I found myself nodding yes as I read this essay. Once again you got into my mind and expressed everything that I think in such a profound way. And in a way that I could never convey. Putting the words to the feelings is a gift you have. Thank you for that.
Wow, thank you. I feel daily like I need to reassure myself that life does not need to go back to the crazy fast paced way of before times. I have to remind myself and my family that we don’t have to do things the way we think society says we “should” - we know ourselves now and that strength will carry us through to living our truth and doing the next right thing. I think I will read your essay a few mornings in a row to build that muscle. Many thanks and much love.
Thank you as always. Your broadcasts and essays always stimulate my thinking, help me ground, and open me to the world beyond my yard and neighborhood. I feel like I've been treading water in a rather awkward, splashy way trying to figure out what I can do in the world now given my health condition, new stage in life of being retired and my grandparent status. I so appreciate your thoughts and knowledge.
Your essays are inspiring, often validating - but most importantly (and I don't know why) they are cathartic. No matter the topic, I sit here in tears reading what you share. Every single time.
“ending systems that ruin instead of renew us, to ending violence in favor of peace.” <- YES. There is much work to do just to share this message. So many cannot imagine this world, mostly because they are not tuned into the possibilities. We can change that.
'She understood that the hardest times in life to go through were when you were transitioning from one version of yourself to another' ~ Sarah Addison Allen
Indeed it is a moment of awakening. Have also reflected on my core beliefs, are that still true? Have been let down by close friends whom I thought I knew and shared similar beliefs. For 25 years now since I my trip to New Zealand I wear a Maori carved jade necklace that represents "For every ending is a new beginning". It resonates with who I am...to embrace change. As George Harrison wrote " All things must pass". It's true. Some days I crank that song!!
We evolve discover our essence. Your presence and knowledge and passion for equality is so needed in this world however you choose to use it. I look forward to your evolution, our evolution.
Thank you once again ECM for verbalizing what and how I am doing and feeling. Not only did the last 18 months change us, the years since election night 2016 changed me tremendously and not necessarily for the better either. As a disability advocate I was busy and very involved in that arena since 2011. I was not aware of just how much my life was effective by the “always has and/or will be the ‘former White House squatter.’” Many good things have come out of the last 5 years including the pandemic however. I too am doing what you’re doing ECM. Taking the gift of patience and time to heal the hurt, breathe and grow. I’m astounded that I thought I had conquered over death, my old lifelong understanding of my new world . I did NOT think that mendacity, anger and fear would conquer over my attitude and understanding since June 2009. I’m so very grateful for you, the whole of the “Resistance” and of RISE. I’m finding myself to be back to the place of renewal once again. My anger has been replaced with a understanding of what “Community” really means and how important that is to me. I’m hoping that this “rebirth” of all of us will continue to change the world. Less busyness replaced with action. The kind that continues to reveal to all that we are changed. . . for the betterment of ourselves, our government and our world. Thank you for guiding us Elizabeth even though you were like all of us of finding our way through and out of this darkness. It takes a certain strength to carry forward despite doing so in the dark. You are a flashlight in the din. Blessings to you, your family and our Community.
Spot on, ECM. As always, spot on. Looking forward to receiving my (preordered) book. You have led me through these uncharted waters, & my very soul thanks you.
This is a compelling post-pandemic Manifesto... you've captured what many of us (including myself) have sensed and are feeling, but haven't articulated, even to ourselves, as clearly as you've done here. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the beginning of a transformation that we as individuals and hopefully as a country will look back on as one of the most meaningful, impactful periods of our lives.
I seem to appreciate each subsequent essay more than the last - how is that possible? You so eloquently encapsulate the feelings of many of us, who feel we are no longer the same people coming out of the pandemic. It sounds as though you especially are feeling the pull of your political activism, and now in your newfound secondary (or, maybe primary?) career of writing. You are, quite simply, a marvel, Elizabeth. I am so very grateful, and blessed, to have found my way to your orbit in early 2017. ♥
So much of this resonates with me. I feel like we've been in our houses while an 18 month hurricane raged. We couldn't go out with the danger of flying debris, trees falling over and endless flooding. Now we can peek out. The wind has died down and the waters are receding. It was full blown long term trauma and we are not the same person. As we step out into the sunshine we are still wary, look around to make sure it is still safe. The transformation is complete while we hunkered down endlessly waiting, waiting for the storm to pass. This is where we are now and we resemble nothing like who we were beforehand.
I find myself doing that same sort of purging in my life, of things, and unhelpful thinking and also, reevaluating who I want to be as I move forward.
And OMG GRRL!!! Nearly a year sober, during all of this??? You are a rockstar!
Love you!
We are doing the same here. We are at a different life stage but still reevaluating what is important. It's is enlightening, exciting and emotional.
awesome, you put into words what I am feeling...thank you...
I found myself nodding yes as I read this essay. Once again you got into my mind and expressed everything that I think in such a profound way. And in a way that I could never convey. Putting the words to the feelings is a gift you have. Thank you for that.
Wow, thank you. I feel daily like I need to reassure myself that life does not need to go back to the crazy fast paced way of before times. I have to remind myself and my family that we don’t have to do things the way we think society says we “should” - we know ourselves now and that strength will carry us through to living our truth and doing the next right thing. I think I will read your essay a few mornings in a row to build that muscle. Many thanks and much love.
Thank you as always. Your broadcasts and essays always stimulate my thinking, help me ground, and open me to the world beyond my yard and neighborhood. I feel like I've been treading water in a rather awkward, splashy way trying to figure out what I can do in the world now given my health condition, new stage in life of being retired and my grandparent status. I so appreciate your thoughts and knowledge.
Your essays are inspiring, often validating - but most importantly (and I don't know why) they are cathartic. No matter the topic, I sit here in tears reading what you share. Every single time.
“ending systems that ruin instead of renew us, to ending violence in favor of peace.” <- YES. There is much work to do just to share this message. So many cannot imagine this world, mostly because they are not tuned into the possibilities. We can change that.
'She understood that the hardest times in life to go through were when you were transitioning from one version of yourself to another' ~ Sarah Addison Allen
Indeed it is a moment of awakening. Have also reflected on my core beliefs, are that still true? Have been let down by close friends whom I thought I knew and shared similar beliefs. For 25 years now since I my trip to New Zealand I wear a Maori carved jade necklace that represents "For every ending is a new beginning". It resonates with who I am...to embrace change. As George Harrison wrote " All things must pass". It's true. Some days I crank that song!!
We evolve discover our essence. Your presence and knowledge and passion for equality is so needed in this world however you choose to use it. I look forward to your evolution, our evolution.
Namaste.
Thank you once again ECM for verbalizing what and how I am doing and feeling. Not only did the last 18 months change us, the years since election night 2016 changed me tremendously and not necessarily for the better either. As a disability advocate I was busy and very involved in that arena since 2011. I was not aware of just how much my life was effective by the “always has and/or will be the ‘former White House squatter.’” Many good things have come out of the last 5 years including the pandemic however. I too am doing what you’re doing ECM. Taking the gift of patience and time to heal the hurt, breathe and grow. I’m astounded that I thought I had conquered over death, my old lifelong understanding of my new world . I did NOT think that mendacity, anger and fear would conquer over my attitude and understanding since June 2009. I’m so very grateful for you, the whole of the “Resistance” and of RISE. I’m finding myself to be back to the place of renewal once again. My anger has been replaced with a understanding of what “Community” really means and how important that is to me. I’m hoping that this “rebirth” of all of us will continue to change the world. Less busyness replaced with action. The kind that continues to reveal to all that we are changed. . . for the betterment of ourselves, our government and our world. Thank you for guiding us Elizabeth even though you were like all of us of finding our way through and out of this darkness. It takes a certain strength to carry forward despite doing so in the dark. You are a flashlight in the din. Blessings to you, your family and our Community.
Spot on, ECM. As always, spot on. Looking forward to receiving my (preordered) book. You have led me through these uncharted waters, & my very soul thanks you.
This is a compelling post-pandemic Manifesto... you've captured what many of us (including myself) have sensed and are feeling, but haven't articulated, even to ourselves, as clearly as you've done here. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the beginning of a transformation that we as individuals and hopefully as a country will look back on as one of the most meaningful, impactful periods of our lives.
I seem to appreciate each subsequent essay more than the last - how is that possible? You so eloquently encapsulate the feelings of many of us, who feel we are no longer the same people coming out of the pandemic. It sounds as though you especially are feeling the pull of your political activism, and now in your newfound secondary (or, maybe primary?) career of writing. You are, quite simply, a marvel, Elizabeth. I am so very grateful, and blessed, to have found my way to your orbit in early 2017. ♥
So much of this resonates with me. I feel like we've been in our houses while an 18 month hurricane raged. We couldn't go out with the danger of flying debris, trees falling over and endless flooding. Now we can peek out. The wind has died down and the waters are receding. It was full blown long term trauma and we are not the same person. As we step out into the sunshine we are still wary, look around to make sure it is still safe. The transformation is complete while we hunkered down endlessly waiting, waiting for the storm to pass. This is where we are now and we resemble nothing like who we were beforehand.