Dear Sydney, it hurts my heart to know how you & countless others are suffering because of the political chaos in the USA. Watching it all unfold from the other side of Earth is something that connects us all as new policies affect other countries & we start to see the full consequences of allowing this government to be in power. I wonder if those who voted for it are regretting their decisions yet?
It’s great that you’re turning your anger into activism but I encourage you to focus your energy on all that is good- the world is a beautiful place & nature is not just a backdrop it is our salvation- the calm place to rest your heart & refill it with love & compassion for those struggling at the moment. What we focus our energy on grows- don’t let them disempower you by becoming like them- full of fear & hatred.
Nothing is permanent & this too shall pass. The most important thing is that you continue to be your beautiful self for you & your family, withstanding the storm- just like the gorgeous chickadees. It’s still summer here in NZ & I’m going for a walk around the coast- hoping to see sea mammals. I watched a pair of Kereru last night ( large beautiful wood pigeons) as they chatted together sitting on power lines. I thought of you & wished you could see them too 🙏❤️☮️
Perfectly said. 💗 I'm in that space too. I didn't know about Kentucky or the forced labor camps for people on antidepressants and/or Adderrall. WTAF?? We are not going to allow that to happen. We'll burn it down first. The level of damage, insanity, ignorance and evil is beyond the scope of my comprehension. Like you, I'm going to keep fighting, keep taking the moments to remember the world itself is quite beautiful, and that "to everything ... there is a season." Evil never wins in the end.
Thanks for this, Jenny! I am encouraged by everything I read from him, and look forward to listening to this :) We honestly do have some great leaders speaking out right now who give me hope. I hope they keep stirring up hope and noise in more and more people.
We live in some very troubled times, and you capture how it feels perfectly, Sydney. But you are right; there is still joy to be found. Thank you for your comforting words.
Your sanctuary, a place to rest your heart indeed.
I love the snow pictures. My favorite is the one directly before the photo of the protest signs picture.
It’s difficult to capture the delicate beauty of snow.
The political? Yes, I too call the reps and senators, email and raise my voice. And yes, I get tired of seeing it in my socials. Thank you for continuing to shine the beauty of the world. In other social sites, I’m unfollowed or muted the folks who are only screaming into the wind. I read the news. I am aware. Having others shout at me isn’t helping.
Thanks so much, Teyani! That's my favorite one, too - it was so nice to be able to get the color-sparkles, they're ornery and don't always want to come through 🤣
Thanks for doing your part - and also finding balance in a time when we can't be all shouting, but must also nurture the empathy and the beauty and the connection that lets us fight without becoming like we're fighting against 💕
Beautiful writing and photos Sydney. I miss getting measurable snow, the past few years, it's all been snow to sleet to rain and gone overnight. Things are so distressing these days and I'm not sure we'll be able to recover before it's too late so our connections to nature will become more important than ever.
Thanks so much, Sandra! We've actually had similar weather patterns to yours for several years, too, and were so happy to get some snow back this winter! And yes, it's certainly looking that way 😢 💚
Thanks so much, Beth! That is the awkward balance of life at times, the way that such evil can lurk and grow while such glorious beauty is ever-present. ❤️
I do not pretend to know when this insanity will end or how, but I pray peace will come to every heart and we find a way through that allows the best in humans to shine. Thank you for being one of those humans Sydney.❤️🙏🏼
It is hard enough to watch from afar, but imagining living directly in that mess? You have all my support. In the end it isn’t only about the US - we can feel the impact already worldwide and it makes me sick to my stomach…
Thanks so much, Susanne. It's quite surreal, infuriating, deeply sad. I know energy is building, but it all still feels slow-motion, and I am still constantly surprised at the number of people who actively support this hateful movement, or still don't care 😳 It's a real physical blow when you're a person of any level of empathy. And such sorrow because, of course, we don't only impact ourselves - we are dragging the entire world into added suffering and loss of life. 💔
Dear Sydney, it hurts my heart to know how you & countless others are suffering because of the political chaos in the USA. Watching it all unfold from the other side of Earth is something that connects us all as new policies affect other countries & we start to see the full consequences of allowing this government to be in power. I wonder if those who voted for it are regretting their decisions yet?
It’s great that you’re turning your anger into activism but I encourage you to focus your energy on all that is good- the world is a beautiful place & nature is not just a backdrop it is our salvation- the calm place to rest your heart & refill it with love & compassion for those struggling at the moment. What we focus our energy on grows- don’t let them disempower you by becoming like them- full of fear & hatred.
Nothing is permanent & this too shall pass. The most important thing is that you continue to be your beautiful self for you & your family, withstanding the storm- just like the gorgeous chickadees. It’s still summer here in NZ & I’m going for a walk around the coast- hoping to see sea mammals. I watched a pair of Kereru last night ( large beautiful wood pigeons) as they chatted together sitting on power lines. I thought of you & wished you could see them too 🙏❤️☮️
Thanks so much for your encouraging words, Sally!
Perfectly said. 💗 I'm in that space too. I didn't know about Kentucky or the forced labor camps for people on antidepressants and/or Adderrall. WTAF?? We are not going to allow that to happen. We'll burn it down first. The level of damage, insanity, ignorance and evil is beyond the scope of my comprehension. Like you, I'm going to keep fighting, keep taking the moments to remember the world itself is quite beautiful, and that "to everything ... there is a season." Evil never wins in the end.
Thanks so much, Jenny. So true, some days the light seems a lot more distant than others, but it's always still there and we're moving towards it...💕
Did you see Governor Pritzker' speech? He's amazing! I bookmarked it for a pick me up when I need it. https://youtu.be/hS66O1C7Gp4?si=MrjcR6hABTiGXjoz
Thanks for this, Jenny! I am encouraged by everything I read from him, and look forward to listening to this :) We honestly do have some great leaders speaking out right now who give me hope. I hope they keep stirring up hope and noise in more and more people.
We live in some very troubled times, and you capture how it feels perfectly, Sydney. But you are right; there is still joy to be found. Thank you for your comforting words.
Thanks so much, Maria! I kind of have to prod myself to spend some time noticing and treasuring it these days...
Your sanctuary, a place to rest your heart indeed.
I love the snow pictures. My favorite is the one directly before the photo of the protest signs picture.
It’s difficult to capture the delicate beauty of snow.
The political? Yes, I too call the reps and senators, email and raise my voice. And yes, I get tired of seeing it in my socials. Thank you for continuing to shine the beauty of the world. In other social sites, I’m unfollowed or muted the folks who are only screaming into the wind. I read the news. I am aware. Having others shout at me isn’t helping.
Thanks so much, Teyani! That's my favorite one, too - it was so nice to be able to get the color-sparkles, they're ornery and don't always want to come through 🤣
Thanks for doing your part - and also finding balance in a time when we can't be all shouting, but must also nurture the empathy and the beauty and the connection that lets us fight without becoming like we're fighting against 💕
Beautiful writing and photos Sydney. I miss getting measurable snow, the past few years, it's all been snow to sleet to rain and gone overnight. Things are so distressing these days and I'm not sure we'll be able to recover before it's too late so our connections to nature will become more important than ever.
Thanks so much, Sandra! We've actually had similar weather patterns to yours for several years, too, and were so happy to get some snow back this winter! And yes, it's certainly looking that way 😢 💚
Sigh…. Heartbreaking from one perspective, tempered by that glorious perfection of nature. Take care dear Sydney.
Thanks so much, Beth! That is the awkward balance of life at times, the way that such evil can lurk and grow while such glorious beauty is ever-present. ❤️
I do not pretend to know when this insanity will end or how, but I pray peace will come to every heart and we find a way through that allows the best in humans to shine. Thank you for being one of those humans Sydney.❤️🙏🏼
I was looking for words to respond to Sydney, but you said it all so perfectly!
Sydney, thank you for all you do!
Thank you, Susanne - he really nailed it, didn't he? And thank you so much for adding your support :)
It is hard enough to watch from afar, but imagining living directly in that mess? You have all my support. In the end it isn’t only about the US - we can feel the impact already worldwide and it makes me sick to my stomach…
Thanks so much, Susanne. It's quite surreal, infuriating, deeply sad. I know energy is building, but it all still feels slow-motion, and I am still constantly surprised at the number of people who actively support this hateful movement, or still don't care 😳 It's a real physical blow when you're a person of any level of empathy. And such sorrow because, of course, we don't only impact ourselves - we are dragging the entire world into added suffering and loss of life. 💔
Thank you so much for these words of comfort, Ian!
So well said, Perry, thank you for sharing. Your words bring truth, and comfort, and so much hope 💕