It's a dizzying sensation, the thought that hits you randomly: that standing there on the platform, if you just reached out brusquely, with moderate force, you could topple the person next to you onto the tracks below.
"rules are rules" is a power trip employed by the weak. they get so used to people doing what they tell them that noncompliance itself is often enough to drop them in their tracks.
so glad you and your little owl were able to avoid the snipers on the west side highway. that's a real-life halloween!
Thank you for this! Noncompliance is indeed more powerful than we, the heretics, realize! And yes, not a Halloween experience I would repeat!!! Thank you for your kind words.
It is just 8am here in Switzerland and I am sure that with the passing day, I won't come across anything more beautiful than your essay. I also feel like it was me thinking and speaking the same words....we even love the same children's authors and have read the same books. Thank you for opening your heart and mind, and sharing it with us. I am one of those who can also not stay quiet..once a rebel. forever a rebel. And, especially since I'm a forever teacher of children, and know that they represent all that is good in the world. I'm so much richer in spirit from working with them all. I was very vocal the last three years in my small part of the world, but was also gobsmacked at the level of conformity and laziness on display. I lost both friends and family to the complete madness, but I got closer to my essence, which I consider to be the best gift I have ever received. I will keep holding the light...and asking others to do the same. Blessings from a beautiful town on Lake Zürich.
Thank you for these gorgeous words, Eileen! And thank you for the beauty you yourself have been putting out into the world! Blessings to a fellow rebel who honors the same teachers I do--the children...
You're so incredibly kind, my dear. And of course I can't even publish an essay without linking to you, who have taught me so much and also inspired me so immensely...
Thank you for one of the most beautiful essays I’ve had the pleasure of reading. What you’ve captured & the language you use to describe it is utterly stunning!
This is so beautifully written. And what a breath of fresh air to hear some seemingly small and yet powerful ways that we can fight for the truth and stand against the tyranny. Thank you so very much for this encouragement.
Thank you for these kind words! I am always grateful when the people I read and admire give me hope, and there is so much reason to believe we will get to a better world!
Over the past few years, my mind has been spinning constantly with all of the same thoughts and questions you so beautifully lay out in your essay. I too am accused by my family and friends of caring too much, probing too much and trying to connect too many dots. I can’t tell you how much your words resonate with my experiences. You are like a kindred spirit. I no longer feel like a lone voice out here in the wilderness. I know there are many like us. Keep writing and we will all find each other and shine the light.
I love this! Yes! And thank you for caring "too much!" The strength of your love is helpful to all, because it is the light that we all must be guided by.
I really loved reading your essay. For me it is a poignant reminder that every decision and every choice I make is of critical importance and just to do what is good, always.
🗨 Stripped of physical imprisonment and violent reaction, anger is the purest form of care; the internal living flame of anger always illuminates what we belong to, what we wish to protect and what we are willing to hazard ourselves for. 🔸 What we have named as anger on the surface is the violent outer response to our own inner powerlessness, a powerlessness connected to such a profound sense of rawness and care that it can find no proper outer body or identity or voice, or way of life to hold it. 🔸 Our anger breaks to the surface most often through our feeling there is something profoundly wrong with this powerlessness and vulnerability... Anger in its pure state is the measure of the way we are implicated in the world and made vulnerable through love in all its specifics.
🗨 Forgiveness is a skill, a way of preserving clarity, sanity and generosity in an individual life, a beautiful way of shaping the mind to a future we want for ourselves.🔹 To forgive is to put oneself in a larger gravitational field of experience than the one that first seemed to hurt us.
↑↑ That’s David Whyte; seems he knew a thing or two 😊
🗨 So, be kind. Be very grateful that you can see more truth than most.[...] And if you can handle that, be grateful for that as well. And patient and non-judgemental for those who can't. You, and others like you, are an anomaly in the overall human condition.
(If resonates, run the scroll wheel down that thread 😊)
Thank you, Marissa! I'm sure we did! It took a while in the beginning, but I pretty quickly found the people who have also been living the same things and striving for the same goodness.
This is such a beautiful essay. Your voice, along with others who share your concerns, can help bring about change and push for rational policies that are based on true science, not irrational fear-mongering. Now the pandemic seems to be over, but damages due to pandemic policy is long lasting. We need meaningful dialogue, reflection to bring positive change to secure future for next generation.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for the impact you had on my life. We lived in the same apartment building about 15 years ago. My daughter Joey was your piano student and I can still remember the positive impact you had on her musical abilities and her love for music. Your passion and dedication to teaching has stayed with her to this day, and she still plays the piano as a hobby. Joey is now a sophomore (biology major) at Wellesley College. She also works as an undergraduate research intern at MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. She is dreaming of becoming a doctor and/or doing medical research one day.
Again, thank you for being rational, brave, all the qualities we desperately need at this uncertain times. And thank you for staying strong!
Oh, Xi, this message made me cry! I am overjoyed to hear how Joey has blossomed and continues her music. And your kind words moved me so much. I'm thrilled you found me again through my writing, and please tell Joey I remember her fondly and am so happy that she is doing so well. This message was one of the biggest gifts I have received. Many, many thanks!
This is a gorgeously written powerhouse of an essay...
It succeeds in encapsulating the essential parameters of the multi-faceted predicament now facing those of us with the eyes (and moral backbone) to see.
The clear gaze that is cast on the stunning evil in our midst - and the unfathomable acceptance thereof by our peers - at this precarious hour will galvanise the hearts and minds of many who read this.
"It is the innocuous-seeming apathy that leads to moral corruption and to the acceptance of evil."
Bravo! That's IT in a nutshell.
Thank you for producing this pearl that God-willing shall reverberate far and wide...
Your comment overwhelmed me. Thank you for these kind words!!! I of course have the wish that those who have not been questioning and seeing might actually read it...
"But I have the belief that when the universe generously gives you an excess of a certain quality (in her case, intellect), it is your duty to use it."
When talking about the damage from trauma, please don't make the assumption that those who have been raised in 'comfortable' life styles wouldn't have been traumatised. The most difficult trauma to deal with happens before we are cognitive, before we can talk, so we don't remember it. It often happens by well meaning parents - but culturally we do not know how to listen to and respond to an infant's needs, and the importance of being able to do that. Our bodies learn before our minds, and if a baby's body is not having it's needs met, will it learn to trust that it will get what it needs? And repeated trauma can shut down the body, so that when 'cognitive' kicks in, it takes over, and we may stop listening to what our body is telling us, and yet be aware that there is something not right. Then we may make ourselves feel OK by any number of distractions for momentary 'happiness' - shopping, work, drugs, sex, making money, whatever....only you get to know the motivations for why you do what you do. I love to imagine what our culture would be like if we didn't have traumatic motivations!!
I totally agree! And a writer like Tessa has explored such themes a lot. All the more reason to bid people wake up to break the cycles of trauma, including the subtle ones that affect people early.
so much to unpack here. this is fire.
"rules are rules" is a power trip employed by the weak. they get so used to people doing what they tell them that noncompliance itself is often enough to drop them in their tracks.
so glad you and your little owl were able to avoid the snipers on the west side highway. that's a real-life halloween!
Thank you for this! Noncompliance is indeed more powerful than we, the heretics, realize! And yes, not a Halloween experience I would repeat!!! Thank you for your kind words.
It is just 8am here in Switzerland and I am sure that with the passing day, I won't come across anything more beautiful than your essay. I also feel like it was me thinking and speaking the same words....we even love the same children's authors and have read the same books. Thank you for opening your heart and mind, and sharing it with us. I am one of those who can also not stay quiet..once a rebel. forever a rebel. And, especially since I'm a forever teacher of children, and know that they represent all that is good in the world. I'm so much richer in spirit from working with them all. I was very vocal the last three years in my small part of the world, but was also gobsmacked at the level of conformity and laziness on display. I lost both friends and family to the complete madness, but I got closer to my essence, which I consider to be the best gift I have ever received. I will keep holding the light...and asking others to do the same. Blessings from a beautiful town on Lake Zürich.
Thank you for these gorgeous words, Eileen! And thank you for the beauty you yourself have been putting out into the world! Blessings to a fellow rebel who honors the same teachers I do--the children...
I need to read it several times to enjoy the full beauty of it. You remain an inspiration, my dear!
You're so incredibly kind, my dear. And of course I can't even publish an essay without linking to you, who have taught me so much and also inspired me so immensely...
And you!! Taught me so much and inspired me immensely :)
And of course, thank you!!
Thank you for one of the most beautiful essays I’ve had the pleasure of reading. What you’ve captured & the language you use to describe it is utterly stunning!
I am so touched by your comment and very grateful for your words! I'm glad the piece resonated with you!
This is so beautifully written. And what a breath of fresh air to hear some seemingly small and yet powerful ways that we can fight for the truth and stand against the tyranny. Thank you so very much for this encouragement.
Thank you for these kind words! I am always grateful when the people I read and admire give me hope, and there is so much reason to believe we will get to a better world!
Over the past few years, my mind has been spinning constantly with all of the same thoughts and questions you so beautifully lay out in your essay. I too am accused by my family and friends of caring too much, probing too much and trying to connect too many dots. I can’t tell you how much your words resonate with my experiences. You are like a kindred spirit. I no longer feel like a lone voice out here in the wilderness. I know there are many like us. Keep writing and we will all find each other and shine the light.
I love this! Yes! And thank you for caring "too much!" The strength of your love is helpful to all, because it is the light that we all must be guided by.
I really loved reading your essay. For me it is a poignant reminder that every decision and every choice I make is of critical importance and just to do what is good, always.
Thank you for your kind words! And yes! We all have to believe we are more powerful than they want us to believe. Because we are.
🗨 Stripped of physical imprisonment and violent reaction, anger is the purest form of care; the internal living flame of anger always illuminates what we belong to, what we wish to protect and what we are willing to hazard ourselves for. 🔸 What we have named as anger on the surface is the violent outer response to our own inner powerlessness, a powerlessness connected to such a profound sense of rawness and care that it can find no proper outer body or identity or voice, or way of life to hold it. 🔸 Our anger breaks to the surface most often through our feeling there is something profoundly wrong with this powerlessness and vulnerability... Anger in its pure state is the measure of the way we are implicated in the world and made vulnerable through love in all its specifics.
🗨 Forgiveness is a skill, a way of preserving clarity, sanity and generosity in an individual life, a beautiful way of shaping the mind to a future we want for ourselves.🔹 To forgive is to put oneself in a larger gravitational field of experience than the one that first seemed to hurt us.
↑↑ That’s David Whyte; seems he knew a thing or two 😊
I love this. Thank you for sharing!!!
An erstwhile comment stuck with me fast; you might want to check it out --> cjhopkins.substack.com/p/news-from-cj-hopkins-and-consent-2fd/comment/11451522 👌
Especially the elephantine takeaway ↓↓
🗨 So, be kind. Be very grateful that you can see more truth than most.[...] And if you can handle that, be grateful for that as well. And patient and non-judgemental for those who can't. You, and others like you, are an anomaly in the overall human condition.
(If resonates, run the scroll wheel down that thread 😊)
I will check it out, thank you!
Thank you for writing this piece ! Very well written and provides hope for us all
Thank you! Hope is essential. It does not have to be intangible...
Loved reading this!! You expressed exactly what I am feeling. I feel like we lived the same lives for the past 3 years.
Thank you, Marissa! I'm sure we did! It took a while in the beginning, but I pretty quickly found the people who have also been living the same things and striving for the same goodness.
This is such a beautiful essay. Your voice, along with others who share your concerns, can help bring about change and push for rational policies that are based on true science, not irrational fear-mongering. Now the pandemic seems to be over, but damages due to pandemic policy is long lasting. We need meaningful dialogue, reflection to bring positive change to secure future for next generation.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for the impact you had on my life. We lived in the same apartment building about 15 years ago. My daughter Joey was your piano student and I can still remember the positive impact you had on her musical abilities and her love for music. Your passion and dedication to teaching has stayed with her to this day, and she still plays the piano as a hobby. Joey is now a sophomore (biology major) at Wellesley College. She also works as an undergraduate research intern at MIT Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. She is dreaming of becoming a doctor and/or doing medical research one day.
Again, thank you for being rational, brave, all the qualities we desperately need at this uncertain times. And thank you for staying strong!
Oh, Xi, this message made me cry! I am overjoyed to hear how Joey has blossomed and continues her music. And your kind words moved me so much. I'm thrilled you found me again through my writing, and please tell Joey I remember her fondly and am so happy that she is doing so well. This message was one of the biggest gifts I have received. Many, many thanks!
This is a gorgeously written powerhouse of an essay...
It succeeds in encapsulating the essential parameters of the multi-faceted predicament now facing those of us with the eyes (and moral backbone) to see.
The clear gaze that is cast on the stunning evil in our midst - and the unfathomable acceptance thereof by our peers - at this precarious hour will galvanise the hearts and minds of many who read this.
"It is the innocuous-seeming apathy that leads to moral corruption and to the acceptance of evil."
Bravo! That's IT in a nutshell.
Thank you for producing this pearl that God-willing shall reverberate far and wide...
Your comment overwhelmed me. Thank you for these kind words!!! I of course have the wish that those who have not been questioning and seeing might actually read it...
Found you though Tessa. Such an impactful essay! I was spellbound start to finish.
That is so kind, thank you!!!
It’s a solid anti gaslighting without being too judge mental of “the other.“ It’s good to help with the processing of 2020-2022
"But I have the belief that when the universe generously gives you an excess of a certain quality (in her case, intellect), it is your duty to use it."
I'm on the floor! 💯💥✊🏾
HA! Thank you! Indeed. We all have our gifts and we owe it to a more beautiful world to use them!
When talking about the damage from trauma, please don't make the assumption that those who have been raised in 'comfortable' life styles wouldn't have been traumatised. The most difficult trauma to deal with happens before we are cognitive, before we can talk, so we don't remember it. It often happens by well meaning parents - but culturally we do not know how to listen to and respond to an infant's needs, and the importance of being able to do that. Our bodies learn before our minds, and if a baby's body is not having it's needs met, will it learn to trust that it will get what it needs? And repeated trauma can shut down the body, so that when 'cognitive' kicks in, it takes over, and we may stop listening to what our body is telling us, and yet be aware that there is something not right. Then we may make ourselves feel OK by any number of distractions for momentary 'happiness' - shopping, work, drugs, sex, making money, whatever....only you get to know the motivations for why you do what you do. I love to imagine what our culture would be like if we didn't have traumatic motivations!!
I totally agree! And a writer like Tessa has explored such themes a lot. All the more reason to bid people wake up to break the cycles of trauma, including the subtle ones that affect people early.