I’ve been thinking a lot about cruelty versus love. What a peaceful life looks like. Whether a peaceful life is a realistic goal in today’s world.
As I’m writing this, I’ve just learned that the Ayatollah Khamenei is probably dead. This morning, I woke to the news that Israel and the U.S. launched an attack on Iran. Meanwhile, just before I sat down to write, I returned home from the Authors for Minnesota Day event at my favorite bookstore to help raise funds to help those affected by the actions of ICE agents here.
Everywhere, there is cruelty. Anger. Greed leading to injustice. And there are people who show up to do good.
We have to tilt the balance whenever we can.
Every post I write for One Minnesota Crone gets harder. This has been the case since around Christmas. It feels like an impossible time to gather my thoughts for writing when action is, perhaps, more important.
This difficulty with writing is tempered by the desire to curl up and read. That’s what I will do between whatever actions there are to be done.
I have a new stack of books, thanks to Minnesota Authors Day: Vacationland by Sarah Stonich, This Thing Called Life by Neal Karlen, A World Appears by Michael Pollan, and A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot. I don’t know which one to read first, but am leaning toward Pelicot’s book. I want to read about a woman brave enough to let the world know how her husband abused her for years, a woman who declared that keeping these things behind closed doors does not help women.
No abusive behavior should be allowed to stay hidden. Light destroys darkeness – we all know that. And yet here we are, abusive behaviors occurring and/or being protected all over the world, including in our own White House.
When are we going to have enough of a critical mass of people who object to stop the vindictive cruelty within our own government? When are we going to see accountability?
Every time I think we are there, it is proven untrue.
We have to keep showing up. Even if I can’t gather my thoughts enough to write much, I can still go out and gather groceries for the food shelves, donate money that I’m lucky enough to have, support local businesses that have been hit hard by ICE’s presence. I can observe. I can speak up.
I can be a caring human being. Isn’t that what we’re here for?
One Minnesota Crone is going on a little hiatus. I’ll see you again later in the spring or maybe summer. We’ll see what happens.
Be kind, everyone. Do good.
One Minnesota Crone 
We were having this very conversation while protesting on Saturday morning in Faribault, as we do weekly. We are wondering, what will be the one thing that finally makes people wake up? The consensus was that there have already been enough “one things” which should have flipped the switch for those who continue to support Trump and his regime. Onward we go, determined to do what we can, to raise our voices, to make a positive difference when and where we can.
Enjoy your break. Perhaps I’ll see you in Faribault on March 13???
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Yes, there certainly have been enough “one things”! I’ll send you an email shortly.
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Whew, I hear you. My blog has never been about the wider world as far as the political climate goes, but I often feel I should be addressing what’s happening. So far, I haven’t. But I also think, sometimes, that providing a respite/refuge may be good enough. Maybe my next post will just be images that feel good to view.
Your post hits the mark, leaning in enough to what’s disturbing but responding to it with the notion of being a caring being, and, “Isn’t that what we’re here for?” Thank you.
I’m reading a New Yorker article about Pelicot. As a survivor myself, I wasn’t sure how that would feel but her extraordinary strength is so important. Maybe I’ll read her book at some point. Pollan’s book is tempting. I love thinking about the puzzle consciousness and he’s such a good writer.
Relax into what you need during your hiatus from posting!
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Thanks! I read that New Yorker article, too.
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Thank you! We should all work to be kind and good. In every way that we can. To everyone that we can. You said this all so well. You put how I feel into good words.
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Thank you!
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I can’t believe what is happening in our country right now. And too many go along with it. I am grateful to people like you who do what they can. May you find some peace on your break.
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Thank you!
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Dear Kathleen ~ I get every bit of this post. Take the time you need. For all our sakes, I hope it won’t be too long. Meanwhile, let us all do the good each of us can do. Take care. xoA ❤
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Thanks Annis!
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