Becky sent me a link to a video message from Heather Cox Richardson....a political historian I greatly admire. I read her newsletter, Letters from an American every single morning.
Here's Heather's message about joy from the video:
“One of the really important things to remember going forward as we fear the rise of authoritarianism in the United States is that authoritarians cannot rise if there are strong communities and people are acting with joy. That is, you need despair and anger in order for an authoritarian to rise. Whatever those things are that you bring to the community, do them, and do them with joy. And don’t stop doing them because you are scared, because that is actually a form of resistance. Showing up and doing things you love says to an authoritarian you have no place to root here, and that’s going to be really important going forward.” Heather Cox Richardson
I actually can't stop making them...and pretty soon I'm going to have enough to actually do something with. And it DOES feel like an act of resistance. And right now....that feels like joy.
and makes a very pretty and simple tag. And I had another idea for backgrounds today that I'm pretty excited about...I'll share that tomorrow.
MaryAnn, thank you for those welcome words from HCR's video, reinforcing my shared belief in joy as a form of resistance. There are so many "tiny" acts of community, eye contact, invitation, reaching out a hand, picking up trash, giving a hug, and making BEAUTIFUL VERY SIMPLE SKINNY TAGS—to name just a few particulars—that make us strong together and bring love and meaning to our lives. DO NOT STOP!!!
ReplyDeleteJust last night I was thinking of your tags as joyful resistance. I was trying to come up with a name for them that would bring in the resistance idea—but nothing has bubbled up yet. The word resistance, without contextual explanation here, has a negative connotation. That said, they are uncomplicatedly IRRESISTABLY wonderful!
Dotty....your list of tiny acts of community are spot on. There are so many things we can do every single day that can make a difference...even for just one person. We just need to pay attention and act out of love and kindness.
DeleteI appreciate your thoughts about the name of the tags....I want it to convey the right message. Still mulling and am very open to suggestions.
Thank you for sharing this. HCR gives me such hope. This resonates so deeply for me, and it's something John and I talk about regularly. We have to guard against falling into despair and anger, which would be so easy given the present moment. Today I also read on The Marginalian, "Caught in the maelstrom of the moment, we forget this cyclical nature of history — history being merely the rosary of moments the future strings of its pasts. We forget that the present always looks different from the inside than it does from the outside —" The rosary of moments the future strings of its pasts. I am holding on to hope and joy, as I know you are, too. ♥️
ReplyDeleteThank for this lovely response Roseanne. I know we share the same hope...and anger. Thank you for sharing the Marginalian quote....that perspective is so very helpful. We have to have hope...and share our joy.
DeleteOh!, and by the way, these tags! They just keep getting more lucious by the day!
ReplyDeleteThanks for cheering me on!
DeleteOh MaryAnn, what a joy reading your newest post this morning. Not only are your strips beautiful but I didn’t know about the newsletter. I’ll check it out and those tags have risen to the top of my list. Of course I’m hunkering down this morning till the pipes thaw out so I can have water for my morning coffee 🙄. Love, love, love your amaryllis, too. Have a joyful day ❣️
ReplyDeleteOh...so nice to hear from you Louise! Heather Cox Richardson is a National treasure...and always gives some historical perspective while she reports on the news of the day. I have found that it's hard for me to listen to the news...so I have several newsletters I read.
DeleteThe tags have taken on a life of their own....and took a turn yesterday and today that have me just giddy with delight. I'll be posting about that tonight.
Frozen pipes??? Really?