Good morning! It’s Friday. Here in the United States, it’s a federal holiday commemorating the ratification of the Declaration of Independence that led to the formation of our country.
I didn’t see this yesterday, but hope isn’t just limited to one day, so of course it gave me a sprinkle of hope, and fireflies! Thank you so much, Clara.
As we walked to our town's 4th of July parade, I really didn't feel there was much left to celebrate. Walking through all the booths with opportunities to take action, to take a stand, to make a difference, and to keep fighting, my spirits began to lift, and when the town's excellent volunteer band began to play a somber rendition of America the Beautiful, my eyes filled with tears. There is still much to celebrate and even more to work toward. Onward!
I taught Anne Frank and Tolkien for many years. These days are intense but I am holding onto the belief, like Anne, that “there is still good in the world”. Another inspiration is Sam Gamgee, “ I know now folks in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t….they were holding on to something. That there is some good in the world, Mr. Frodo, and it is worth fighting for”.
I will not surrender my hope, my dreams, and my faith in the good people of this country and the world to any petty, cruel, inhumane purveyor of terror and fear. But I will take some time to grieve and to acknowledge my sorrow, and then continue living and working with compassion, love and yes, hope!
So, thank you, Clara, for this moment of peace and restoration that we can return to over and over as we need to refresh ourselves. And thank you to all here for your touching and heartfelt reflections.
I disagree a bit with Howard Zinn’s quote. I think I have every right to despair. I’ll do my best on the last part though.
Who would have thought we’d be having a July 4 like this?
I imagine the earth trembling from the founding fathers and other dead proponents of democracy turning over in their graves.
All the celebratory celestial decorations and sounds of John Philip Sousa seem to make a travesty of this holiday. By the way, Sousa’s parents were immigrants from Portugal and Germany. Also note Irving Berlin was a Russian-Jewish immigrant. God bless America.
Not just despair but fury and shame too, at least in terms of how our collapse is hurting the rest of the world. I think, also, of Zinn's longer quote, which I shared last year:
“TO BE HOPEFUL in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.
What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.
And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”
I didn’t see this yesterday, but hope isn’t just limited to one day, so of course it gave me a sprinkle of hope, and fireflies! Thank you so much, Clara.
Hoo boy, that's a keeper, both video and sentiment.
As we walked to our town's 4th of July parade, I really didn't feel there was much left to celebrate. Walking through all the booths with opportunities to take action, to take a stand, to make a difference, and to keep fighting, my spirits began to lift, and when the town's excellent volunteer band began to play a somber rendition of America the Beautiful, my eyes filled with tears. There is still much to celebrate and even more to work toward. Onward!
Beautiful❤️
And thanks to all of you who comment. It truly helps to "hear" how others are feeling.
Leave A bit of your yard to “be wild”, the lightening bugs love it!
I taught Anne Frank and Tolkien for many years. These days are intense but I am holding onto the belief, like Anne, that “there is still good in the world”. Another inspiration is Sam Gamgee, “ I know now folks in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t….they were holding on to something. That there is some good in the world, Mr. Frodo, and it is worth fighting for”.
Like others here I have to insist on hope.
Great quote: a call to avoid moping, maudlin misery!
Wishing you well on this special day from Canada.
And I saw my first firefly flash last night while calling the cat for bedtime treats!
We saw hundreds when we went to the fireworks on Tuesday night for Canada Day.
I will not surrender my hope, my dreams, and my faith in the good people of this country and the world to any petty, cruel, inhumane purveyor of terror and fear. But I will take some time to grieve and to acknowledge my sorrow, and then continue living and working with compassion, love and yes, hope!
So, thank you, Clara, for this moment of peace and restoration that we can return to over and over as we need to refresh ourselves. And thank you to all here for your touching and heartfelt reflections.
No crowds, just frogs and fireflies and the flicker of a single candle. <3
A lot to ponder.
Such peace! Thinking of you all from the beautiful country to the North. We are devastated by everything happening to you old friend.
Truly a day for introspection. Video was great, thank you.
I saw fireflies for the first time last year when I visited Nashville. The little beacons of light flashing in the darkness seem super relevant today.
Thinking about you all on Independence Day.Greetings from the UK.
Perfect quotation for today
I disagree a bit with Howard Zinn’s quote. I think I have every right to despair. I’ll do my best on the last part though.
Who would have thought we’d be having a July 4 like this?
I imagine the earth trembling from the founding fathers and other dead proponents of democracy turning over in their graves.
All the celebratory celestial decorations and sounds of John Philip Sousa seem to make a travesty of this holiday. By the way, Sousa’s parents were immigrants from Portugal and Germany. Also note Irving Berlin was a Russian-Jewish immigrant. God bless America.
Not just despair but fury and shame too, at least in terms of how our collapse is hurting the rest of the world. I think, also, of Zinn's longer quote, which I shared last year:
“TO BE HOPEFUL in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.
What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.
And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”
Bless you. I grasp this and hope, for hope myst be accompanied by action otherwise it is just wishful thinking.