Thank you for this thoughtful article. As soon as I finished reading, I followed a Ta'i Chi video; doing Ta'i Chi calms me, but I haven't practiced regularly. I know I need physical activity for my overall health. On the spiritual side, I have been sending Reiki healing energy to a friend who recently had back surgery, and find I've been sleeping better. The other part of my spiritual life is to practice love and compassion for everyone, even / especially those who anger and worry me. Ever since President T's first term, I have struggled with including him and his followers in my nightly compassion exercise. I know many here won't agree with me, but I believe that we are all connected and that every living being deserves and needs compassion. How else are we going to transform the world, if not through our own practice of love and compassion? This is what keeps me sane. My appreciation for you and all that you do grows daily.
I am one who has been worried about you, as you are rail-thin, ... so this has given me perspective on what you do for yourself ... and so true!, that one must stay WELL, not as an indulgence but so that we can keep resisting. I'm assuming you are AWARE of those around you -- there are so many crazies out there.
1) So, guess I must get up from computer, and MOVE! I do, but will do more, but not in marathon category -- recovering from hip replacement, but doing physical therapy.
2) I like this, to be INTENTIONAL about stepping out of noise, and creating space to disconnect & reflect. "Reclaiming QUIET is a radical act, especially in these hyper-noisy times.
3) Be deliberate about tech -- intention, not addiction. Being old, this is not hard, as I was not born in computer times, and frankly, I would rather be using paper and pen. But good to be aware to be intentional, not addictive; it should serve me, not consume my life.
Thanks for all this -- it is good for me to know. Bless you.
We need to be mindful of the quiet moments between campaigns essential to preserving our agency and focus. On a larger scale, that means routine welfare checks on our front line defenders.
I have enjoyed, and participated in some of the activities/practices mentioned in all of the responses proffered. At my stage of life, most athleticism has vanished - but I do remember the feeling of "being in the zone" and how liberating it feels to abandon all the other mental noise while "in the zone". Nowadays I cultivate "mindless" activity that does the same thing, erase the preoccupations, the "what if" ruminations; handicrafts, arts, cooking that require full attention and reward one with accomplishment. Ever so much more satisfying than sitting at a computer or doom scrolling!
I started a garden last August. Your suggestion to "touch grass" works! Since then I've lost ten pounds and had all those plants to think about instead of doom and gloom. It's been cheap, too! I almost entirely chose bulbs or roots that were on-sale so the entire cost has been less than what I would have spent on a couple of nights on the town. Everything's already developing, and even though I won't begin to see the full effect for another year or so, I'm learning the wisdom behind the old saying about why an old man plants trees whose fruits he'll never see but his grandchildren will.
However you choose to reclaim your time, stop being led or driven. Set your own agenda and priorities. Respond to the world around you deliberately instead of reacting. Do this and those who would oppress us lose power instantly.
I would say that being active daily in opposing what Israel is doing keeps me going, gets me up in the morning and allows me to sleep at night while knowing that as an American I have the blood of all the Palestinians on my hands due to decisions by my own government to support slaughter. I have hatred directed at me every time I appear with my Palestinian flag, but I receive many times more appreciative comments.
I get where you are coming from, but everyone needs a break for one's own spiritual health every now and then. You too deserve to take time away from the pain of being informed today. It's a long road and to stay on it we all need to pause and refresh.
What I am doing is the refreshing thing, to not do it would be depressing. It could even be called therapy for guilt, the guilt that every American carries for being forced to go along with genocide by our madman of a president. I don't claim that I am sacrificing anything except my time to do what I do, and that is why I call on other retirees like me to do the same. It is the very best use of my time that I can think of and that has sustained me through 15 months of demonstrating daily.
it would surprise me if you did not have routines that alleviate stress. I'm glad you told us what they are. That does even more good for those who don't have any. You are precious to us.
Thank you for this thoughtful article. As soon as I finished reading, I followed a Ta'i Chi video; doing Ta'i Chi calms me, but I haven't practiced regularly. I know I need physical activity for my overall health. On the spiritual side, I have been sending Reiki healing energy to a friend who recently had back surgery, and find I've been sleeping better. The other part of my spiritual life is to practice love and compassion for everyone, even / especially those who anger and worry me. Ever since President T's first term, I have struggled with including him and his followers in my nightly compassion exercise. I know many here won't agree with me, but I believe that we are all connected and that every living being deserves and needs compassion. How else are we going to transform the world, if not through our own practice of love and compassion? This is what keeps me sane. My appreciation for you and all that you do grows daily.
I am one who has been worried about you, as you are rail-thin, ... so this has given me perspective on what you do for yourself ... and so true!, that one must stay WELL, not as an indulgence but so that we can keep resisting. I'm assuming you are AWARE of those around you -- there are so many crazies out there.
1) So, guess I must get up from computer, and MOVE! I do, but will do more, but not in marathon category -- recovering from hip replacement, but doing physical therapy.
2) I like this, to be INTENTIONAL about stepping out of noise, and creating space to disconnect & reflect. "Reclaiming QUIET is a radical act, especially in these hyper-noisy times.
3) Be deliberate about tech -- intention, not addiction. Being old, this is not hard, as I was not born in computer times, and frankly, I would rather be using paper and pen. But good to be aware to be intentional, not addictive; it should serve me, not consume my life.
Thanks for all this -- it is good for me to know. Bless you.
Wonderful tips! Balance is important to a healthy you! Thank you
Thank you for this kind and caring advice. Time for me to stop dragging my feet and hit the "subscribe" button.
Honored. Thank you, Bambi.
Wonderful advice! Thank you for everything you do.
This is great! Thank you.
We need to be mindful of the quiet moments between campaigns essential to preserving our agency and focus. On a larger scale, that means routine welfare checks on our front line defenders.
Thank you for this and for all the work you do. I appreciate the knowledge, insights, and thoughtfulness you exude. You are a shining star my friend.
I have enjoyed, and participated in some of the activities/practices mentioned in all of the responses proffered. At my stage of life, most athleticism has vanished - but I do remember the feeling of "being in the zone" and how liberating it feels to abandon all the other mental noise while "in the zone". Nowadays I cultivate "mindless" activity that does the same thing, erase the preoccupations, the "what if" ruminations; handicrafts, arts, cooking that require full attention and reward one with accomplishment. Ever so much more satisfying than sitting at a computer or doom scrolling!
Thanks! All are very good practices!
Good advice. Thank you Qasim!
I started a garden last August. Your suggestion to "touch grass" works! Since then I've lost ten pounds and had all those plants to think about instead of doom and gloom. It's been cheap, too! I almost entirely chose bulbs or roots that were on-sale so the entire cost has been less than what I would have spent on a couple of nights on the town. Everything's already developing, and even though I won't begin to see the full effect for another year or so, I'm learning the wisdom behind the old saying about why an old man plants trees whose fruits he'll never see but his grandchildren will.
However you choose to reclaim your time, stop being led or driven. Set your own agenda and priorities. Respond to the world around you deliberately instead of reacting. Do this and those who would oppress us lose power instantly.
That's amazing!
This truly is a community, Qasim. We care about how you’re doing, and you turn around and show us that you care about how we’re doing. Thank you.
Thank you. All good advice. We all need these things in our lives.
I would say that being active daily in opposing what Israel is doing keeps me going, gets me up in the morning and allows me to sleep at night while knowing that as an American I have the blood of all the Palestinians on my hands due to decisions by my own government to support slaughter. I have hatred directed at me every time I appear with my Palestinian flag, but I receive many times more appreciative comments.
I get where you are coming from, but everyone needs a break for one's own spiritual health every now and then. You too deserve to take time away from the pain of being informed today. It's a long road and to stay on it we all need to pause and refresh.
What I am doing is the refreshing thing, to not do it would be depressing. It could even be called therapy for guilt, the guilt that every American carries for being forced to go along with genocide by our madman of a president. I don't claim that I am sacrificing anything except my time to do what I do, and that is why I call on other retirees like me to do the same. It is the very best use of my time that I can think of and that has sustained me through 15 months of demonstrating daily.
Considering how you approach everything here,
it would surprise me if you did not have routines that alleviate stress. I'm glad you told us what they are. That does even more good for those who don't have any. You are precious to us.
Thank you for these helpful tips, Qasim! I, too, hope that you and your family are always okay. ☮️