It's easy to watch the bleak horizon, fill your eyes and ears with promises of a grim future, and be fixated on foreboding cultural, social, political likelihoods to the point of being frozen and immobile.
Oftenāat least this has been the case for meāthat fixation on the fear of the future takes me away from possibilities for impact right in front of me. There's need and possibility and hope in my day right now: today I can help one person or do one life-giving deed or affirm kindness in some small way.
One of the 20th century's most impactful warriors against poverty was Mother Teresa. She said: "Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you."
We (you, me, us) are incredibly powerful.
Don't surrender that power by forsaking the now.
Jan 27, 2025
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iām not gonna go into the state of politics in this country, frankly I enjoy that this site has been a politics free space for the most part. with that being said, resigning to despair and the feeling of powerlessness serves only the status quo. inaction is not the solution, nor is waiting for the government to be what you want it to be. politics over: hereās the rec
be the change you want to see
as much of a cliche as this saying is, iāve grown to believe in it with my full being as iāve gotten older. for the things you have control over, for the practical needs that you can meet within your community, for the little things you can do every day to ease someoneās burden or generally be a pleasant interaction in someoneās life: bring to the world what you feel it lacks.
where you live there are likely already communities that are arising to support each other and call for change. seek those out if thatās a motivating notion for you. participate as much as you are able and as little as you please, every bit counts. being a visible and tangible example of how the agency we all have can create something better will motivate others to find their voice. a lot of people feel like you, but even a few in action is better than multitudes in despair.
community is so key, and the world we live in has created a situation where isolation is the default so that individuals are forced to rely on the market or the state to meet their needs. how much better would it be to have neighbors and friends as a support network, mutually exchanging their time and resources to strengthen the communtiy and invest in relationships that benefit the whole. the moment we all realize that we can do for each other what the world tells us we need to do ourselves, the stronger we will be and the more we can come together and enact real change from the bottom up, rather than being divided in pleading for a top down approach.
this may sound revolutionary because we have become so detached from community that we cannot envision the changes in our model of living that would have to be made, but itās sooo not that deep, and it feels more like investing in the good in others than sacrificing personal comforts. it can look like:
- shopping at a local business vs a corporate chain, get to know the staff, get to know your fellow patrons
- spending time with friends, there doesn't need to be a reason or occasion. make meals together, drive together to go do something, maybe literally just be in each others presence as you do daily life, share each others sacred presence amidst the mundane
- give things you donāt need to a friend who does, exchange clothes, exchange favors, share knowledge and resources, lend a skill or a craft, donate things if you donāt know someone who can use it, exchange things and experiences without the need for monetary incentive
- create things together, make art together, share and exchange media, try things for the joy of experiencing them without the need to be āgoodā at it,
- grieve together, worry together, talk out negative feelings, commiserate, support, encourage, motivate, share your accomplishments, celebrate together
- get to know your neighbors, why is everyone in isolation while in such proximity?
- get off that damn phone if it makes you feel bad, you wont miss out, the world happens outside of it, unlearn FOMO
- enjoy nature, go on walks, get outside, sweat and run and jump and see the sky
- remind yourself that life is about what happens right now, donāt be concerned with what could be or what was if you are unable to affect it in the present.
- go to a concert at a small venue for an artist youāve never heard of, bring friends, donāt preclude experience for the perceived necessity of entertainment
- unlearn grindset, but also unlearn bainrot. donāt fester in your down time. rest can be active, activity can be restorative. your time is precious and you will meet your need for purpose and direction by literally choosing to pursue a āmeaninglessā hobby in even what little time you may have vs scrolling and taking psychic damage.
- learn to enjoy the abundance of freely available joy in this world, we have been tricked to believe that money is the sole provider of a happy life
idk iām just becoming mindful of what brings me life in this world and so much of it is available to me solely by seeking it out instead of idleness in my free time under the guise of ārest.ā so much if it comes from seeing the divine in others and creating bonds and relationships and support networks. so much of it comes from enjoying beauty and art, and moderating and savoring that experience vs endless consumption and media gluttony.
the world through a screen is bleak, the world in front of your eyes can be beautiful, the system is broken but you and everyone you know has some untapped agency. anyway imma get off my soapbox, go catch a firefly or sit around a campfire with the homies. youāll be glad you did.
Jun 29, 2024
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Go outside and focus on one thing: greenery. Every time you see it, smile -- and you'll find yourself smiling more than you think.
At the end of the day, like hinted in your question, it's all about perspective. Let yourself feel the feelings, but know that in the grand scheme of things -- all these issues are breaking down so people like us, the optimists, can take inspired action to create better solutions that serve society today and thus inspire more positive action to be taken by those influenced by our actions.
Hope that helps <3
PS https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT8TBuGMh/
Feb 13, 2024
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Iāve really noticed myself struggling with confidence and making bold decisions. Showing up and taking up space. Zooming out has helped but what REALLY works for me is remembering that death and aging is a reality we will all face. There may or may not be life again after this. What harm would I do in this moment being my authentic self? Acting out on courage? Being bold and changing often? Will I turn 80 and realize how much I missed it all? And beyond the existentialism, how can I hold gratitude in the present moment? When dreading a walk; reminding myself that one day as Iām older a simple walk can become impossible. Even tomorrow, my entire life could change and I lose that simple privilege. (knock on wood). Even when youāre struggling financially/broke; how can you still bet on yourself and chase what you want? I think maybe just going after it no matter what? Idk. I know this is simple but just a reminder!!!
OUR LIVES ARE LEAVING US EVERY DAY. WE MUST ACT NOW & FAST! THERE IS AN URGENCY IN LIVING YOUR LIFE.
Jan 6, 2025
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this is worthy of celebration:Ā the lack of videoāautoplay video, noisy inane video, panicky video, algorithmic, dumb video, rabbit hole video, any videoāon pi.fyi is a good thing
Oct 5, 2024
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this is going to hurt āĀ A LOT āĀ but it's getting to the point where there's no other option
2d ago
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one of my 2025 habit goals
alone or with others, it is the best
Jan 21, 2025