"Feeling a sense of belonging does not require that others be excluded or demonized". The holiday weekend brought a mix bag of feeling alone, and feeling accepted. We had family that excluded us, because they have demonized the unvaccinated, and we have family that just wanted to see the ones they love. period. A leopard can not change it's spots, those who demonized, demonized and excluded family for various reason prior to COVID. It takes very little for them to turn on people. They are typically weak minded, unprincipled, and have low self esteem. MMXXII will have a different tune for me, it's time to spend more time with people who "live in hope, seek the good within and without, and be open, truthful and courageous." Live is too short to do otherwise.
Thank you Heather, I teared up reading what your friend in Lithuania wrote to you. A similar occurrence happened this past summer at the County fair in the town where my stepdaughter teaches. One of her students was walking towards us, my stepdaughter recognized her and said "Hi" and the student kept walking past her, she had no idea what her English teacher looked like. Then the worst news I am dealing with; my stepdaughter took her 11 year old to get a mRNA injection. I am crushed. I will no longer keep my opinions to myself, that is my New Years resolution starting yesterday. Heather, you and Bret are a blessing in my life, Thank you and Happy New Year.
The power of the written word is so evident to me right now. I have been a misanthrope about this issue—whether it is worth adding one’s own voice to this glutted entanglement of noise could possibly be a helpful addition. But this essay changed my mind! Writing, like Heather’s, can help. It has helped me, deeply, to see that every voice speaking good will to all is helpful. As is being able to see all of our smiling faces in classrooms, on buses, and everywhere.
This is such a beautiful piece..so moving on so many levels. Your love of nature and your deep sense of care and concern for what is happening in the world, in general, and with regards to COVID is so perfectly expressed. I have shared this post with several friends, most of whom need, I do not mean it harshly, but will say it, a slap of reality. This piece does not slap but it compassionately and with deep concern points out/reminds us to pay attention and to think critically. I have spoken out since the beginning of the pandemic and my voice has mostly been ignored as it is not on path with the narrative regarding almost everything related to COVID mitigation strategies, early treatment and mass vaccination. Sincerely, thank-you reminding me I am not alone and for being a voice that I can share with others. Please don't stop using your gift writing that so eloquently conveys what I feel.
I was right there with you in that beautiful, cold, wonderful place. Even envious at the beauty your words paint. I knew you were lost in your thoughts.
But, misanthrope? Maybe that's too broad, like saying you're a mammal. Yeah, but...
I'm much more misanthropic than you could ever be, for totally different reasons, and I think probably we all are, at some point, for some reason that we each have.
Alive? Curious? Hopeful? Insightful? Excited? Then, not so much misanthropic. Maybe just pissed at the thoughtlessness of the other mammals.
For an evolutionary, you paint such beautiful pictures in your essays of the glory of creation, and that confirms my belief in the triumph of the spiritual.
Thank you. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Dear Misanthrope, even tho you surely are not one. Angry, yes. It’s a personality thing maybe. Gets you moving, keeps you on your toes. All parts of our feet altogether are such a thing of beauty, aren’t they?
A touch of selective misanthropy is a sometime good thing. Thank you for once again sharing your thoughts. We need to hear you, to listen to you, and Bret, and not get ‘bound in shallows and in miseries’.
Now you know. I had a similar experience 40 years ago well into my career in my county. I had to essentially start from scratch at a barely above minimum wage job. In the years that followed I have (re)built my life, filled with experience and adventure, outside *their* system. One thing always leads to the next and your intelligence and especially your experience will inform your decision. I bought a book at a library sale years ago, 50 cents and most likely only read once, 'The Magic Animal' by Philip Wylie, published in 1968! If you read it ( I think Heather would trip out on it too) you might find that your experience inside the *system* is nothing new. Open your heart, life beckons. Go girl!
"Feeling a sense of belonging does not require that others be excluded or demonized". The holiday weekend brought a mix bag of feeling alone, and feeling accepted. We had family that excluded us, because they have demonized the unvaccinated, and we have family that just wanted to see the ones they love. period. A leopard can not change it's spots, those who demonized, demonized and excluded family for various reason prior to COVID. It takes very little for them to turn on people. They are typically weak minded, unprincipled, and have low self esteem. MMXXII will have a different tune for me, it's time to spend more time with people who "live in hope, seek the good within and without, and be open, truthful and courageous." Live is too short to do otherwise.
Thank you Heather, I teared up reading what your friend in Lithuania wrote to you. A similar occurrence happened this past summer at the County fair in the town where my stepdaughter teaches. One of her students was walking towards us, my stepdaughter recognized her and said "Hi" and the student kept walking past her, she had no idea what her English teacher looked like. Then the worst news I am dealing with; my stepdaughter took her 11 year old to get a mRNA injection. I am crushed. I will no longer keep my opinions to myself, that is my New Years resolution starting yesterday. Heather, you and Bret are a blessing in my life, Thank you and Happy New Year.
I teared up as well and miss seeing the many faces that I come across each day, especially the sweet faces of children (and even crying faces)
Thank you.
The power of the written word is so evident to me right now. I have been a misanthrope about this issue—whether it is worth adding one’s own voice to this glutted entanglement of noise could possibly be a helpful addition. But this essay changed my mind! Writing, like Heather’s, can help. It has helped me, deeply, to see that every voice speaking good will to all is helpful. As is being able to see all of our smiling faces in classrooms, on buses, and everywhere.
Beautiful thought. Thank you Heather.
You write so beautifully Heather. Your voice is appreciated and looked forward to each week. Thank you 🙏
This is such a beautiful piece..so moving on so many levels. Your love of nature and your deep sense of care and concern for what is happening in the world, in general, and with regards to COVID is so perfectly expressed. I have shared this post with several friends, most of whom need, I do not mean it harshly, but will say it, a slap of reality. This piece does not slap but it compassionately and with deep concern points out/reminds us to pay attention and to think critically. I have spoken out since the beginning of the pandemic and my voice has mostly been ignored as it is not on path with the narrative regarding almost everything related to COVID mitigation strategies, early treatment and mass vaccination. Sincerely, thank-you reminding me I am not alone and for being a voice that I can share with others. Please don't stop using your gift writing that so eloquently conveys what I feel.
It's reassuring to know that we, who seek discourse, are not alone. Thank you.
Oh man, I just couldn't make the leap with you!
I was right there with you in that beautiful, cold, wonderful place. Even envious at the beauty your words paint. I knew you were lost in your thoughts.
But, misanthrope? Maybe that's too broad, like saying you're a mammal. Yeah, but...
I'm much more misanthropic than you could ever be, for totally different reasons, and I think probably we all are, at some point, for some reason that we each have.
Alive? Curious? Hopeful? Insightful? Excited? Then, not so much misanthropic. Maybe just pissed at the thoughtlessness of the other mammals.
For an evolutionary, you paint such beautiful pictures in your essays of the glory of creation, and that confirms my belief in the triumph of the spiritual.
Thank you. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Dear Misanthrope, even tho you surely are not one. Angry, yes. It’s a personality thing maybe. Gets you moving, keeps you on your toes. All parts of our feet altogether are such a thing of beauty, aren’t they?
What an incredible essay this was!
A touch of selective misanthropy is a sometime good thing. Thank you for once again sharing your thoughts. We need to hear you, to listen to you, and Bret, and not get ‘bound in shallows and in miseries’.
Gracie,
Now you know. I had a similar experience 40 years ago well into my career in my county. I had to essentially start from scratch at a barely above minimum wage job. In the years that followed I have (re)built my life, filled with experience and adventure, outside *their* system. One thing always leads to the next and your intelligence and especially your experience will inform your decision. I bought a book at a library sale years ago, 50 cents and most likely only read once, 'The Magic Animal' by Philip Wylie, published in 1968! If you read it ( I think Heather would trip out on it too) you might find that your experience inside the *system* is nothing new. Open your heart, life beckons. Go girl!