Thank you so much for this, Gillian. This is just what I, and likely many others, needed. I plan to share it with my readers tomorrow. You will get an invite-- new tool on Substack. Love it.
Excellent , powerful message so perfect for this time/day, thank you Gillian. Like you I know the solutions and changes are what we can do in our agency and local connections.
That’s one message I keep hearing of late - embrace our community.
The governments of the world are clearly on some other agenda that doesn’t involve our wellbeing or welfare.
It’s definitely up to us to look out for each other, to love our neighbours and respect the environment. To create and appreciate art. To ‘stop and smell the roses’.
Clearly we are headed towards some kind of dystopian future, and I feel for my sons who will inherit the mess.
Thank you for this piece, Gillian.
It’s hard to stay positive when people like this are ushered into power.
In the words of Padmé Amidala in one of the Star Wars prequels:
‘… so this is how liberty dies; with thunderous applause…’
Thank you Maggie, that is a grim Star Wars quote, fascinating though that it is a pattern in humanity that is clear enough to be identified in fiction. I believe very strongly that a dystopian future is just one path of the paths ahead of us - while I am sure the future won’t look like what we have come to expect and may have grim parts, if enough of us build “worlds within worlds” (Alia’s words in comments here) or small islands of sanity in our areas of influence then the future could be truly beautiful, full of meaning and connection. I guess that is at the core of what I am writing about with L’il Bean - let’s choose a different path, it is still to be written!
Thank you Erik, I don’t know about wise! I spend a lot of the time thinking WTF is going on!?! If I have any wisdom, it is that I try to meet each day and each moment with curiosity and an open heart.
Thank you, Madeleine, for sharing your glimmers! Pumpkin bread with blueberries and chocolate sounds amazing! I love that so many of us are choosing to see glimmers, beautiful, ordinary glimmers on the day after US election day!
My friend. Thank you. I love you. Your thoughtful and heartfelt words shown like a beacon in the darkness and soothed my being. My glimmers in the midst: 1) Kamala Harris concession speech. THIS! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9FVB6-7BN0&list=RDNSd9FVB6-7BN0&start_radio=1 2) turning off all news and listening to music. I might have even danced with the pups in the kitchen. 🐶 3) a snow day where my client cancelled a directors retreat that I was to lead and I had a quiet day at home to retreat and take care of myself mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. 4) adding #4 and maybe the most important. Friends and important strangers reaching out to connect and make sure we are OK. One day, one moment. We are in this together. 💕
I love you too! I’m glad the words hit right. The snow day sounds wonderful, just the best sort of cocoon to regroup in - also dancing in the kitchen with pups - so good!
Yesterday our neighbor called and showed up with some beautiful yellow roses. It was completely unexpected and the flowers are brightening up a dark corner of our house. Thank goodness for beautiful neighbors and roses!
A wonderful post, Gillian. I saw the photo of Gina Rinehart at Trump's election party, and while it didn't surprise me, it was heavy. But you are so right... we can choose to see through the veil and work within our communities to create worlds within worlds. To foster and share knowledge and to care for each other and our planet. And to move forward with consideration and care, but not fear, because fear only brings out the worst in us.
Thank you Alia, yes Gina in Florida was the last straw, almost makes me want to vomit. Your words above are so perfect “we can choose to see through the veil and work within our communities to create worlds within worlds. To foster and share knowledge and to care for each other and our planet. And to move forward with consideration and care, but not fear, because fear only brings out the worst in us.” Thank you for reflecting that back for everyone. Especially ”worlds within worlds” - that is magic!
I love this sentiment, one of the best I’ve seen encapsulating the uncomfortableness of this moment while also actually describing a vision of what change can look like. Thank you for sharing.
Excellent piece Gillian. So many keywords resonated with me: "bottom-up social revival", "less time yelling at each other", "building things - small local things", "collaborating". Thanks! Taking action, any action, is my antidote to despair.
Thank you so much for this, Gillian. This is just what I, and likely many others, needed. I plan to share it with my readers tomorrow. You will get an invite-- new tool on Substack. Love it.
Thank you Sue, I’d be honoured if you would share it - I got the invite and accepted, that is a cool feature I didn’t know about!
Excellent , powerful message so perfect for this time/day, thank you Gillian. Like you I know the solutions and changes are what we can do in our agency and local connections.
I love the poem and the Turkish proverb.
We are Strong, we are are powerful, we are free 💖
Thank you for always being here - I love that our ideas bounce off each other back and forward across the globe!
That’s one message I keep hearing of late - embrace our community.
The governments of the world are clearly on some other agenda that doesn’t involve our wellbeing or welfare.
It’s definitely up to us to look out for each other, to love our neighbours and respect the environment. To create and appreciate art. To ‘stop and smell the roses’.
Clearly we are headed towards some kind of dystopian future, and I feel for my sons who will inherit the mess.
Thank you for this piece, Gillian.
It’s hard to stay positive when people like this are ushered into power.
In the words of Padmé Amidala in one of the Star Wars prequels:
‘… so this is how liberty dies; with thunderous applause…’
Thank you Maggie, that is a grim Star Wars quote, fascinating though that it is a pattern in humanity that is clear enough to be identified in fiction. I believe very strongly that a dystopian future is just one path of the paths ahead of us - while I am sure the future won’t look like what we have come to expect and may have grim parts, if enough of us build “worlds within worlds” (Alia’s words in comments here) or small islands of sanity in our areas of influence then the future could be truly beautiful, full of meaning and connection. I guess that is at the core of what I am writing about with L’il Bean - let’s choose a different path, it is still to be written!
Wow, that Turkish proverb. Powerful. You are wise, thanks for sharing your writing.
Thank you Erik, I don’t know about wise! I spend a lot of the time thinking WTF is going on!?! If I have any wisdom, it is that I try to meet each day and each moment with curiosity and an open heart.
Thank you! I needed this today.
You are welcome! I’m always so glad when my musing helps someone else too!
beautiful heart.
Thank you Ian.
Thanks Gill, every word here resonates like a bell
Thank you Sally, Thanks for always being here, I really appreciate the sense making you do too - it really helps me piece things together.
My glimmers today: pumpkin bread with blueberry chocolate chips; brilliant prairie afternoon sunshine; the love of friends.
Thank you, Madeleine, for sharing your glimmers! Pumpkin bread with blueberries and chocolate sounds amazing! I love that so many of us are choosing to see glimmers, beautiful, ordinary glimmers on the day after US election day!
So on point!
Thank you James! Thanks for popping in to say hi :)
My friend. Thank you. I love you. Your thoughtful and heartfelt words shown like a beacon in the darkness and soothed my being. My glimmers in the midst: 1) Kamala Harris concession speech. THIS! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9FVB6-7BN0&list=RDNSd9FVB6-7BN0&start_radio=1 2) turning off all news and listening to music. I might have even danced with the pups in the kitchen. 🐶 3) a snow day where my client cancelled a directors retreat that I was to lead and I had a quiet day at home to retreat and take care of myself mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically. 4) adding #4 and maybe the most important. Friends and important strangers reaching out to connect and make sure we are OK. One day, one moment. We are in this together. 💕
I love you too! I’m glad the words hit right. The snow day sounds wonderful, just the best sort of cocoon to regroup in - also dancing in the kitchen with pups - so good!
Yesterday our neighbor called and showed up with some beautiful yellow roses. It was completely unexpected and the flowers are brightening up a dark corner of our house. Thank goodness for beautiful neighbors and roses!
Exactly this Rafael, all the ordinary beautiful things bind us together, thank you for sharing the story of your roses.
Yesterday the same neighbor showed up with lunches for my wife and me. We don’t get Meals on Wheels but sometimes we get Meals on Heels!
The marketing gurus will love Meals on Heels! Thank you for the chuckle!
Thanks for the little lift from your thoughtful essay and Rebecca’s lovely poem. Peace to you and all your dear ones!
Glad to provide a little lift! Thank you for letting me know.
A wonderful post, Gillian. I saw the photo of Gina Rinehart at Trump's election party, and while it didn't surprise me, it was heavy. But you are so right... we can choose to see through the veil and work within our communities to create worlds within worlds. To foster and share knowledge and to care for each other and our planet. And to move forward with consideration and care, but not fear, because fear only brings out the worst in us.
Thank you Alia, yes Gina in Florida was the last straw, almost makes me want to vomit. Your words above are so perfect “we can choose to see through the veil and work within our communities to create worlds within worlds. To foster and share knowledge and to care for each other and our planet. And to move forward with consideration and care, but not fear, because fear only brings out the worst in us.” Thank you for reflecting that back for everyone. Especially ”worlds within worlds” - that is magic!
I love this sentiment, one of the best I’ve seen encapsulating the uncomfortableness of this moment while also actually describing a vision of what change can look like. Thank you for sharing.
You are welcome Eden, I love that it was the right thing at the right time for you!
Excellent piece Gillian. So many keywords resonated with me: "bottom-up social revival", "less time yelling at each other", "building things - small local things", "collaborating". Thanks! Taking action, any action, is my antidote to despair.
Thank you, Ron. I’m glad it resonated. You are so right. Action absolutely is the key to agency and possibility.
Just beautiful! Thank you, Gillian. x
You’re welcome my friend!
I love this
Thank you Kate.