When devastation rains down from those in power, our resistance rises. This fierce essay declares what remains untouchable despite the ease of destruction.
They can’t take away my voice. My literal voice. And my voice as a writer. They won’t silence me.
They can’t take away my dignity. My human-ness. And what some might call my divine spark. My soul.
They can’t take away my joy when I see my granddaughter riding her bike with one hand. No training wheels, just her and her bike. She is three - this is a huge accomplishment. Yes, I am one of those very proud grandmas.
They can’t take away my breath. Although, to be honest, holding my breath is one of my responses to extreme stress. So for this one, I really need to pay attention. And I need friends to ask me whether I am breathing with awareness.
They can’t take away the birds singing in my backyard. Or the squirrel in the birch tree that I can see from my window.
They can’t take away the conversations that I engage in with friends. The moments when we find out that we sometimes need very few words in a WhatsApp conversation to know that we think or feel the same. Or the moments when we walk with each other through pain and sorrow.
They can’t take away my stubbornness. Even if things kind of seem impossible, my stubborn self will try anyway.
They can’t take away dreams and visions that I share with friends and collaborators. We are imagining spaces that are safe, opening mind and heart, inviting curiosity, with writing by real humans (note: Claude not welcome). Artists of all kinds.
They can’t take away what we stand for: transparence, openness, caring for each other.
They can’t take away my hope. Hope is powerful. Hope gets me through tough nights and dreary mornings.
Michaela, I love this beautiful rendering of the things you cherish, those things that are sacrosanct and sacred to you. I feel honored you shared it here with us.
What a wonderful story about the rabbi's lesson in creating and destroying. I can think of a few world "leaders" who I wish had been at your youth group retreat. I nominate your rabbi for president.
I have a quote from Ghandi etched in my heart. Of late, I have brought it out and shared it repeatedly:
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
I know Gandhi wasn't perfect, and he was sometimes flat out abusive to women. In spite of his personal flaws (for lack of a better term): This quote is poignant and truthful. I vow to share truth and love--as much as I possibly can--as long as I can.
My efforts might simply be a "drop in the bucket." But, it's a drop. If we all vow to continue sharing truth and love, that drop can grow. Maybe together, it can become a wave. I dream of a tsunami of truth and love....
Thank you for sharing that wonderful quote, April. and yes, it has value, despite the imperfections of the man who spoke it. I will cherish that quote and return to it again, I’m sure.
The "they" of: destructors, denouncers, and deniers can NEVER take away from me my experiences of love, compassion, devotion to my art work, both mental and physical, my family background, my intelligence and the ability to connect with people and be present. Dictators come and go, some remain for a short period of time like the trumps, musks, and feckless GOP non leaders, some remain for a longer period like the Roman and Chinese emperors who lasted decades, the Egyptian pharaohs, the Christian martyrs, the Vikings and beyond. But they all had one thing in common, while their influence and the ability to control people was there, eventually their greed for ever more power brought them down. The current group of ignorant, self serving people in our country are even more vulnerable because they have no plans to replace, rebuild and recreate something even better than before. And once you have flattened industry, medical and scientific creativity, as well as artistic, you have no base on which to support yourselves because while slavery worked for the few, eventually it became a burden on society and the drums began to silently beat for massive change. Evolution happened and is happening. Will many good people be lost, many die because of lack of opportunities, education and skill learning, the answer is "yes"!! NOTHING is ever permanent and change is inevitable. We are in what is called The Great Turning" by Joanna Macy. A new order is beginning and some of us will die in the process, but ultimately the evolutionary powers of survival will hone a new race of people. Will the lessons of greed, ignorance and arrogance be learned or will they resurface in another form? Who knows, but evolution is inevitable. For the here and now I remain able to resist, regroup and rebuild. You can never take away my spirit of fairness, nor my compassion for the earth and all it's creatures. And I will find beauty in as many things as I can touch.
Linda, I love this passionate outpouring! I hear you and I'm with you.
I especially loved this: "But they all had one thing in common, while their influence and the ability to control people was there, eventually their greed for ever more power brought them down."
And this: " You can never take away my spirit of fairness, nor my compassion for the earth and all its creatures. And I will find beauty in as many things as I can touch."
Here's to the great turning, whether or not you and I live to see it. You're right--it is inevitable.
I am at a loss for words Laura. Thank you, Thank you. Thank you. POWERFUL
Thank you, Stephanie. I hope it inspires you to write your own rant!
They can’t take away my voice. My literal voice. And my voice as a writer. They won’t silence me.
They can’t take away my dignity. My human-ness. And what some might call my divine spark. My soul.
They can’t take away my joy when I see my granddaughter riding her bike with one hand. No training wheels, just her and her bike. She is three - this is a huge accomplishment. Yes, I am one of those very proud grandmas.
They can’t take away my breath. Although, to be honest, holding my breath is one of my responses to extreme stress. So for this one, I really need to pay attention. And I need friends to ask me whether I am breathing with awareness.
They can’t take away the birds singing in my backyard. Or the squirrel in the birch tree that I can see from my window.
They can’t take away the conversations that I engage in with friends. The moments when we find out that we sometimes need very few words in a WhatsApp conversation to know that we think or feel the same. Or the moments when we walk with each other through pain and sorrow.
They can’t take away my stubbornness. Even if things kind of seem impossible, my stubborn self will try anyway.
They can’t take away dreams and visions that I share with friends and collaborators. We are imagining spaces that are safe, opening mind and heart, inviting curiosity, with writing by real humans (note: Claude not welcome). Artists of all kinds.
They can’t take away what we stand for: transparence, openness, caring for each other.
They can’t take away my hope. Hope is powerful. Hope gets me through tough nights and dreary mornings.
Michaela, I love this beautiful rendering of the things you cherish, those things that are sacrosanct and sacred to you. I feel honored you shared it here with us.
I agree with your son… and the photo you lead with is a fitting analogy. This is the vandalised tunnel towards the light on a sacred path.
I sure hope so!
What a wonderful story about the rabbi's lesson in creating and destroying. I can think of a few world "leaders" who I wish had been at your youth group retreat. I nominate your rabbi for president.
I love your idea, Leslie!
This piece is inspiring and empowering - remembering this truth can be elusive, so I am grateful to be reminded. Thank you.
Thank you for writing, Monica. I’m glad the piece spoke to you.
I have a quote from Ghandi etched in my heart. Of late, I have brought it out and shared it repeatedly:
“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
I know Gandhi wasn't perfect, and he was sometimes flat out abusive to women. In spite of his personal flaws (for lack of a better term): This quote is poignant and truthful. I vow to share truth and love--as much as I possibly can--as long as I can.
My efforts might simply be a "drop in the bucket." But, it's a drop. If we all vow to continue sharing truth and love, that drop can grow. Maybe together, it can become a wave. I dream of a tsunami of truth and love....
Thank you for sharing that wonderful quote, April. and yes, it has value, despite the imperfections of the man who spoke it. I will cherish that quote and return to it again, I’m sure.
The "they" of: destructors, denouncers, and deniers can NEVER take away from me my experiences of love, compassion, devotion to my art work, both mental and physical, my family background, my intelligence and the ability to connect with people and be present. Dictators come and go, some remain for a short period of time like the trumps, musks, and feckless GOP non leaders, some remain for a longer period like the Roman and Chinese emperors who lasted decades, the Egyptian pharaohs, the Christian martyrs, the Vikings and beyond. But they all had one thing in common, while their influence and the ability to control people was there, eventually their greed for ever more power brought them down. The current group of ignorant, self serving people in our country are even more vulnerable because they have no plans to replace, rebuild and recreate something even better than before. And once you have flattened industry, medical and scientific creativity, as well as artistic, you have no base on which to support yourselves because while slavery worked for the few, eventually it became a burden on society and the drums began to silently beat for massive change. Evolution happened and is happening. Will many good people be lost, many die because of lack of opportunities, education and skill learning, the answer is "yes"!! NOTHING is ever permanent and change is inevitable. We are in what is called The Great Turning" by Joanna Macy. A new order is beginning and some of us will die in the process, but ultimately the evolutionary powers of survival will hone a new race of people. Will the lessons of greed, ignorance and arrogance be learned or will they resurface in another form? Who knows, but evolution is inevitable. For the here and now I remain able to resist, regroup and rebuild. You can never take away my spirit of fairness, nor my compassion for the earth and all it's creatures. And I will find beauty in as many things as I can touch.
Linda, I love this passionate outpouring! I hear you and I'm with you.
I especially loved this: "But they all had one thing in common, while their influence and the ability to control people was there, eventually their greed for ever more power brought them down."
And this: " You can never take away my spirit of fairness, nor my compassion for the earth and all its creatures. And I will find beauty in as many things as I can touch."
Here's to the great turning, whether or not you and I live to see it. You're right--it is inevitable.