I have to go out real quick to reassure my street vendor friends that I'm not dead. (One tried to call, so I bet they're worried about my no-show for the last few days.)
While I'm off... three questions for 2024:
1) Have you forgiven yourself for how you acted at your worst last year?
2) Have you thanked yourself for doing what was hard but necessary along the way?
3) Have you decided how you can be kinder to yourself in this daunting year ahead?
I hope so.
We're all just doing our best. 💛
@MLClark Yes on all 3! Off-topic, I just finished reading your year wrap and wanted to say thank you for your succinct pinpoint of the common tactic happening in many governments: “the core conceit here is to concentrate power within the executive branch”. This clarity also shows us the way forward - stronger judicial and legislative branch powers in all places. ❤️🙏❤️ https://onlysky.media/mclark/five-core-issues-that-defined-2023/
Easier said than done with SCOTUS, for sure, but there *are* options even there. Checks and balances are our strengths in any democracy.
Thank you for reading, and thank you for your presence with so many ongoing fights in our big and messy world.
I wish you such strength in community this year, JGSchaeffer. May you always feel supported as you advocate for others so fiercely in turn. 🤗
@MLClark You are most welcome!❤️🥰❤️ Focusing on “Is there a balance of powers?” is just a great razor to use. Unless there’s a religious branch incorporated within the whole 🤦♀️.
I’m in a multi-faith family and firmly believe in the separation of church and state. I’ve never understood why this practical aspect of governance is so misunderstood or not adhered to.
Oh, that's lovely. What a gift of a family.
We're unfortunately not dealing with "good faith actors" all around - but the bigger challenge is going to be trying to coax people to stay sincere themselves, all the same. As the saying goes, an eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind - and the same is true for hardened hearts in response to hardened hearts: it just leaves stone all around.
So we'll have to try extra hard to keep hearts open to change this year. 🤞 Come what may.
A beautiful and much-needed sentiment LSWellesley. Thank you for it, and Happy New Year. May this one find you with so many opportunities to deepen in peace, understanding, and fellow-feeling. 🕊️ 🤗 Thank you, too, for your presence with so many. You make the world an easier place to move within.