Like many of you, I’m finding it difficult to post regularly. For whatever reason, and there are many significant factors involved, it’s just how things are for me right now. An easing back into the blogging rhythm just hasn’t presented itself before now.
I’ve noticed several bloggers I follow have courageously forged forth with timely posts echoing thoughts, hopes, struggles, fears and outrage similar to my own on the ceaseless chaos & cruelty that is bombarding the local & world stage.
One such blogger, Deborah Brasket, gave me a way to segue from my last post in February to today’s post.
In her post, Tending Beauty in an Uncertain World, she eloquently speaks of the tenuous balance she is trying to maintain in her (he)art, everyday life, and social responsibility.
“Like many of you, I struggle to balance myself in this uncertain world where the rule of law and so many institutions of democracy are crumbling around us. Where we are falling into fascism, failing to support human decency, our friends and allies, and the values that made America the land of the free and the home of the brave.
Like many, I falter between hope and despair. I struggle to know how to live this life I love as it is being destroyed from within.
Can I go on writing my novels, tending my garden, blogging about beauty, living a life of peace and tranquility? Do I abandon my piano, my artwork, my joy in living?
Do I take up arms and march in the streets? Can I do both? Will one taint the other? Will my joy be lessened, my rage take control?”
Deborah Brasket
I relate.
She found some insight in a poem by Gloria Horton-Young, The Quiet Art of Resistance.
I found some insight in a snippet from May Sarton’s journal entitled, At Seventy.
“It is order in all things that rests the mind…So what is the inward order that makes it possible to shut out the chaos around me as I sit here? Perhaps a strong sense of what my priorities are – first friends, then work, then the garden. If I died suddenly, how bitterly I should regret work undone, friends unanswered. As for the garden, that is my secret extravagance and one has to have one…The garden is where my madness lies, and that is a more useful madness than drunkenness or a tantrum…”
May Sarton
My priorities as per Sarton’s template?
First – family, friends and relationships (including my faith in a loving, caring God), then work- my music and all manner of my (he)art, then the garden – literally and all manner of other outlets.
There are other priorities, certainly…which makes for a good solid team in countering chaos & cruelty!
I am not going to give up on the beautiful and the good – I will not allow the ethos of the times to blur my vision or stifle my heart. Choosing priorities over chaos – sharing, caring, kindness, love, knowledge, truth – is exercising freedom in its purest sense.
“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
“Choosing priorities over chaos – sharing, caring, kindness, love, knowledge, truth – is exercising freedom in its purest sense.”
I love this, Laura. Such a powerful and relatable post. Thank you for sharing!❤️
Thank you, Natalie – hang in there!
I’ve stopped fussing over what to post. Sometimes just a photo. But tonight writing about semi disaster, and having a devil of a time getting a timely appointment with my doctor! Then finding out, that internal body is definitely having some issues.
Good luck with the doctor – hopefully you’ll get to take a quick toodle with Hazel over the weekend to lift your spirit.
I wrote the longest reply to this wonderful post, and I think it was bounced, but have no idea why.
Oh darn! I checked spam files, etc and couldn’t find anything there. WP issues strike again! But I know this commenting phantom is happening to other bloggers on a regular basis. 🙁
Thank you for taking time to craft your former response, now gone…I know we are simpatico…hang in there! hugs
It happened when I went to your actual blog. Sigh! WP gremlins, right? Yes, we are simpatico. 😀
good info…thanks, though not much I can do about it (as you know)
I know… 🙁
“I am not going to give up on the beautiful and the good – I will not allow the ethos of the times to blur my vision or stifle my heart.”
This resonates within me. I’ve been struggling to know what to do so that I stay true to myself while not ignoring the chaotic political climate around me. Decide on my priorities then stick with them. Great advice.
Looks like we exchanged words of advice to each other this blog-post cycle, eh? 🙂
Hi Laura,
Thank you for this – we need seeds of positivity sown upon the fields negativity. I will seek Sarton out when I have some quiet reading time. Her listing of priorities mirrors my own – I am slowly withdrawing from the usual media outlets, and continuing to ‘do what I do’, figuring if I keep things right with my family, friends and neighbours, this will ripple out into my community. If enough people do this in their community then it will ripple out into the larger world. Sometimes I despair at the cruelty I see in the world, feel helpless that I cannot do anything to affect it in the macro, so just do what I can in the micro.
I try to focus on the things that are recommended in your Philippians quote. I cannot imagine the oppression and fear that is being felt in your country, though over here we have our own problems too. When I read some of the newer stuff that I’ve been writing for a future collection, I realise that, subconsciously, the present circumstances are seeping into it:
there used to be a purity
about this place
the more it grew
the lonelier it became
what we need now is
a restorative grace
to take us back
to the beginning
Sounds like we’re on the same page…Such a rich comment…Such a poignant poem. Thank you for that peek into your current ‘project’. As for Sarton – I’ve not read any of her novels, just a handful of her journals and poetry collections. She was quite prolific!
Thank you for making me think of “such things”
You’re most welcome. 🙂
<3
Yeah, you ‘get it’. hugs & peace, Khaya.
I was going to go to a political gathering tonight but have withdrawn, and not going. I did send money. I will walk to a nearby store for needed supplies. Then, having had some exercise, will read for a course that is finishing up. That is the best I can do. I will be happy when the federal election is over on Monday as I have been bombarded by emails as I try to make the best decison. I am sad that the pope died, and I am not Catholic. I recognize that he was a good man who walked the talk. I hope to grow in faith after losing some. Going outdoors is a blessing, where I can shake off the cobwebs breathe deeply and enjoy the sun.
Good recap of your personal way of being true to yourself (and others) during these times…I am always inspired by your grit, determination and earthy sensibilities, Jane.
I feel this deeply. These are hard times and the never ending violence around us makes me question everything. In the end I remind myself that living out joy is an act of resistance in and of itself.
Oh there’s that ‘Laura Thing’ again!’ Deep feelings. Finding balance. 🙂
‘Living out joy is an act of resistance’ indeed! Stay true to your (lime green) self – HA!
When I wrote a post a month ago about losing my happy place and my sense of loss and worry about my country, I hoped that it would spur me to get back to writing about happier things. Not so much. I just uploaded my first post since then… hopefully there will be more because I really miss my blogging connection. So many of us trying to find our balance. Thank you for your words and for sharing Deborah’s. We can resist, and march, and make calls… and find joy in our daily lives.
It’s funny about that ‘blogging connection’ isn’t it? Of all social media, this WP one is the most ‘connecting’…Just taking the time to craft thoughts to share with others is often cathartic. Then discovering others with like mind (yet from a myriad of diversities) bringing insights and supportive, thoughtful comments – very refreshing. We all need refreshment these days, eh? And…your garden & citrus orchard – wow! Save me a sip of that Limoncello once it’s ‘cured’ HA!
Ah, Laura, I needed to read your post this morning and reflect on it. I’ve been struggling to align my priorities so that I don’t fall into a black hole of despair. I’m often on the edge of that hole.
We have a wonderful garden. We have a family of bluebirds in the bluebird box that my husband put up a few months ago for the first time. As the weather warms, we have flowers and insects buzzing about, looking for (and finding) pollen. We have two silly cats. We have friends and family and so much to be grateful for. And I have my knitting.
Your post reminds me that no one can help me but me myself. And yet, your post helped me so … 🙂
Times like these I wish I had some kind of faith, but it eludes me. Then again, I can’t help but think that there is something out there, much bigger than the universe, and I feel I have to be satisfied with that. And that’s okay.
You, Marie, are a quiet, gentle ‘doer’…A protester and an activist, enabled by your knitting passion. Your garden sounds like a nourishing place, a haven for restoration. A place far from ‘the edge’.
Thank you for your honest reflections. Take care.
You are so kind, Laura. I’m grateful to know you, and I really appreciate that you share your faith. How you share it is uplifting and inspirational, even for a “nonbeliever” like me ❤️
I am touched by your sincerity…thank you, Marie.
It’s so true! We are all struggling. Thank you for including part of my post in yours, Laura, and for sharing the May Sarton quote. She (and you) are right about needing to set priorities. And that last quote (from Paul, am I right?) says it all: whatever is true, noble, right, pure, and praiseworthy–to align one’s priorities with these, to let them fill our hearts and souls and guide our actions, this is how I want to spend my days.
You summed it up nicely, Deborah. Keep ‘tending the beauty’.
Beautifully said. Your words are a gentle reminder that peace begins within—even when the world feels chaotic. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome, Carol.
Like many, I find it hard to comprehend where we are at as a nation. Though I’m discouraged by the loss of American values (e.g., decency, respect, kindness, empathy), I find strength in those around me who still hold those virtues in high regard. We can’t close off because bullies are always going to be around.
As a teacher, you’re fully versed in the dynamics of dealing with bullies. Often, the smallest resistance sends them scurrying away – courage is not in their tool kit. 🙂
Thanks for the encouraging words. Wish you’d been at church with us Sunday. The service was about Jesus making good trouble (as John Lewis would have said) in a time of repressive government. Ha! Also, saw a sign at the demonstration Saturday that said, “Wake up my fellow decent Republicans!” Ha again!
I say ‘HA!’, too! Thanks Zip.
Very meaningful and relatable post, Laura! 🌹
Yeah, I knew you’d ‘get it’ Cheryl. Hang in there and keep writing poetry.
Laura, for whatever lack there may be in the frequency of your posts, it is much more than made up for in the poignancy and relevance of your posts. As is so often the case this post simply addresses that which needs to be said, and does so with elegance. Thank you.
Thank you for such an encouraging (and endorphin producing) comment, Michael. Huge smile sent to you via the blogosphere.
😎
ps-I wish for you a cozy cafe filled with creatives & gallons of artisan coffee!
Laura, I needed this post. There have been some discouraging things that warred against my sense of well-being. But as you said, priorities are key. What a great verse to quote! Thank you for that beautiful reminder! And you are right–enjoyment in those important matters is freedom. I am reminded of John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
My dear L.Marie, I was thinking of you when I chose the featured image for this post. We are part of the same team, fully supportive of each other’s ‘priorities’ (even if I’ve been a bit silent in communicating).
Yes, we are free indeed. hugs
I noticed the gerbera daisies! Love them so much! 😊😊😊