Donald Trump is an embarrassment, a scourge, a menace. He doesn't belong where he is. I won't rest until he's gone, and that's a promise I intend to keep. But there's more to life than Trump.
Oh my dear Ramona, this is such a beautiful essay. It went straight to my heart and lifted me up from the depths of my despair. And that beautiful photo? Icing on the cake. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Thank you, Ramona. This made me so happy to read. I wrote something yesterday on my FB (yeah, I’m still on there) in response to an acquaintance who questioned the whole Bernie/AOC tour. To what end?, she asked. This woman is so damn cynical about everything. Here in Tempe, AZ 15,000 people showed up and another 23,000 showed up in Tucson! I think we can get creative and band together to overcome the assholes! But she had nothing but negative thoughts, very discouraging. There is nothing to be gained living in that space. You have the right idea, finding balance, fighting but finding joy. I look forward to your humorous articles after your workshop! Btw, I watched Kathleen Madigan on Netflix the other night and it felt so good to hear my own laughter!
Ramona, I’m so glad you’re choosing decency and dignity and joy! You are an inspiration. It’s so tempting to give in to despair, considering the way the mainstream media normalizes everything he does. But we must take care of ourselves — and laugh! Some of the Substack writers who keep me sane: Andy Borowitz, Jay Kuo (who writes serious, intelligent stuff, but also puts out Skeets and Giggles on Saturdays), and Jeff Tiedrich, whose expletive-filled columns may not appeal to everyone, but they make me laugh every time! Can’t find the quote now but Professor Heather Cox Richardson said something a while back about finding joy and how it prevents authoritarians from taking over. Anyone know that quote?
What a good way to work through the dark feelings of clouds to a little more light. Laughter is indeed the best medicine and your outline of your experience and process of moving from one state to another is a good design to follow. Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work. Envious of your Interlochen writer's retreat. Need to find one closer to me as travel is limited.
A beautiful piece of insight that echoes my own feelings on the choices we make during this traumatic, trying time. I've shared similar messages in my own articles because I think it's so important NOT to cede our entire lives, our 24/7 attention, to the travesty that is Trump, et al. We are obligated as sentient humans to seek and find balance, for ourselves, our families and friends, even the energy field (if you will) of our whole country... the world! I'm doing my best to find that balance. Articles like this one, Ramona, offer powerful perspective on ways to do that; thank you.
I am all smiles here, my friend. Yes, let's not let them take our resilience, our unity, our joy!! Grateful for the examples from other writers and grateful to have you leading this particular charge from your part in this resistance. Thank you!
I am so glad you found my post in line with what is making you feel better. Since my visit to the comedy club,. anger has tried to work destructively in me but now I allow myself a fantasy: I imagine the bad guys on their stage or screen and everyone laughing at them. No matter what they say or threaten, we laugh. I would hate to weaponize such a valuable thing as a giggle fit but it is great at sapping power from those who would be kings and making us laughers stronger.
Oh, Elizabeth, whatever it takes! We’re all struggling to make sense of any of this. A good laugh is like a good cry—they both give us strength to move on. Thank you for sharing your piece. ❤️
ALL OF THIS. Dare I say it like the youngsters do, your vibe is VIBING and your energy is inspiring. You’re absolutely right, being angry all the time is not sustainable. We can balance the level of outrage with a level of laughter or joy in our own way. Grace is not my middle name, so I might trip on something along the way, but here we go, one foot in front of the other, together.
Thank you Ramona! Yesterday I was trying to rewrite/amend something that I had written a year ago, and totally struggled with the conflicting and differing feelings I was having from when I had originally written it. I finally just saved it to my drafts. But thought about my emotions all day, and finally realized that I'm not that person anymore and we aren't living in the same world anymore. My perspective was all mixed up. But your words here have helped me! Maybe today it will come together the right way!
Oh, Nancy, I hope you find your words, if not today, then tomorrow or whenever they strike you. This is a mixed up time. We’re all feeling it, I’m afraid, but here we are, together, talking about it. That may be how we get through this!
Ramona, I surely could use a good laugh! But,I'm wondering how to verify that it IS a copy hanging in our Oval Office office? I know the Turnip's staff offered him a copy....but I thought he changed his mind and demanded the Real Document. I have never felt such white hot rage as when I read that!
We all need little bright spots in our day. We will get through this and and there will be something better when we do.
The article shows the real thing vs a copy and the real thing is quite faded. The picture of the Declaration in the Oval Office looks ‘new’.
I think the Archives would balk at releasing such a precious document, even to the ‘president’. Though they might have been rascally enough to convince Trump he had the original. Wouldn’t that be a hoot?
Ramona. Just saw an article today about it. I believe it is the real thing and I am sick to my stomach. Terry Moran asked him what it meant to him and his answer proves he has not a damn clue.
When trying to link the article, I do also see it is a copy. I apologize. It still makes me sick that he even has such a document - because we all know he wants it just to have it. Not because he cherishes it. Vile.
I'm with you. I'm remembering that what we resist, persists. Let's embrace our feelings about the cruel chaos, share and connect with other like-minded souls, and return to our powerful selves without fear. I think it's time to come out of the fog of despair, acknowledge the truths that we know, do what we can, and let it go. Ignoring him is our best defense and we have to regain ourSELVES to settle back into our powerful selves. Thank you Mona, perfect timing for me!
Oh my dear Ramona, this is such a beautiful essay. It went straight to my heart and lifted me up from the depths of my despair. And that beautiful photo? Icing on the cake. Thank you for sharing this with us!
Thank you, Ramona. This made me so happy to read. I wrote something yesterday on my FB (yeah, I’m still on there) in response to an acquaintance who questioned the whole Bernie/AOC tour. To what end?, she asked. This woman is so damn cynical about everything. Here in Tempe, AZ 15,000 people showed up and another 23,000 showed up in Tucson! I think we can get creative and band together to overcome the assholes! But she had nothing but negative thoughts, very discouraging. There is nothing to be gained living in that space. You have the right idea, finding balance, fighting but finding joy. I look forward to your humorous articles after your workshop! Btw, I watched Kathleen Madigan on Netflix the other night and it felt so good to hear my own laughter!
I know the type. I've let go of most of them long ago. Can't deal with downers now. But I'm going to look for Kathleen Madigan. Thanks!
Wonderful piece!!!!! Reminds me of a quote by one of my favorite authors, Tom Robbins "I believe in Joy in spite of everything." 💙💙💙💙💙
Ramona, I’m so glad you’re choosing decency and dignity and joy! You are an inspiration. It’s so tempting to give in to despair, considering the way the mainstream media normalizes everything he does. But we must take care of ourselves — and laugh! Some of the Substack writers who keep me sane: Andy Borowitz, Jay Kuo (who writes serious, intelligent stuff, but also puts out Skeets and Giggles on Saturdays), and Jeff Tiedrich, whose expletive-filled columns may not appeal to everyone, but they make me laugh every time! Can’t find the quote now but Professor Heather Cox Richardson said something a while back about finding joy and how it prevents authoritarians from taking over. Anyone know that quote?
What a good way to work through the dark feelings of clouds to a little more light. Laughter is indeed the best medicine and your outline of your experience and process of moving from one state to another is a good design to follow. Thanks for sharing, keep up the good work. Envious of your Interlochen writer's retreat. Need to find one closer to me as travel is limited.
A beautiful piece of insight that echoes my own feelings on the choices we make during this traumatic, trying time. I've shared similar messages in my own articles because I think it's so important NOT to cede our entire lives, our 24/7 attention, to the travesty that is Trump, et al. We are obligated as sentient humans to seek and find balance, for ourselves, our families and friends, even the energy field (if you will) of our whole country... the world! I'm doing my best to find that balance. Articles like this one, Ramona, offer powerful perspective on ways to do that; thank you.
You are so right. R&R is healthy💙🇺🇸💕
I am all smiles here, my friend. Yes, let's not let them take our resilience, our unity, our joy!! Grateful for the examples from other writers and grateful to have you leading this particular charge from your part in this resistance. Thank you!
No, thank YOU, dear Elizabeth. You're a source of such joy, always. ❤️
🥰
Yes, yes, yes.
I am so glad you found my post in line with what is making you feel better. Since my visit to the comedy club,. anger has tried to work destructively in me but now I allow myself a fantasy: I imagine the bad guys on their stage or screen and everyone laughing at them. No matter what they say or threaten, we laugh. I would hate to weaponize such a valuable thing as a giggle fit but it is great at sapping power from those who would be kings and making us laughers stronger.
Oh, Elizabeth, whatever it takes! We’re all struggling to make sense of any of this. A good laugh is like a good cry—they both give us strength to move on. Thank you for sharing your piece. ❤️
ALL OF THIS. Dare I say it like the youngsters do, your vibe is VIBING and your energy is inspiring. You’re absolutely right, being angry all the time is not sustainable. We can balance the level of outrage with a level of laughter or joy in our own way. Grace is not my middle name, so I might trip on something along the way, but here we go, one foot in front of the other, together.
Well, grace is sort of my middle name (Gracia) but I certainly don’t own it! Yes, one foot in front of the other, together. I love that! ❤️
Thank you Ramona! Yesterday I was trying to rewrite/amend something that I had written a year ago, and totally struggled with the conflicting and differing feelings I was having from when I had originally written it. I finally just saved it to my drafts. But thought about my emotions all day, and finally realized that I'm not that person anymore and we aren't living in the same world anymore. My perspective was all mixed up. But your words here have helped me! Maybe today it will come together the right way!
Oh, Nancy, I hope you find your words, if not today, then tomorrow or whenever they strike you. This is a mixed up time. We’re all feeling it, I’m afraid, but here we are, together, talking about it. That may be how we get through this!
💯🎯😊 Spot on! It is good to laugh!!!!
Ramona, I surely could use a good laugh! But,I'm wondering how to verify that it IS a copy hanging in our Oval Office office? I know the Turnip's staff offered him a copy....but I thought he changed his mind and demanded the Real Document. I have never felt such white hot rage as when I read that!
We all need little bright spots in our day. We will get through this and and there will be something better when we do.
The article shows the real thing vs a copy and the real thing is quite faded. The picture of the Declaration in the Oval Office looks ‘new’.
I think the Archives would balk at releasing such a precious document, even to the ‘president’. Though they might have been rascally enough to convince Trump he had the original. Wouldn’t that be a hoot?
@Ramona. I sincerely hope so.
Ramona. Just saw an article today about it. I believe it is the real thing and I am sick to my stomach. Terry Moran asked him what it meant to him and his answer proves he has not a damn clue.
Everything I could find says it’s a copy. Can you link the article? Thanks.
When trying to link the article, I do also see it is a copy. I apologize. It still makes me sick that he even has such a document - because we all know he wants it just to have it. Not because he cherishes it. Vile.
I'm with you. I'm remembering that what we resist, persists. Let's embrace our feelings about the cruel chaos, share and connect with other like-minded souls, and return to our powerful selves without fear. I think it's time to come out of the fog of despair, acknowledge the truths that we know, do what we can, and let it go. Ignoring him is our best defense and we have to regain ourSELVES to settle back into our powerful selves. Thank you Mona, perfect timing for me!
It truly is a matter of balance. I’m slowly learning that! ❤️
It's a minute-to-minute discipline for me. However, practice makes perfect so I'm sticking to it!