife last night on an ongoing issue between us.
I want her to sell her business (Florists) to provide us the time and finances to afford a change of lifestyle. She doesn’t want to and I believe out of routine more than anything else. I also believe she’s a bit scared of having even more full time in my presence because she believes I’m too angry about the world. She is right about that. But that’s also why I want the lifestyle change.
We are both 60 this year. The last 20 or so years I have been realizing that everything about our society is a con. Broken down, us regular folk are nothing but worker ants for the elites. Everything about our society is a conditioning that favors them by fobbing us off with crumbs. I’m most angry that because I can now clearly see this but I feel powerless to imagine a life that’s better that isn’t still within the constructs of that conditioning. I believe that a simpler life is likely a part of this, something native that’s focused on loved ones and harmony with nature. But I feel shackled.
Cindy, you have done something both brave and inspirational by sticking to your values at a personal cost to you. You are richer as a person despite its financial impacts.
thanks for your kind words.
I had a situation with my husband after Casey was killed--one day about three months after we buried him, I realized that the marriage/partnership was not working for me, anymore, and I had to move on from that, as well.
I am not advocating that you move on from your marriage, but, I am sending you all my best wishes!
A lot of my frustration is born from knowing that when we have quality time together away from the day to day environment, we have a blast.
My wife has a terrible childhood that I’m sure is responsible for her insecurities. And I don’t want to paint myself as some understanding savior, as I’m a long way from perfect.
I think I got some seeds planted in our latest blow up, I recognized the signs in her.
Simply put, my goal is to have as little regret as possible with what is left of our lives. Neither of us believe in an afterlife, so my current urgency revolves around “what are we waiting for?
Move to the woods, the peace and quiet is good for your soul.
I wish I had the resources; time, money, energy, to do this.
Like Thoreau did (but I understand he had so much help from his father, and community, as well)>
So True about "the woods"........ if the progreSSive demoncrazy is left behind.
Don't assume the Rural people are like the City people. A Yuuge Cultural Divide, if you get my drift.
Indeed. second that from rural Maine! (formerly Honolulu)
I was born in London, a true child of the city. Permanent rural lifestyle never really appealed because of my roots.
Now in Florida, 8 years ago we moved to the most rural part of Sarasota county. My dynamic changed. I realized that the next move I wanted was to be even more rural.
I’m not entirely sure though that this would still be the key after the bulk of my life having been brainwashed by the system. I struggle to switch my brain off. So I fear whatever the locale, would I ever completely escape?
There is no utopia, there are dumb rednecks and meth heads in my area, what you do have though is peace and quiet, and deep immersion in nature. I am convinced alienation from nature is a large part of what makes modern industrial societies so dire. Once you see a bear in your yard, you will never forget it.
"I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day." - E.B. White
That quote nicely summarizes my daily struggle, and speaks to your wonderful post, Cindy. I'm fortunate in that my wife of 35+ years shares my views on pretty much everyone, and I hers. We both have the same revolutionary political roots, and are both writers and creatives. So, again, I feel blessed and try never to be complacent about it.
That said, carving out times for meditation, walks, art, healthy food, and laughter help keep me relatively sane. Yet, I also embrace rage as a welcome companion to the murderous system and country I live in, as well as realizing that we all are living through the epic collapse of a toxic empire - and that causes even more pain. But will there be light at the end? That's the rub.
"But will there be light at the end? That's the rub." It is up to us to be and make that light, agree?
Totally agree! And let's pump up the wattage
I turn off the propaganda (news) to make space. 😐
me, too...
Yes, one of the worst things about my mom visiting is she likes to watch an hour of corporate propaganda news every night. I finally put my foot down and said no, that isn't happening, I didn't move to a wilderness area full of peace and quiet to be bombarded with a bunch of noisy pro war, pro censorship agitprop. We have actually come to peace with and compromise on watching old movies, which I can deal with.
I approach it as reconnaissance!
You are one of a kind and I am grateful I found you (again) in this oppressive time. Your writing is a homeopathic remedy to my soul which is sorely in need of it these strange dark days. Thank you🌸
This comment served as homeopathic healing for my soul, as well.
xoxo
C
Living simply is halving all you need. I've had lots of valuable belongings confiscated or pilfered and never recovered. I learned to place the highest value on my health and association with people who resist the economic ideology preventing the Common Good from attaining meaningful quality of Life.
"Love Conquers All"-- from Aeneas, the historic figure from Greco-Roman history
We need a lot less than we think.
Yeah, but some of us have a few acres of trees and a creek or two. Do we want three fuckers coming onto this Native Land to shoot up their fucking beer cans? Do we want them to ATV the grasses and shrubs to death? To shoot deer? Or build a fire into a forest fire?
We have rights, Cindy, so those are your values, and I understand the simplifying, but come on.
The USA and Jewish Cabal and Goyim Cabalists have vandalized the world.
With bombs, shovels, poisons and words. See how the fuckers are spitting on Gonzalo's grave.
Shit, I'm a what you call "real newspaper journalist of old," but I still have respect. Respect for murdered Lira.
Off topic, but fuck it.
Complete human stain, and those wanting the spit on the grave of Gonzalo Lira, may you have chop chop chop to your vocal cords and jugulars.
https://paulokirk.substack.com/p/no-julian-no-gary-webb-no-big-time
Golly, this so resonates with me these days. I've been striving for this simplification, and making room for beauty/peace/love/healing/reconciling, etc, especially since kovaids. What a scary, but necessary awakening for me, it's been so far. One thing I've been working on is not sweating the "small" stuff - letting annoyances go, not arguing or taking offense over little things that don't matter anyhow - things like that. Making time for prayer and expressions of gratitude has been helpful.
Thanks for writing this, Cindy. Blessings to you and yours.
Thank you Cindy! Keep spreading beauty, love and peace. I appreciate you so much. For me going on long hikes in the East Bay's wild spaces and connecting with other people (even if we don't agree on every issue!) and fanning the divine spark in each of us is what keeps me going. Plus being a grandmother is a huge blessing. <3 <3 <3
Yep, yep, yeppers.
I simplified a long time ago. Through the 70s and 80s I was working hard, volunteering for worthy causes, and even had some social life. Alcohol made it possible by detouring around my natural introvert tendencies.
When I stopped drinking.....WHAT THE FUCK HAVE I BEEN DOING?
All the work and worthy causes didn't improve the world, didn't change any lives, didn't bring respect or affection, didn't even bring enough money to buy respect and affection. After that I got cold and hard, just satisfying myself and God. Much easier and less frustrating.
My life since Casey died has been a continuous program of shedding shit AND I still have more to go!
peace
A note to my "Liberal" friends from an American Patriot: 2024 will Only be the End of the Beginning.
The 2020 Feral sElection Coup can Not Stand, Understand that this Current ProgreSSive Demoncrazy is all NWO Mother WEFers inside Both Political Parties.
Elected democRats are Bolsheviks, while Elected rinoRats are Quilisings. Both NeoCons supporting Moar War abroad, and Feral Tyranny at home.
If it takes CW, to Restore our Republic, So Be It. I Wish You All Well, but the Traitorous Ferals in DC and elsewhere will face their/them Reckoning.
Excellent post. On a deep level I suppose this is why I stopped considering myself to be a "left activist," a few years ago, is I wanted to be for something positive and creative in my own life, and not just against things. This doesn't mean I won't speak out against atrocities like the genocide in Gaza, it does mean that I am focused more on my writing, music and photography, after all if you life is consumed in fighting, what is it you are fighting for?
right!
Thank you for sharing this piece of you Cindy. I'm also trying to downsize, but "Don't waste" is hardwired into my psyche, from the time of WW2 as a 2-3 year old child and things were rationed. So, I try to think, "who would appreciate getting this?" It even applies to the postage paid return envelopes from the movement sources begging for money. So, I put appeals from party A in the the envelopes from party B etc.. There is so much competition, I just wish they would consolidate their silos and do pubic fundraisers by putting programs together instead of begging.
Present company (Cindy) excepted--one person is not an organization.