Thank you, MK. This morning I have spent some time focusing on other decisions that were made last night. My state is still very red, but there are several states that will now have womens' access to reproductive healthcare rights enshrined in their state constitutions. Other states passed minimum wage laws that will do better at providing realistic living wages. Still others mandate that employers give their employees a certain number of sick days per year. These are steps in the right direction for women and the working class and as such need to be celebrated. Thank you for reminding us that there is hope.
Thank you for sharing those updates. I can't bear to read any news about yesterday, but I'm happy to hear there were a few "wins." I am so heartbroken, fearful, and grief-stricken today.
When you are ready, here is a link to the 2024 ballot measures state-by-state. Many of them are symbolic- Example: states that passed measures intended to keep non-citizens from voting. Non-citizens have never had the right to vote so these measures are symbolic so that folks can beat their chests and feel like they really did something... Other measures are extremely significant, especially those guaranteeing women's access to reproductive healthcare within state constitutions.
MK, your words felt like sitting beside a quiet river—calming, reflective, and gently unrelenting. They brought me back to an essay I wrote about misplaced brioche buns (a much smaller loss, I know), yet the lesson felt eerily similar: control is an illusion, and peace only shows up when we stop wrestling for it.
The idea of making yourself small resonates deeply. It’s paradoxical, isn’t it? Shrinking into the vastness of nature somehow expands our capacity to hold the messy, unbearable parts of life. Do you think acceptance is less about arriving somewhere and more about realizing we never left?
Thanks for reminding us that hope isn’t always bold and loud. Sometimes, it’s a whisper that waits patiently until we’re ready to listen.
I’m a newer Substack reader. I’m not supporting main stream media or Twitter anymore. I don’t want to hear any of it. I’m glad I found your post today as I’m fearful of what’s to come. Taking it day by day & hoping my grandchildren have a more sane country to live in when they get older.
I have sunk deep into the abyss known as a depression spiral. I want to know where the hell God is? I worked hard, I wrote post cards, posted flyers, made calls, got people registered and for what? I thought good was supposed to triumph over evil? I yelled at God today, and I suppose I'll be yelling at him some more. People won't realize until it's too late the damage they did by voting for this demagogue
This is going to take some time, MK. While this will affect me differently and I'll be okay, I have too many people close to me who are not going to be. While hope isn't a plan, it is necessary. I'll try to hold on to a bit of it in the days, months, and years to come. Thank you for being here. I appreciate you. Peace & love, friend.
Thank you, MK. This morning I have spent some time focusing on other decisions that were made last night. My state is still very red, but there are several states that will now have womens' access to reproductive healthcare rights enshrined in their state constitutions. Other states passed minimum wage laws that will do better at providing realistic living wages. Still others mandate that employers give their employees a certain number of sick days per year. These are steps in the right direction for women and the working class and as such need to be celebrated. Thank you for reminding us that there is hope.
Thank you for sharing those updates. I can't bear to read any news about yesterday, but I'm happy to hear there were a few "wins." I am so heartbroken, fearful, and grief-stricken today.
When you are ready, here is a link to the 2024 ballot measures state-by-state. Many of them are symbolic- Example: states that passed measures intended to keep non-citizens from voting. Non-citizens have never had the right to vote so these measures are symbolic so that folks can beat their chests and feel like they really did something... Other measures are extremely significant, especially those guaranteeing women's access to reproductive healthcare within state constitutions.
https://ballotpedia.org/2024_ballot_measures
🎯
Thank you SOOO much for this!! Trying to stay encouraged, as I work to encourage others as a therapist. This really resonates. Thank you again. 💝
You have no idea how badly I needed to read those words this morning. Thank you! ❤️
I needed this,thank you. I have never been so devastated by an election. I'm praying for all of us.
Thank you I needed this. The tears will last a while longer
First thing I’ve read today that truly spoke to me and helped. Thank you for this gift ❤️🩹💕
You have no idea how much I appreciate these words today. Thank you! ❤️
Thank you for your thoughts.
MK, your words felt like sitting beside a quiet river—calming, reflective, and gently unrelenting. They brought me back to an essay I wrote about misplaced brioche buns (a much smaller loss, I know), yet the lesson felt eerily similar: control is an illusion, and peace only shows up when we stop wrestling for it.
The idea of making yourself small resonates deeply. It’s paradoxical, isn’t it? Shrinking into the vastness of nature somehow expands our capacity to hold the messy, unbearable parts of life. Do you think acceptance is less about arriving somewhere and more about realizing we never left?
Thanks for reminding us that hope isn’t always bold and loud. Sometimes, it’s a whisper that waits patiently until we’re ready to listen.
I’m a newer Substack reader. I’m not supporting main stream media or Twitter anymore. I don’t want to hear any of it. I’m glad I found your post today as I’m fearful of what’s to come. Taking it day by day & hoping my grandchildren have a more sane country to live in when they get older.
Thank you, MK. Just what I needed.
Thank you so much! This helps while I process the sadness and grief!
Thank you for this today! Needed it! 🥰
I have sunk deep into the abyss known as a depression spiral. I want to know where the hell God is? I worked hard, I wrote post cards, posted flyers, made calls, got people registered and for what? I thought good was supposed to triumph over evil? I yelled at God today, and I suppose I'll be yelling at him some more. People won't realize until it's too late the damage they did by voting for this demagogue
Thanks so much for this, I'm so scared. You helped ❤️
This is going to take some time, MK. While this will affect me differently and I'll be okay, I have too many people close to me who are not going to be. While hope isn't a plan, it is necessary. I'll try to hold on to a bit of it in the days, months, and years to come. Thank you for being here. I appreciate you. Peace & love, friend.