Jun 18, 2022·edited Jun 18, 2022Liked by Wendi Gordon
I like those quotes. Knowing who said them and their life stories offers hope and challenges me as well I want to experience the peace and hope they radiate. I find along with the quotes listening to the stories of other people's lives and seeing that they are kind and compassionate and can laugh gives me hope and that little engine who thought it could was right ordinary people do it all the time and I'm ordinary so I can too. And compassionate is my goal in life!!
Yes, I want to be more compassionate too, and also less judgmental and critical of myself and others. Certain politicians are making it difficult for me to not be judgmental and critical of them though!
Jun 18, 2022·edited Jun 18, 2022Liked by Wendi Gordon
I don't think judging or criticism means I'm hopeless. I do it all the time!! I can reject their ideas and condemn their actions but I don't have to dismiss them as human beings. Flawed human beings!! Then I go to the absurd..... Maybe their shoes are too tight or they have a headache. They can be different I can be different. That renews my hope. Of course the universe may need to take them down a peg or two so they can face their fears that shape their ideas and actions, just like I have. And I pray, sitting in the silence brings me back to my belief that things can change for the better. Hope!
Great insight about our fears shaping our ideas and actions, and how that applies to the people whose ideas and actions appall me too! I agree that the key is to reject ideas and actions that harm others but not reject or deny the humanity of the people who promote those ideas or carry out those actions. As you said, we are all flawed human beings.
It’s just hard for me to see any good in some of the men currently running or representing the state I live in, or the Proud Boys, or the pastor who recently said queer people should be lined up and shot in the head.
Yes it is hard so I am grateful I don't have to deal with them personally. And I never try to figure out what is motivating them. My own fears are scary enough!
I like those quotes. Knowing who said them and their life stories offers hope and challenges me as well I want to experience the peace and hope they radiate. I find along with the quotes listening to the stories of other people's lives and seeing that they are kind and compassionate and can laugh gives me hope and that little engine who thought it could was right ordinary people do it all the time and I'm ordinary so I can too. And compassionate is my goal in life!!
Yes, I want to be more compassionate too, and also less judgmental and critical of myself and others. Certain politicians are making it difficult for me to not be judgmental and critical of them though!
I don't think judging or criticism means I'm hopeless. I do it all the time!! I can reject their ideas and condemn their actions but I don't have to dismiss them as human beings. Flawed human beings!! Then I go to the absurd..... Maybe their shoes are too tight or they have a headache. They can be different I can be different. That renews my hope. Of course the universe may need to take them down a peg or two so they can face their fears that shape their ideas and actions, just like I have. And I pray, sitting in the silence brings me back to my belief that things can change for the better. Hope!
Great insight about our fears shaping our ideas and actions, and how that applies to the people whose ideas and actions appall me too! I agree that the key is to reject ideas and actions that harm others but not reject or deny the humanity of the people who promote those ideas or carry out those actions. As you said, we are all flawed human beings.
It’s just hard for me to see any good in some of the men currently running or representing the state I live in, or the Proud Boys, or the pastor who recently said queer people should be lined up and shot in the head.
Yes it is hard so I am grateful I don't have to deal with them personally. And I never try to figure out what is motivating them. My own fears are scary enough!
This message from Pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber addresses this issue so well I just had to link to it: https://thecorners.substack.com/p/thats-our-word-to-make-fun-of-you?r=qs4u1&s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Definitely in need of hope infusions! Thank you.
You’re welcome, Jen. Glad you appreciated the quotes.
I love Anne Lamott's quote. I prefer blunt, hahahaha.
Yes, prefer blunt, too, probably because I am! I’m currently reading and enjoying Anne Lamont’s book, “Dust, Night, Dawn.”
Oh, cool, I hadn't heard of it. Thanks!