What do we have that they should want? We have a wall to work upon

[sovay]

For the first day of summer proper, I had lobster and ice cream. I mended two out of my three pairs of jeans. I baked a lemon cake for the chorus potluck tomorrow. I bought a tank top on sale. I passed out on a couch for an hour in the evening because I had slept maybe two hours the previous night.

I do not know what to do about the planned mass roundup of immigrant families, obscenely described by ICE as a "family op." [ETA: As of this evening, the roundup has been delayed. May it stay so and may there be no advantage to the White House from the threat of it.] I do not know what to do about children tortured, American concentration camps. I already have a senator whom I call to express support of her unwavering opposition to these monstrous policies (which makes a nice change from my governor whom I call to yell at about everything) and I donate when I can to RAICES and I am feeling trapped by the limitations on my finances and my physical capacities which make it difficult enough already to keep myself alive, but what is the use of being alive if I can do nothing for anyone else? It feels like being cornered into complicity, as if I should be expected to raise my hands and say not I didn't know but so what could I have done? I want to know what to do from where I am, which feels terribly far from any levers of power. Fretting is just thoughts and prayers, secular edition.

Comments

[dramaticirony]

Part of my way of coping is too look back and see how hard and difficult and long in coming many victories of past where. And to note how unexpected sudden change often was.

It is not fair to judge yourself more harshly than you would anyone else in the same financial or physical situation. (Though I know how hard it can sometimes be to take this perspective.)

When mystics suggest we should "act but not expect" or "do your work, and step back" I suspect they are trying to help us stay effective when facing challenges like this, rather than simply taking the piss of causality. But, ehh, mystics, who knows?

[sovay]

And to note how unexpected sudden change often was.

I don't expect an instant solution to the problem of the man in the White House! (I don't know how some of the damage he and his enablers have unleashed is to be contained, let alone amended or healed.) I just want something that feels like it might work. I am working on reminding myself that it doesn't have to be something I come up with, just something I can contribute to.

(Though I know how hard it can sometimes be to take this perspective.)

(I find it very difficult. I appreciate the reinforcement.)

When mystics suggest we should "act but not expect" or "do your work, and step back" I suspect they are trying to help us stay effective when facing challenges like this, rather than simply taking the piss of causality. But, ehh, mystics, who knows?

I mean, if slightly breaking space-time works under these conditions, I'm for it.