Father Richard Rohr (who founded the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque about 40 years ago) frequently discusses what he calls the wisdom cycle: Order, Disorder, Reorder (and repeat.) My reality used to include a profound dependence on the Order that the USA gave me. That was shattered in the election of Nov 2024, and it continues to be tattered. We are living in Disorder, and we are working to repair our democracy and pull back from this oligarchy/autocracy. It requires strength to face a period of Disorder (whether from a failed marriage, business chaos, professional setback, family or personal illness, or governmental failure, etc.) Those who are speaking and working now are the ones who can muster that strength now to use hearts and minds to push into an unknown future, trusting that Wisdom and Love are guiding them. Let's keep going and inviting others to join us!!
SMH...countless times over the last 10 years. Never did I think that I'd be on a protest line at 70 decrying the lawlessness and crying for the maintenance of our democratic republic. I cannot remain silent.
Thanks, Elliott, for once again capturing the moment with your insight.
Thank you Elliot for this uplifting article. It was so needed for me today as we are seeing our sitting president utilizing his powers to use military force against US citizens. I hope to be in a position in the “near future” to look thru the glass of history that will show just what you suggested: that the country, through peaceful protest, take back our country from the oligarchs, racist, hate-filled (mostly men) and shows restoration from the chaos inflicted by an authoritarian, corrupt dictator and his gang of incompetent thugs.
That feeling of staring at the headlines and realizing your mental compass no longer works,I think a lot of us are walking around with that quiet panic right now. What’s eerie is how fast the old assumptions fell apart. Things we thought were permanent turned out to be habits, not guarantees.
I do think you're right that empathy and shared purpose are the only real tools we have left. But it’s hard to feel connected when so much of our experience is filtered through a screen. It’s like trying to fight for community while being slowly pulled into isolation.
I don’t know what future generations will see when they look back. But I hope they’ll understand that some of us did notice the moment, did care, and tried to stand up while the ground was still shifting.
"Performative caricatures of masculinity" laced with cruelty and greed, is such a solid encapsulation of what we're watching. And in opposition, "the power of human connectivity" and the ability to be moved to tears by song. Thanks Elliot.
When we stop admiring wealth, we will stop admiring greed. Stop teaching your children that wealth (Trump, Musk) is somehow success. Nothing could convince me that those are lives worth living.
Wow! You have so accurately described the thoughts I’ve been having about history and our place in it. I hope to live long enough to see this era accurately described historically.
Thanks, as always, for your post, Elliot. What surprised me as I read it, especially as I read the last three paragraphs, is what came to mind instantaneously -- the memory of the Reverend Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH organization of the 1960s. He believed, and hoped to convey, that the poor and under-served of all races, religions, creeds, and backgrounds had more in common with one another than not, more in common with one another than they might think. He hoped we'd join forces to bring more social, economic, and political equality to bear on the governmental forces that strove then, and still do, to keep the wealthy power structure strong, to keep the rich even richer. Despite my having the privilege of being White and born into the middle class, my parents were affected by their parents' experience of being Jewish immigrants, and so, as a girl was I. Living in a sexist society, I felt the necessity to fight for equality for all. I believed in what Rev. Jackson and other Civil Rights leaders of the 1950s / 1960s wanted -- that was MY direction. I want that still for our country. I wish those who were seduced by the glitz and manipulations of the power-hungry politicians could find direction that would lead them to understand that united we stand, divided we fall -- ALL OF US, not just those with whom they currently disagree.
Elliot - Thank you for this piece. It leaves the reader with a quietude despite the reality of what we face. I take my guidance (and restoration) from the natural world. All is connected; all is re-used; all is important to everything else! And the ebb and flow, the movement of populations, the unexpected discoveries - these put all the disappointment and angst of our human world at a slight distance - at least in the moment. And we all need that respite! Thank you.
Thank you, Elliot, for this empathetic, eloquent essay that expresses my feelings and I'm sure millions of others. If we stand firm and get out the vote next year we can still save ourselves and the destiny of our quarter of a millennium old Country. Now is the side to stand firm, not fold.
Father Richard Rohr (who founded the Center for Action and Contemplation in Albuquerque about 40 years ago) frequently discusses what he calls the wisdom cycle: Order, Disorder, Reorder (and repeat.) My reality used to include a profound dependence on the Order that the USA gave me. That was shattered in the election of Nov 2024, and it continues to be tattered. We are living in Disorder, and we are working to repair our democracy and pull back from this oligarchy/autocracy. It requires strength to face a period of Disorder (whether from a failed marriage, business chaos, professional setback, family or personal illness, or governmental failure, etc.) Those who are speaking and working now are the ones who can muster that strength now to use hearts and minds to push into an unknown future, trusting that Wisdom and Love are guiding them. Let's keep going and inviting others to join us!!
AGREE
This pairs so well with HCRs column yesterday. Someway we must indeed find our collective direction. And preserve what we know to be truthful.
Yes. Thank goodness for Elliot and HCR, who remind us of the winds at our back, and give us that “strong breeze of hope”.
SMH...countless times over the last 10 years. Never did I think that I'd be on a protest line at 70 decrying the lawlessness and crying for the maintenance of our democratic republic. I cannot remain silent.
Thanks, Elliott, for once again capturing the moment with your insight.
I too am 70 yoa and also hadn't imagined we'd be here and I'd be rallying in protest. We will rally together for the collective future.
Thank you Elliot for this uplifting article. It was so needed for me today as we are seeing our sitting president utilizing his powers to use military force against US citizens. I hope to be in a position in the “near future” to look thru the glass of history that will show just what you suggested: that the country, through peaceful protest, take back our country from the oligarchs, racist, hate-filled (mostly men) and shows restoration from the chaos inflicted by an authoritarian, corrupt dictator and his gang of incompetent thugs.
Thank you, I needed to read your thoughts this morning.
That feeling of staring at the headlines and realizing your mental compass no longer works,I think a lot of us are walking around with that quiet panic right now. What’s eerie is how fast the old assumptions fell apart. Things we thought were permanent turned out to be habits, not guarantees.
I do think you're right that empathy and shared purpose are the only real tools we have left. But it’s hard to feel connected when so much of our experience is filtered through a screen. It’s like trying to fight for community while being slowly pulled into isolation.
I don’t know what future generations will see when they look back. But I hope they’ll understand that some of us did notice the moment, did care, and tried to stand up while the ground was still shifting.
"Performative caricatures of masculinity" laced with cruelty and greed, is such a solid encapsulation of what we're watching. And in opposition, "the power of human connectivity" and the ability to be moved to tears by song. Thanks Elliot.
When we stop admiring wealth, we will stop admiring greed. Stop teaching your children that wealth (Trump, Musk) is somehow success. Nothing could convince me that those are lives worth living.
Wow! You have so accurately described the thoughts I’ve been having about history and our place in it. I hope to live long enough to see this era accurately described historically.
Come out on the 14th and bring as many with you as you can.
Thanks, as always, for your post, Elliot. What surprised me as I read it, especially as I read the last three paragraphs, is what came to mind instantaneously -- the memory of the Reverend Jesse Jackson's Rainbow/PUSH organization of the 1960s. He believed, and hoped to convey, that the poor and under-served of all races, religions, creeds, and backgrounds had more in common with one another than not, more in common with one another than they might think. He hoped we'd join forces to bring more social, economic, and political equality to bear on the governmental forces that strove then, and still do, to keep the wealthy power structure strong, to keep the rich even richer. Despite my having the privilege of being White and born into the middle class, my parents were affected by their parents' experience of being Jewish immigrants, and so, as a girl was I. Living in a sexist society, I felt the necessity to fight for equality for all. I believed in what Rev. Jackson and other Civil Rights leaders of the 1950s / 1960s wanted -- that was MY direction. I want that still for our country. I wish those who were seduced by the glitz and manipulations of the power-hungry politicians could find direction that would lead them to understand that united we stand, divided we fall -- ALL OF US, not just those with whom they currently disagree.
Wonderful essay. From afar (Australia) I can only wish America all the best of luck in standing up to the scourge currently ruining your country.
Elliot - Thank you for this piece. It leaves the reader with a quietude despite the reality of what we face. I take my guidance (and restoration) from the natural world. All is connected; all is re-used; all is important to everything else! And the ebb and flow, the movement of populations, the unexpected discoveries - these put all the disappointment and angst of our human world at a slight distance - at least in the moment. And we all need that respite! Thank you.
TRUTH
Thank you, Elliot, for this empathetic, eloquent essay that expresses my feelings and I'm sure millions of others. If we stand firm and get out the vote next year we can still save ourselves and the destiny of our quarter of a millennium old Country. Now is the side to stand firm, not fold.
Thank you, just thank you for the words we need right now.