Thank you, Michell. This piece is beautiful. I think people who experience chronic pain/illness learn that comparing suffering is pointless, and I appreciate that you have addressed this with such compassion and honesty and I hope that it will help others to understand too. Suffering is suffering. We’re better served by supporting each other in whatever ways we can. Thank you for being a light in these heavy times.
Thank you so, so much Laci. I didn't think of the connection to what chronic pain taught me until you mentioned it, but that rings true. Sending you love!
Substack offered up your words to me today… sometimes the algorithm does some good :)
I’m a subscriber to @sarahwilson who has written a book about collapse, in instalments, with wonderful, deep, difficult conversations in the comments following each chapter.
The conclusion after facing many painful truths is that what really matters is our humanity, what we can do for each other amidst the chaos and uncertainty.
This is second piece in a row that I've read advocating for both/and. I truly believe this is the mindset that may save us, if we can just get it spread far and wide enough until it reaches critical mass. Thank you for doing your part. I'm glad I found you. 💚
Michelle, you have woven together, so succinctly and powerfully, the many threads that make up the times we are living in. I am grateful to have come across your words. They are a lamp lighting my way forward through this darkness.
This encompasses so much of where I am and I’m thankful that you’ve shared this work so I can have more language to describe how I’ve been feeling. This, too, is how we do the work. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us all.
“The systems of oppression operating globally are connected to those operating locally.”
These are powerful, and accurate words. The macro is reflected in the micro, and vice versa. We see these nested systems everywhere, and yet so many people remain blind to them.
For those looking for a place to start, I always say ‘start with the ground you know’ and ‘do what brings you closer to Creator.’ Whatever impact you have within the nested system will ripple out, so make your ripples and waves healing.
Well said, and thought through. My nerve system has been on high alert for so long … and the broken connection to others makes it all worse. I am not ashamed to say it is too much. 🧚♂️
Amazing words! You are correct, many of us feel we’re not doing enough, followed by shame and guilt. On top of the pain and sadness from the unending stream of horrors we call the news, it can overwhelm us! I’ve struggled many times.
Your words gave me hope and some relief that I am not alone in my feelings. 💜
I always appreciate your perspective and candor. You are 100% correct. We were never made to navigate all of THIS emotionally, physically, mentally, or spiritually. I agree with you to the extent that we have to recognize what this is doing to ourselves and find coping mechanisms so as not to implode. I have found a way. It’s a release and surrender because understanding the “why” is the first step. It’s actually scriptural. Jeremiah 10:23, 1 John 5:19, Revelation 12:9, 12; 2 Timothy 3:1-5. This explains the “why.” The how is recognizing this and sharing the only solution to the problem which is a global government ruled by love where selfishness, wickedness, pain, & suffering & death no longer exists. Jesus preached “good news” about it and taught his followers to pray for it Matt 6:9; 24:1-14 and what we see in amplified technicolor shows it’s hold on our world is close at hand. I pray for it, share its hope with others like he did, and stay “awake,” focused and prepared for its full ascendancy. Daniel 2:44; psalm 37:10, 11, 29.🙏🏽
Love, love, mega love!!! This landed so gently but firmly: ‘Before we had the internet, and 40-hour work weeks, we had each other. We had shoulders to cry on. We processed trauma together, shared resources, and found meaning in collective resilience. This is our inheritance.
We need connection and community, more than ever.’
Thank you, Michell. This piece is beautiful. I think people who experience chronic pain/illness learn that comparing suffering is pointless, and I appreciate that you have addressed this with such compassion and honesty and I hope that it will help others to understand too. Suffering is suffering. We’re better served by supporting each other in whatever ways we can. Thank you for being a light in these heavy times.
Thank you so, so much Laci. I didn't think of the connection to what chronic pain taught me until you mentioned it, but that rings true. Sending you love!
Damn.
“Our nervous systems never consented to this arrangement.”
Perfectly said.
“We were made to support each other through impossible times.”
I truly believe that, even on days I can't remember how.
Thank you for articulating what so many of us are feeling.
thank you so much for hearing me, Ken
That part on community 👏🏾 A shoulder to cry on is always better than a screen to stare (or scream) at
a FACT
Substack offered up your words to me today… sometimes the algorithm does some good :)
I’m a subscriber to @sarahwilson who has written a book about collapse, in instalments, with wonderful, deep, difficult conversations in the comments following each chapter.
The conclusion after facing many painful truths is that what really matters is our humanity, what we can do for each other amidst the chaos and uncertainty.
Reassuring to read that same message here also.
Thank you 🙏
I appreciate you for hearing me! 🙏🏾
Brilliant and so true.
Thank you so much!
This is second piece in a row that I've read advocating for both/and. I truly believe this is the mindset that may save us, if we can just get it spread far and wide enough until it reaches critical mass. Thank you for doing your part. I'm glad I found you. 💚
Thank you so much for hearing me
Michelle, you have woven together, so succinctly and powerfully, the many threads that make up the times we are living in. I am grateful to have come across your words. They are a lamp lighting my way forward through this darkness.
Thank you so much, Helen 🙏🏾
This encompasses so much of where I am and I’m thankful that you’ve shared this work so I can have more language to describe how I’ve been feeling. This, too, is how we do the work. Thank you so much for sharing your heart with us all.
I deeply appreciate you, Kelisha 🙏🏾
“The systems of oppression operating globally are connected to those operating locally.”
These are powerful, and accurate words. The macro is reflected in the micro, and vice versa. We see these nested systems everywhere, and yet so many people remain blind to them.
For those looking for a place to start, I always say ‘start with the ground you know’ and ‘do what brings you closer to Creator.’ Whatever impact you have within the nested system will ripple out, so make your ripples and waves healing.
Well said. Thank you, Jen!
Beautifully said!
Thank you!
Well said, and thought through. My nerve system has been on high alert for so long … and the broken connection to others makes it all worse. I am not ashamed to say it is too much. 🧚♂️
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
"But our brains and bodies were never equipped to bear witness to so much pain, ...
across such vast distances,
in such relentless succession.
There is no evolutionary precedent for this level off global awareness."
So glad you voiced this.
This needs saying.
We are in some kind of hyper-crazy - land.
Observing, witnessing this unrelenting harm like a ceaseless rolling thunderstorm does not have a precedent,no.
The impotence of that.
Being forced to comply with that.
This is some kind of collective nightmare, a trance-state.
This will lead to a collective psychosis.
Because we're voiceless.
Thank you.
Thank you for hearing me, and for affirming some of the thoughts I’ve been wrestling with
Absolutely, and me too, am glad you wrote it.
Love this, believe in this, and love you and believe in you 🙏🏼✨✨✨
🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Amazing words! You are correct, many of us feel we’re not doing enough, followed by shame and guilt. On top of the pain and sadness from the unending stream of horrors we call the news, it can overwhelm us! I’ve struggled many times.
Your words gave me hope and some relief that I am not alone in my feelings. 💜
Thank you so much, Jenyfer—I can relate to what you’re going through
I always appreciate your perspective and candor. You are 100% correct. We were never made to navigate all of THIS emotionally, physically, mentally, or spiritually. I agree with you to the extent that we have to recognize what this is doing to ourselves and find coping mechanisms so as not to implode. I have found a way. It’s a release and surrender because understanding the “why” is the first step. It’s actually scriptural. Jeremiah 10:23, 1 John 5:19, Revelation 12:9, 12; 2 Timothy 3:1-5. This explains the “why.” The how is recognizing this and sharing the only solution to the problem which is a global government ruled by love where selfishness, wickedness, pain, & suffering & death no longer exists. Jesus preached “good news” about it and taught his followers to pray for it Matt 6:9; 24:1-14 and what we see in amplified technicolor shows it’s hold on our world is close at hand. I pray for it, share its hope with others like he did, and stay “awake,” focused and prepared for its full ascendancy. Daniel 2:44; psalm 37:10, 11, 29.🙏🏽
Love, love, mega love!!! This landed so gently but firmly: ‘Before we had the internet, and 40-hour work weeks, we had each other. We had shoulders to cry on. We processed trauma together, shared resources, and found meaning in collective resilience. This is our inheritance.
We need connection and community, more than ever.’