Where are you going for perspective, motivation, inspiration

[lilac05]

For my own mental health, I need to be focusing on what *I* can do and the people who are going to be working hard to protect democracy in the next 4 years. There are enough people sounding the alarms about how bad this could get, but who/where are you looking for people who are ready to roll up their shirt sleeves and get things done? (like cville said in the other post)

I’m not looking for “it’s all going to be OK” toxic positivity stuff, but people who are at the “alright, let’s do this” stage.

So far, I found a lot of perspective and inspiration in Sharon McMahon’s book, The Small & The Mighty and her podcast (Here’s Where It Gets Interesting) that just came out today about freedom. (Negative vs positive freedom).

Pantsuit Politics has also been good for me since last Tuesday.

What are your sources, if you’ve found any, to help prevent a continued spiral downward?

[stuffandthings]

I'm going on vacation, lol.

Seriously, I am patting my past self on the back for planning a two-week Central American vacation at the end of this horrific month. Past Stuffandthings from a year and a half ago is so smart.

[katfco]

I know it’s not for everyone, but I find a lot f comfort in the Bible, specifically verses that talk about dealing with oppression and evildoers

[underwaterrhymes]

@@@

It’s hard for me to have inspiration or perspective at the moment. My grandfather died yesterday and he hated Trump as much as I do. I’m so glad he doesn’t have to live under a second Trump presidency though.

In the short-term, I have made several donations to organizations that are important to me that focus on trans and LGBTQ rights and abortion access, as well as refugee protection. I already volunteer with a local refugee group, but will be taking our kids to help at our annual holiday shopping event for our refugee families.

I also unsubscribed from every single shopping site that sends me emails so I can focus on the newsletters and sub stacks I get to help keep me informed without being overwhelmed by all the email clutter.

I’ve also started a Good Trouble doc that I’m adding things like community organizations and volunteer opportunities to.

I watched a livestream last week on mobilization efforts and am sitting in on a call this week on next steps in protecting refugees.

I’m sure long term the list will get longer. But that’s where it stands right now.

I also have been building our hard copy library for our kids that include accurate history, inclusive sexual education, and books on the civil rights movement. I think that will be especially important in the coming years.

[neverfstop]

I'm still in the over-dosing on commentary and analysis phase of grief and taking in all the info. Yes, as Beth said today on Pantsuit Politics, 'we're all digesting this together & it's ugly+messy, but that's how we get through it'.

I need some new instagram follows. I have Emily in your Phone (who is energized & ready to rumble, hold accountable, etc.), Carlos Whittaker (who is faith based, walk with people+don't stand on issues inspiration and humbling), Robert Reich (economist who is daily reminding us which party is bought by billionaires), ACLU, 

@@ The Mama Attorney (who does tons of work around legal protections for women in the workplace).


I've been having a really hard time with the church & evangelical movement, but I do get a love the work for Franciscan Father Richard Rohr who is very much focused on an integrated faith & wholistic teachings, which tend to be fairly progressive.  cac.org/daily-meditations/   His books & podcasts really helped me deconstruct in a positive way. 

[wanderingback]

For my causes we’ve been preparing/prepared for this for awhile, so thankfully I already have my community in that regard and we’ll continue doing what we’re doing.

For anyone trying to find their way I would recommend to figure out what/if you’re passionate about. This is a long game. I remain optimistic but the presidency is never going to save us. It’s usually best to start locally. There are probably a lot options for local community organizing and activism that will help motivate you if you find what sparks you.

It’s ok to do nothing right now, because again this is a long game.

[neverfstop]

Another thing that is really helping me make sense of <all this> is the theory of spiral dynamics. It talks about human sociological development & evolution (individual, groups, tribes, countries, businesses, etc.) It's similar to Maslow's hierarchy, but talks about how see/share power, valuing the group vs. individual, morality, religion, rights, intellectual development, etc.

I think some of the left being labeled as educated, elite, woke, etc. is because we have been exposed to more ideas & people, have the financial ability to study/read/care about things like the environment or even our neighbors/community instead of just struggling to get by. See this graphic here - the Dem party is mostly in the green+blue & the GOP is mostly in the red+orange, but everybody can revert to lower level dynamics if threatened.

www.bbilan.org/spiral-dynamics-integral/blog-post-title-one-mme5j-9l5sa


More info here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_Dynamics
Here's the podcast I heard many years ago podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-5-spiral-dynamics/id903433534?i=1000364512223

[cville]

I've thrown money at some stuff, which puts you on lists.

For me, I am inspired when I am around people who are taking action. So I've ramped up my involvement in local food insecurity group. And since I'm good at being organized and bossy, I've signed up with a local organization that trains people on doing things like volunteer coordination and logistics (ETA: to clarify, not to be A volunteer coordinator as a job, but to assist at the volunteer level).

Staying in touch with the county and state democratic party organizations to see what ideas they have. Yeah, the party is flawed, but right now it's what we've got.

[glw]

The ACLU (social media, the full-page ad in the NYT, etc.)

[RoxMonster]

In 2017, I got involved being a clinic escort at a local women's health clinic. I loved it. There were protestors each time and I felt like I was helping people directly as I escorted them into the clinic and provided a friendly face who was just there to help them get through their appointment. Sadly, that clinic closed a couple years ago, but I think PP in my city also has a need for clinic escorts so I'm going to reach out and see if I can get back into volunteering in that way.

[Nonny]

I've decided that, barring unforeseen circumstances (such as a personal health emergency), I'm going to stay pres of the Friends for the foreseeable future. It's doubtful I'll have much sway over general policy, but I can throw extra money my librarians way and do everything in my power to have their backs from a community perspective.

I don't want to out my list of actions on a public forum (not a safe place!), but I'm taking steps to have my librarians' backs against shenanigans and build community between Friends in adjacent cities.

[heygrey]

So you weren't looking for Pinterest as an answer. It's been a shitty week. The election was a blow for my US side, but I'm also reeling from the immediate response on the Canadian side and how that will effect my family. Wednesday my close friend's dad died very unexpectedly. I've been looking at a lot of pretty pictures and focusing on the immediate needs of my people - good food, cozy home, tangible support for my friend. We're also coming off a not great provincial election in October.

My focus right now is supporting local families during the holidays through our food bank. I look to our food bank for a lot of guidance on what supports are immediately necessary in our community. I'm gearing up to fight for our next Canadian federal election which will happen October 2025 at the latest. Our conservatives aren't quite the same as the Republicans, but they have their own terrible ideas and I'm anxious about the possibility of them gaining a majority. If I have bandwidth after that, I'll look to Democrats Abroad to support the 2026 US midterm election.

[campermom]

Sorry for your loss underwaterrhymes. That’s such a hard week

[underwaterrhymes]

Nov 11, 2024 20:44:10 GMT -5 campermom said:

Sorry for your loss underwaterrhymes. That’s such a hard week

Thank you. He was 99 and had no quality of life left so this is what was best for him, but I loved him enormously.

[underwaterrhymes]

heygrey - I’m so sorry for your friend’s loss. 💙

[heygrey]

Nov 11, 2024 20:55:48 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

heygrey - I’m so sorry for your friend’s loss. 💙

Thank you. Even though it's not my loss, I'm feeling this very deeply for her. She is my closest work friend and I've gotten to know her family well. Yesterday I texted that I was just dropping off a treat off at her door and she was waiting for me. She hasn't been at her house since Wednesday so we've only communicated by text. It was so good to see her, but my heart is broken for her. 

I am so sorry for your loss as well. Even when you're expecting to lose a grandparent it still really sucks.