Thank you very much for this graceful and hopeful essay. I'm bookmaking it to read again when I wake up in the middle of the night worried for my country and for people everywhere who are prey to the politics of resentment and grievance.
95 percent of us would probably agree on most things if we started from the same set of facts. If we are willing to face some hard truths we can actually do that.
From another American who is ashamed, I thank you for sharing your perspective and for focusing on our shared humanity. It is not a zero sum game and those who think it is are clearly desperately trying to hang on. They will die off soon, and that’s why I still have hope.
I admire you, I admire other Americans like you. I have 2 children. I'm currently seeing us through another winter cold from this weather shift. The world is weird, the world is going through a bleak phase, the ground beneath our feet is shaky, but we hold fast and steady to those we love. We're in Florida, we have a small community, the school here protects its children and actively and intentionally provides an atmosphere where kindness is welcome, where innocence is treated like the treasure it is to human childhood.
Beautiful, Mike. Thank you, deeply. We do share an amazing journey, connected. From my seven decades, your words resonate with harmony... In the end, our legacy and peace lie in the friendships we create and nourish, not our projections of self doubt turned vengeance towards others. With gratitude 🙏
I say it over and over, and now you are saying it. Grievance is not philosophy, it is psychology. It is the state of mind abused by other unhealthy, immature souls -- an intergenerational syndrome. It is growing with malignant and petty algorithms, but most people still possess basic humanity. Grievance is giving up basic bodily wisdom in favor of rationalizations and making excuses for immature behavior, pretending to be tough or lovely when in our bones we are ordinary people deserving of dignity, tolerance, and compassion. When we give it, we honor it within ourselves.
Yes, you are right! Grievance is not philosophy, it is psychology! Unhealthy, immature souls have been passed down to humans from unhealthy souls. But most of the world's people have had heathy mentors! Even Jesus Christ understood that when he said, " Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do"! We are to teach them if possible.
Mike, I appreciate your words. I hope they ultimately prove true. I am otherwise too utterly livid at what the United States is doing to respond further.
Reading and watching you bare your soul, expose every part of your heart in what can be truly described as a service to this nation. It is as if, no wait as if isn’t the truth — you ARE speaking to all the sorrows that you feel and are not reticent to reveal. These things in bits in pieces are said at home by people who care deeply. But throughout your public journey you have described mounting despair out loud without fear — because you are a messenger.
Your horse is a desk, your lantern is a screen, your voice is shouting forth and you race through the towns and countryside with your warning — we are losing the very soul of this nation — rise up rise up the danger is here and now!
I especially like this paragraph: “Democracy is not the promise of agreement. It is the promise of a fair fight, conducted with words instead of weapons, resolved by counting heads instead of breaking them, and accepted by the losers with the knowledge that their turn will come again.”
I believe you’re right and since my thing is Heartminded parenting and since we’re wired for empathy, I see how important it’s to “move” the next generation from fear to solidarity. So thinking that the children will have to deal with the mistakes we made is really painful! Thanks
World! I am sorry for what the US is doing right now and deeply ashamed of and for my government. We are trying hard to right this wrong. Please don't write us off yet.
Thank you very much for this graceful and hopeful essay. I'm bookmaking it to read again when I wake up in the middle of the night worried for my country and for people everywhere who are prey to the politics of resentment and grievance.
95 percent of us would probably agree on most things if we started from the same set of facts. If we are willing to face some hard truths we can actually do that.
From another American who is ashamed, I thank you for sharing your perspective and for focusing on our shared humanity. It is not a zero sum game and those who think it is are clearly desperately trying to hang on. They will die off soon, and that’s why I still have hope.
I admire you, I admire other Americans like you. I have 2 children. I'm currently seeing us through another winter cold from this weather shift. The world is weird, the world is going through a bleak phase, the ground beneath our feet is shaky, but we hold fast and steady to those we love. We're in Florida, we have a small community, the school here protects its children and actively and intentionally provides an atmosphere where kindness is welcome, where innocence is treated like the treasure it is to human childhood.
What an eloquent, heartfelt column. You should write more, and find bigger audience.
Well said, Jill.
Beautiful, Mike. Thank you, deeply. We do share an amazing journey, connected. From my seven decades, your words resonate with harmony... In the end, our legacy and peace lie in the friendships we create and nourish, not our projections of self doubt turned vengeance towards others. With gratitude 🙏
You are absolutely right. Beautifully said.
I say it over and over, and now you are saying it. Grievance is not philosophy, it is psychology. It is the state of mind abused by other unhealthy, immature souls -- an intergenerational syndrome. It is growing with malignant and petty algorithms, but most people still possess basic humanity. Grievance is giving up basic bodily wisdom in favor of rationalizations and making excuses for immature behavior, pretending to be tough or lovely when in our bones we are ordinary people deserving of dignity, tolerance, and compassion. When we give it, we honor it within ourselves.
Yes, you are right! Grievance is not philosophy, it is psychology! Unhealthy, immature souls have been passed down to humans from unhealthy souls. But most of the world's people have had heathy mentors! Even Jesus Christ understood that when he said, " Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do"! We are to teach them if possible.
Yes, thankfully! It's essential that we rein in destructive algorithms to protect public mental health. Too many teeter on that precipice...
Thank You for the Trying.
Again and Again.
On and On.
Especially:
Thank You for your Expressions of Love.
For Democracy.
It’s Written Word.
It’s People.
It’s Past made Present.
By You.
To Detractors.
Like Me.
Pitch perfect.
Mike, I appreciate your words. I hope they ultimately prove true. I am otherwise too utterly livid at what the United States is doing to respond further.
Fair enough.
The future you describe depends on whether we can replace grievance with responsibility and empathy. I hope, and believe, we can.
Reading and watching you bare your soul, expose every part of your heart in what can be truly described as a service to this nation. It is as if, no wait as if isn’t the truth — you ARE speaking to all the sorrows that you feel and are not reticent to reveal. These things in bits in pieces are said at home by people who care deeply. But throughout your public journey you have described mounting despair out loud without fear — because you are a messenger.
Your horse is a desk, your lantern is a screen, your voice is shouting forth and you race through the towns and countryside with your warning — we are losing the very soul of this nation — rise up rise up the danger is here and now!
The hippie generation still lives and loves 😍 I mean in a more endearing and enduring sense!
I especially like this paragraph: “Democracy is not the promise of agreement. It is the promise of a fair fight, conducted with words instead of weapons, resolved by counting heads instead of breaking them, and accepted by the losers with the knowledge that their turn will come again.”
I believe you’re right and since my thing is Heartminded parenting and since we’re wired for empathy, I see how important it’s to “move” the next generation from fear to solidarity. So thinking that the children will have to deal with the mistakes we made is really painful! Thanks
World! I am sorry for what the US is doing right now and deeply ashamed of and for my government. We are trying hard to right this wrong. Please don't write us off yet.