"…when we try to pick out anything by itself,
we find it hitched to everything else in the universe."
John Muir
Quote from Brain Pickings on Sunday, by Maria Popova.
Butterflies from St. Augustine, Key West and Baltimore. © Laine Quinn
It's a good idea to embrace
the other's otherness,
because
we are the other's other.
Just ask any whale!
We are all in this together!
Two Whales, ©2015, Laine Quinn, Cape cod
In his book, "Humankind, A Hopeful History",
Rutger Bregman writes about cynicism vs. realism.
And I quote:
Isn't it telling that in modern usage the realist has become synonymous
with the cynic – for someone with a pessimistic outlook?
In truth, it's the cynic who's out of touch.
In truth, we're living on Planet A,
where people are deeply inclined to be good to one another.
So, be realistic. Be courageous. Be true to your nature and offer your trust.
Do good in broad daylight,
and don't be ashamed of your generosity.
You may be dismissed as gullible and naive at first.
But remember, what's naive today may be common sense tomorrow.
It's time for a new realism.
It's time for a new view of humankind.
It's a good book, with lots of examples of goodness that outweighs the craziness.
Photo of Treaty Oak, in Jacksonville Florida, ©2020 Laine Quinn
They say that this Southern Live Oak tree is over 200 years old, but I would offer that it is way older than that!
Everyday – at least once a day –
Picture your perfect world.
At least once, for a few minutes or more!
Everyday.
Vilano Beach Reflection, © 2020 Laine Quinn
Collectively it is time that we imagine a better world.
No matter what happens in the next months or years,
it is time to put our minds on better things.
Call it the power of positive thinking,
of visualizing,
of collective prayer –
it all works and can change the world.
Psychopathic leaders of politics and industry – be warned –
it is time for the Human takeover of our world.
Time to imagine a world where we live harmoniously with the earth,
harmoniously with each other – near and far,
harmoniously with all creatures -great and small.
A world in partnership.
A world of compassion and love and generosity.
If it fits in your mind,
it fits in your world.
We are more than what we can imagine.
Collectively it's time to imagine
what comes after –
to dream big and have faith in the human heart,
in the human desire for connection.
Photos of our Beautiful Planet in the days ahead.
American Democracy has been considered
an experiment from its earliest days
and has been observed for over 200 years
to see if self-governance actually works.
America has faltered many many times yet she still stands.
The way that we participate in the experiment is up to us.
Voting is the most crucial and significant thing that we as Americans
can do to participate in this "grand" experiment.
Voting can be manipulated –
by gerrymandering Congressional districts,
by turning people away at the polls,
by intimidating people into not voting at all.
Ballots can be stolen, "misplaced" or rejected for some trumped up reason.
It is usually the minority party which is invested in suppressing the vote,
one way or the other.
Once they have power, they will do anything to keep it.
Whatever the tactics, it is imperative
that every eligible voter casts their vote
no matter how or who discourages us to do so.
VOTE.
The future is in the balance.
The future of our Earth, our food, our water,
healthcare, Social Security, racial justice.
It is all on the line.
Talk to your friends, your family – be sure that they plan to vote.
Our Future is in the balance.
VOTE!
Are you registered to vote?
Are you sure?
In some areas of the country,
if you have not participated in the last one or two election cycles,
you are purged from the voter rolls.
Period.
Do not wait for election day to discover that you are the victim of a voter purge.
Check ahead of time, like today.
In my county,
you must be registered to vote at least 30 days before an election
in order to participate in that election.
So, double check, even if you are sure that you are registered to vote.
Double check!
Call or visit online your Supervisor of Elections
and be sure that you can participate
in the most important presidential election
of your lifetime – so far!
Brought to by Laine, in the historic year of 2020.
Never met a stranger
When I heard that sentiment many years ago,
I spent several days, weeks, months scratching my head.
What on earth did it mean?
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks – of course –
none of us are strangers to one another.
As Joni Mitchell put it so many years ago,
"I see something of myself in everyone…"
All of our vulnerabilities and insecurities,
all of our hubris and self righteousness –
we all share these things.
Anxiety, arrogance, shame, hate, joy, love, ecstasy, balance –
Who hasn't experienced these emotions and lived to see another day?
Our humanity is what connects us.
Perfectly imperfect.
Some of us love dogs, others cats.
Some people love the ocean
and for others it's the mountains and valleys.
I like blue!
What's your favorite color?
(I won't hate you for it!)
Family at the beach ©2020 Laine Quinn
Let's be patient with one another.
We are all in this for the long haul
and depend on each other to remain safe and healthy.
Love and kindness are our best tools to see this through.
Love and kindness and patience.
Deep breath.
Sunrise, Saint Augustine Beach, Yesterday!
©2020 Laine Quinn
"Anchor the eternity of love in your own soul and embed this
planet with goodness. Lean toward the whispers of your own
heart, discover the universal truth, and follow its dictates.
Release the need to hate, to harbor division, and the enticement of revenge.
Release all bitterness. Hold only love, only peace in your heart, knowing that
the battle of good to overcome evil is already won. Choose confrontation
wisely, but when it is your time don't be afraid to stand up, speak up, and
speak out against injustice. And if you follow your truth down the road to
peace and the affirmation of love, if you shine like a beacon for all to see,
then the poetry of the great dreamers and philosophers is yours to
manifest in a nation, a world community, and a Beloved Community that is
finally at peace with itself."
John Lewis
From his book, Across That Bridge: Life Lessons and a Vision for Change,
quoted in a Beautiful tribute to John Lewis in Brain Pickings.
Surely he walks with the angels!
©2020 Laine Quinn – Sunrise, St. Augustine Beach
Gleanings From Living Long
Lainesblog Thinking Out Loud 