23 Comments
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Leigh Haber's avatar

I love this, Maria. Yours is a voice of sanity and calm amid chaos, and I deeply appreciate it.

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Maria Rodale's avatar

Thanks.

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Andrea Mathieson's avatar

I love that you gave your attention to a puzzle instead of the circus. Putting things together, piece by piece, to see the whole picture. Going slow. Getting the job done. Being kind to yourself first... Thank you!

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Maria Rodale's avatar

Yes! It felt symbolic. Thanks.

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TheAmyExperience's avatar

that's what I'm doing - taking care of my community and finding ways to make Kalamazoo MI better. it's what I can manage right now.

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Maria Rodale's avatar

thank you!

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Maya Rodale's avatar

You can add -ai to google searches to skip the AI crap

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Maria Rodale's avatar

Excellent tip! Thanks!

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Jennifer Vanderslice's avatar

So many thoughts going through my head today. I went for a session in a sauna yesterday and then to a sound bath last night. I'm still in the wait and see if the right winged voters figure out what they've done. I'm sure the senior ones will be the first ones to cry now that there is no cap on their medications. A neighbor of mine posted, "MAGA forever" on FB yesterday...I told my husband they can pay full price for eggs from now on (we usually GIVE them eggs throughout the summer). I think you're right in that we all have to protest in our small, quiet ways. Earlier this month, I cancelled our Amazon Prime membership and I'm closing down my Prime Rewards credit card.

Baby steps...

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Maria Rodale's avatar

Amazon is the hardest one for me since I love books so much. I’m still considering that one.

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Jennifer Vanderslice's avatar

I've thought about that too since I'm back to reviewing books on my blog. But, I'm sure the money I save on not being able to binge and impulse buy through Amazon will make up for the extra money I may have to pay elsewhere. That being said, there are things I'm stocking up on before my membership shuts down on May 11th.

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Carolyn Hewitt's avatar

Well said, Marie. I am with you.

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Maria Rodale's avatar

Thanks!

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RobertaL's avatar

Sound advice. Thank you. Time to be grown ups. Our power lies in where we spend our time, energy and dollars. Always has and your invitation to focus locally to start is a great one. Everyone can do that. I think another important reminder is to focus more time on those you love and trust, now more than ever. This makes us feel better, those we love feel enriched and that community thoughtfully expands naturally...good for everyone.

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Maria Rodale's avatar

Yes! Thank you!

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Diane's avatar

Thank you, Maria. You offer us the wisdom and tools to navigate what's ahead, what's already here and what is coming. You challenge us to get involved, and to stay connected to our values. I am so glad to be one of your followers. I appreciate you! I spent yesterday listening to the terror and tears from someone I know who is undocumented. Then I went to our local mosaic studio to be with kindred spirits who enjoy making art together. Joy , imagination, and play will keep us grounded so I can stay conscious and make good choices together. NO ONE will take that from me. We are not alone. I finished the day at our local singing group where our teacher read us words from Dr.King's many writings followed by our singing songs of protest. Joy and light filled the room. Our final song "We shall overcome" had us all on our feet. Thank your being there.

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Maria Rodale's avatar

Thanks! You are mentioning a member of things that are essential!

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Madeleine Ann Eames's avatar

This is it! No-one is coming to save us, so give up that dream. “Revolutions can only succeed if they are fought from within.” This is not the “I have to do it all myself” rhetoric that got us here in the first place, but a full responsibility for being a grown-up. Thank you.

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J French's avatar

Just today I made the decision to DO MORE. I am an introverted, private person but I will do more. For me, it means becoming more involved with a group called American Promise. I know, sounds suspect. But they are trying to pass an amendment that will be the first step in getting big money out of politics, which seems to me to be at the root of so many of our problems. All of our politicians have been bought, some more than others. This needs to change.

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Maria Rodale's avatar

Good one! Thank you!

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Carl Timmcke's avatar

Well said. I didn’t watch more than a moment here and there. I was ironically sick with a 24 hr bug.

I like doing dishes. I had read that many like Gates and Other high achievers enjoy doing them. More irony. 🥹

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James Van Bonn's avatar

“Treat others with respect and kindness.” It’s important to avoid confusing kindness with niceness. Nice is the suit worn by the used car salesman trying to sell you something you don’t want or need. Nice is Jeffry Dahmer. Fuck nice! I want to be with kind people.

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Maria Rodale's avatar

Great point! In fact, we do not need to be nice. But being purposefully cruel, even if it’s to be funny, will always backfire. Kindness is the middle path.

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