Caitlin, you’re a tower of strength and support for the marginalized people of the world. Your love for humanity is absolutely profound. I honor your courage and commitment to fairness, equality and justice.
Thank you Caitlin, the beauty you see in all these things comes from within you, you are a beautiful soul dear Caitlin. I can’t possibly find words that are able to describe how inspiring you are to us in Gaza. Please know that you mean to us much more than words can say. Thank you for being you, we need more people like you in this world. Salute
"It’s always there. If you can’t see it, it’s because you’re not looking closely enough. Beauty is just a word for the experience of having truly seen something.”
To add another little quote to yours " With or without religion you would have good people do things and evil people doing doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things that takes religion"..Steven Weinberg
correction " With or without religion you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things that takes religion"
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Insisting that there is no beauty in such things is like saying that there is no humour to be found at the gallows. Without gallows humour all you have is the gallows. Without this grim beauty, all you have is grimness and Caitlin is writing about how one can continually apply oneself to the flensed grimness of humanity. I similarly see the beauty in the horror of the disastrous rhythms humanity builds, whilst I do something about it.
I love the modern revision of the quote you offer:
All that is necessary for evil to flourish is for good people to fund it.
You’ve described exactly what I’m going through too. I actually made myself ill, so had to take a break but I couldn’t stay away for long because we are the only people who can amplify their experience and voices. We can’t fail them.
Your writings are really important and valuable. Keep going ❤️
Your life is more difficult because your calling is higher! Very few can witness the abyss and stay steadfast in their faith! With fire we test the gold—with gold we test our servants! HE has made death a messenger of joy, a soothing balm to those suffering souls who sacrifice for a better world! God bless you and your good works! Keep your faith! All things serve a higher purpose!
Anytime I feel despondent or jaded with the overt horror we are witnessing I remind myself that Palestinians don't get a break or time-out & to stop being a whiny wimp. The undiminished dignity they exhibit through their peerless courage is an inspirational beauty.
Our world desperately requires the spirit of such beauty to prevail.
I hear that Mark; it's not a contest, nor an endurance challenge, but I consider the need for time out as a response to a first world problem... We might well be next and so I draw deeply from the cornucopia of reality, including the strength of Palestinians.
Nevertheless, everyone must look after themselves, which means caring for our inner and wider selves.
But right now I cannot see the beauty in anything. I know there are good, kind, and caring people out there. That there is still beauty in the most mundane and the sublime. But the endless suffering of the Palestinian people in an uncaring world shrouds all of that.
I am the child wounded and dying. I am the child orphaned, starving and lost. I am the mother cradling her dead child. I am the father running with the bloodied child in his arms. I am all the people forced from one wasteland to another.
and in the love... the love.... the great love that is there in the majority (of this caring world), despite the alienation that we are force fed every minute of every day by the tiny 1% who love only hateful, avaricious power. There is beauty in your resistance to it, in the resistance of the Palestinians to genocide, and in their endurance and hope.
Bless you Indu; I mean that dear internet stranger. Your compassion is a source of rejoicing here by us. That is beauty, surely. Focus on it and endure; it helps us all to.
Hey Indu, these days I rarely find it possible to read about anything that isn't related to Gaza, but I always listen to the substack audio of Adam Wilson's Peasantry School. As I listened just now, I thought of you and that hearing of some radical community building might be a welcome, lovely contrast to other 'news'.
Dear Jack Horner, I am grateful to you this morning for lifting me up from despondency. Reminding me ( as Caitlin has done ) that there still is goodness all around us. We may be internet strangers but you, Peter Sawchuk , gypsy33 and many friends here restore our confidence in the human capacity for good. That we can care even with a few words.
Thank you Jack for your thoughtful gift of the link to the beautiful people of the " Peasantry School". I am very moved by their generosity of spirit.
What right do I have to be happy when, but for the grace of the goddess, there go I?
I find no beauty in smoke rising from Gaza, or clear-cut forests, or strip mined mountains.
Who the fuck am I to be able to experience happiness when so many are suffering beyond our wildest imaginations?
And when my awful, awful nation is about to elect one of two bloodthirsty monsters?
The goddess placed me on this earth to create beauty, my only ability, which is either through gardening or drawing/painting. These are the only things that bring me any amount of solace.
One day I will go to Palestine and plant olive trees. THAT will make me happy.
Thank you gypsy33 for your kind response. You are doing fine with your talents, more than I can ever do. Do hope you will one day be able to go to Palestine and plant olive trees.
I used to make small contributions to the planting of olive trees.
Sadly, a few days ago I saw news footage of Israeli forces bulldozing olive trees.
I see ants as little miracles that I have to try not to step on. Then there are the crows keeping watch over everything. I find it easier to see beauty in animals and insects than in humans, although I sometimes do see that people can be amazing and wonderful. I have some problems seeing the beauty in the people driving the BMWs, coming out of their huge houses, never smiling or speaking.
Your comment reminds me to enjoy what I have, not only because Fortune could take it away at any moment, but also because I don't envy anyone's luxuries. Such possessions come at a cost and it's a cost I don't want to pay and am probably not capable of paying.
"True richness isn't having what you want but wanting what you have." I didn't make that up and don't know who did but I consider that the definition of blessed.
I have become so turned around that when I see someone with lots of stuff like an expensive car, a big house, a perfect lawn that has sucked up all kinds of pesticides, I see destruction and hate. I live in a place where on one side of a busy road are all those big houses and cars, but if I cross the road, it is apartment buildings and small houses. I have been crossing the road to walk my dog.
On the reflection from fiery Melbourne independent journalist Caitlin Johnstone:
This writing came from deep within her soul, and has a level of sacredness that was clearly felt by me. I tend to despair and shut down often but she has told us to let love drive how we look at a bleak global situation made worse by the unholy alliance between predatory capitalism from the oligarchs and the lust of political leaders to gain and maintain power, and most recently exemplified by half the USA in their support of that emerging prince of darkness, Donald Trump, and in the global ineptitude to halt the genocidal drama in the Middle East currently being executed with impunity by Netanyahu in collusion with the US.
The fact that the world is horrified and unable to do anything about it makes clear that the institutions that purport to serve world peace and "rules-based international order" are really puppets to advance the agendas of those most powerful, and especially the US, who are now increasingly bent on categorizing any exposition of their agendas as treasonous and deserving of harsh punishment, deciding to ramp up their use of fear to keep the public docile. The feudal system has been resurrected as a wolf in sheep's clothing, and the well-fed sheep choose not to see through this obvious disguise. The ill-fed are too busy trying to make it to the next moment to reflect on what binds them in that state
We call the indigenous barbarians and try to "civilize" them when the real barbarians really happen to be the “civilized” as they have confused the bible’s exhortation for stewardship of planet earth in the chosen word “dominion” as a call instead for domination and extinction of anything that stands in the way of their own fathomless greed.
The capacity to keep on loving even when even when anger consumes us and we despair the most is what we must look to develop to thrive in this increasingly insane world. Thank you much for pointing the way.
This is the greatest challenge of being alive: to witness the darkness of this world, and not allow it to consume our light.
Caitlin, you’re a tower of strength and support for the marginalized people of the world. Your love for humanity is absolutely profound. I honor your courage and commitment to fairness, equality and justice.
I cried reading your comment.
You’re so sweet, Landru! Thank you for liking my comment.🙏
Thank you Caitlin, the beauty you see in all these things comes from within you, you are a beautiful soul dear Caitlin. I can’t possibly find words that are able to describe how inspiring you are to us in Gaza. Please know that you mean to us much more than words can say. Thank you for being you, we need more people like you in this world. Salute
We don’t know each other, but I recognize your name and am relieved to see it here.💜
Thank you Annissa, very kind of you, appreciated. I try to write some words whenever I get internet connection. Best wishes.
Prayers and love Capt ❤️🇵🇸
Seeing your words is the beauty that Caitlin so sweetly speaks.
Thank you Susan, surely you have the gift of seeing.
"It’s always there. If you can’t see it, it’s because you’re not looking closely enough. Beauty is just a word for the experience of having truly seen something.”
A quote for the ages!
Sorry but there is no beauty in any of those things. Just the exposure of the humanity flensed and exposed for what they really are.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men, ( and women ) to do nothing."
To add another little quote to yours " With or without religion you would have good people do things and evil people doing doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things that takes religion"..Steven Weinberg
correction " With or without religion you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things that takes religion"
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Insisting that there is no beauty in such things is like saying that there is no humour to be found at the gallows. Without gallows humour all you have is the gallows. Without this grim beauty, all you have is grimness and Caitlin is writing about how one can continually apply oneself to the flensed grimness of humanity. I similarly see the beauty in the horror of the disastrous rhythms humanity builds, whilst I do something about it.
I love the modern revision of the quote you offer:
All that is necessary for evil to flourish is for good people to fund it.
BDS, extended to all those complicit.
I agree, David.
As an idealist, I find the ugliness in this world enough to drive me off a cliff.
Thank you so much for this ! I really needed it today .
Absolutely bloody brilliant. Made me fill up, and tears fell.
You’ve described exactly what I’m going through too. I actually made myself ill, so had to take a break but I couldn’t stay away for long because we are the only people who can amplify their experience and voices. We can’t fail them.
Your writings are really important and valuable. Keep going ❤️
Your life is more difficult because your calling is higher! Very few can witness the abyss and stay steadfast in their faith! With fire we test the gold—with gold we test our servants! HE has made death a messenger of joy, a soothing balm to those suffering souls who sacrifice for a better world! God bless you and your good works! Keep your faith! All things serve a higher purpose!
Anytime I feel despondent or jaded with the overt horror we are witnessing I remind myself that Palestinians don't get a break or time-out & to stop being a whiny wimp. The undiminished dignity they exhibit through their peerless courage is an inspirational beauty.
Our world desperately requires the spirit of such beauty to prevail.
I hear that Mark; it's not a contest, nor an endurance challenge, but I consider the need for time out as a response to a first world problem... We might well be next and so I draw deeply from the cornucopia of reality, including the strength of Palestinians.
Nevertheless, everyone must look after themselves, which means caring for our inner and wider selves.
You are my North Star from Down Under. Thank you.
That's a great one! Bravo!
God bless your heart
Thank you Caitlin. 🙏
But right now I cannot see the beauty in anything. I know there are good, kind, and caring people out there. That there is still beauty in the most mundane and the sublime. But the endless suffering of the Palestinian people in an uncaring world shrouds all of that.
I am the child wounded and dying. I am the child orphaned, starving and lost. I am the mother cradling her dead child. I am the father running with the bloodied child in his arms. I am all the people forced from one wasteland to another.
Where is the beauty in that?
The beauty is in your compassion and empathy. You and many like you are the beauty in this sea of depravity.
and in the love... the love.... the great love that is there in the majority (of this caring world), despite the alienation that we are force fed every minute of every day by the tiny 1% who love only hateful, avaricious power. There is beauty in your resistance to it, in the resistance of the Palestinians to genocide, and in their endurance and hope.
Bless you Indu; I mean that dear internet stranger. Your compassion is a source of rejoicing here by us. That is beauty, surely. Focus on it and endure; it helps us all to.
Bless you too, Jack Horner.
Hey Indu, these days I rarely find it possible to read about anything that isn't related to Gaza, but I always listen to the substack audio of Adam Wilson's Peasantry School. As I listened just now, I thought of you and that hearing of some radical community building might be a welcome, lovely contrast to other 'news'.
https://peasantryschool.substack.com/p/redux-what-happened-after-the-grocery
Dear Jack Horner, I am grateful to you this morning for lifting me up from despondency. Reminding me ( as Caitlin has done ) that there still is goodness all around us. We may be internet strangers but you, Peter Sawchuk , gypsy33 and many friends here restore our confidence in the human capacity for good. That we can care even with a few words.
Thank you Jack for your thoughtful gift of the link to the beautiful people of the " Peasantry School". I am very moved by their generosity of spirit.
Thank you, Peter Sawchuk.
Indu, I agree with you 1000%.
What right do I have to be happy when, but for the grace of the goddess, there go I?
I find no beauty in smoke rising from Gaza, or clear-cut forests, or strip mined mountains.
Who the fuck am I to be able to experience happiness when so many are suffering beyond our wildest imaginations?
And when my awful, awful nation is about to elect one of two bloodthirsty monsters?
The goddess placed me on this earth to create beauty, my only ability, which is either through gardening or drawing/painting. These are the only things that bring me any amount of solace.
One day I will go to Palestine and plant olive trees. THAT will make me happy.
Thank you gypsy33 for your kind response. You are doing fine with your talents, more than I can ever do. Do hope you will one day be able to go to Palestine and plant olive trees.
I used to make small contributions to the planting of olive trees.
Sadly, a few days ago I saw news footage of Israeli forces bulldozing olive trees.
I see ants as little miracles that I have to try not to step on. Then there are the crows keeping watch over everything. I find it easier to see beauty in animals and insects than in humans, although I sometimes do see that people can be amazing and wonderful. I have some problems seeing the beauty in the people driving the BMWs, coming out of their huge houses, never smiling or speaking.
Your comment reminds me to enjoy what I have, not only because Fortune could take it away at any moment, but also because I don't envy anyone's luxuries. Such possessions come at a cost and it's a cost I don't want to pay and am probably not capable of paying.
"True richness isn't having what you want but wanting what you have." I didn't make that up and don't know who did but I consider that the definition of blessed.
I have become so turned around that when I see someone with lots of stuff like an expensive car, a big house, a perfect lawn that has sucked up all kinds of pesticides, I see destruction and hate. I live in a place where on one side of a busy road are all those big houses and cars, but if I cross the road, it is apartment buildings and small houses. I have been crossing the road to walk my dog.
Animals certainly bring more joy than humanity, Susan!
We love our crows too; in fact our place is named “Black Crow Farm”.
On the reflection from fiery Melbourne independent journalist Caitlin Johnstone:
This writing came from deep within her soul, and has a level of sacredness that was clearly felt by me. I tend to despair and shut down often but she has told us to let love drive how we look at a bleak global situation made worse by the unholy alliance between predatory capitalism from the oligarchs and the lust of political leaders to gain and maintain power, and most recently exemplified by half the USA in their support of that emerging prince of darkness, Donald Trump, and in the global ineptitude to halt the genocidal drama in the Middle East currently being executed with impunity by Netanyahu in collusion with the US.
The fact that the world is horrified and unable to do anything about it makes clear that the institutions that purport to serve world peace and "rules-based international order" are really puppets to advance the agendas of those most powerful, and especially the US, who are now increasingly bent on categorizing any exposition of their agendas as treasonous and deserving of harsh punishment, deciding to ramp up their use of fear to keep the public docile. The feudal system has been resurrected as a wolf in sheep's clothing, and the well-fed sheep choose not to see through this obvious disguise. The ill-fed are too busy trying to make it to the next moment to reflect on what binds them in that state
We call the indigenous barbarians and try to "civilize" them when the real barbarians really happen to be the “civilized” as they have confused the bible’s exhortation for stewardship of planet earth in the chosen word “dominion” as a call instead for domination and extinction of anything that stands in the way of their own fathomless greed.
The capacity to keep on loving even when even when anger consumes us and we despair the most is what we must look to develop to thrive in this increasingly insane world. Thank you much for pointing the way.
👏👏 Well said!
Even in wars, flowers grow. ❤️