Liz, you and the moms aren't alone. I've not done a survey, but reviewing that list, few fail to resonate with my unsettled belly on a daily basis. We are a brilliant, advanced well educated, and civilized species - but we are obviously not uniform or alike in our experiences. One hand, I'm concerned for my fellow 2nd half of life cohort - we've been through a lot, and we've learned that most things that frighten us are bigger and scarier in our heads than they turn out to be.
Mostly, we turn our attention to our children and grandchildren --- who we love, admire, respect and have high regard for their capability, schooling and citizenship, because we've created them and played a role in their development as people, and fostered their worldliness and coping skills. We are so sophisticated in science, management and math - businesses, tech and medicine in particular ... and we are so amazing for our 300,000 years of evolving.
But, when we surf the news, we are barbaric and fighting bullies on the playground ... something we all experienced. BUT, we're all at the grown-ups' table now. World leaders, well-advised ones, should be 'steady hands on the wheel as they steer their countries, their citizens, through the choppy waters of life's difficulties. Trump might be the worst, but he's not alone. As we look around the world, it's scary for moms and dads all over the world.
The cause? The cure? The 'get through it' remedy? ...
As we learned during the pandemic, perhaps our generation's equivalent of the great depression + WWII, we learned that we can endure massively difficult things, we can adapt to a massively different world/construct and make our way under new constructs for how we live, work and play.
I'm doing my best to 'turn down the noise' and focus on what matters most for my well-being and prosperity in the years ahead. My focus is on AI. I think most average people think the techies will figure it all out and the big companies will give us the best tools and we'll 'stream our lives effortlessly forever after' ... and I think that's nonsense. If you think the world of work has done a quantum leap in the last six years, you ain't seen nuthin' yet! ...
Happy weekend - seems like you are extremely busy, and happy Dad's Day to all dads. And as a Canadian, a former Edmontonian and Oilers fan and season ticket holder, we are cheering hard for the Edmonton Oilers to reclaim the Stanley Cup. The coming week brings the G-7 to 'very near where Iive' which is still a very peaceful place. I shiver to think what our fellow humans will experience in the coming days in Iran, Ukraine, Gaza, L.A., DC and wish for them and us that 'this madness must end', and peacefully would be nice. Naiive to wish it, but who wishes for anything else?
I have a simmering pot of dread and worry for my profession as a scientist. The only thing keeping me sane is the normal day to day. The weather has finally been cooperative and I've ridden my bicycle to work many times this week. This has given me a whole lot of joy. Thank you for sharing and helping us all see that we're in this together.
Add some opinions of mothers who are Trump supporters.
Understand that what really counts is Republicans voicing their concerns; therefore to accomplish anything talk to Republican mothers, ask them what they think, tell them what you think, tell them facts that they are not seeing on conservative media. Be rational in your urgency. Only when Republican voters tell their Republican politicians will they listen.
My Instagram (like my substack) is public and open to anyone who follows me or doesn’t, provided there are no abusive comments or attacks. I included every opinion that I received here, and of course, my community is self-selecting.
I am not a professional pollster, and I’m not going for a statistically accurate analysis of anyone besides my own community at this time. That’s who is in most need of comfort and solidarity and support.
I disagree that their opinions do not “really count.” Of course they do. Besides, some of them come from long time Republicans, evangelical Christians, and at least part-time Fox News watchers.
And yes, all decent Americans need to step up. Particularly independents, and those who didn’t think it worthwhile to vote in the past election. I am always happy to have those conversations in good faith.
Liz, you and the moms aren't alone. I've not done a survey, but reviewing that list, few fail to resonate with my unsettled belly on a daily basis. We are a brilliant, advanced well educated, and civilized species - but we are obviously not uniform or alike in our experiences. One hand, I'm concerned for my fellow 2nd half of life cohort - we've been through a lot, and we've learned that most things that frighten us are bigger and scarier in our heads than they turn out to be.
Mostly, we turn our attention to our children and grandchildren --- who we love, admire, respect and have high regard for their capability, schooling and citizenship, because we've created them and played a role in their development as people, and fostered their worldliness and coping skills. We are so sophisticated in science, management and math - businesses, tech and medicine in particular ... and we are so amazing for our 300,000 years of evolving.
But, when we surf the news, we are barbaric and fighting bullies on the playground ... something we all experienced. BUT, we're all at the grown-ups' table now. World leaders, well-advised ones, should be 'steady hands on the wheel as they steer their countries, their citizens, through the choppy waters of life's difficulties. Trump might be the worst, but he's not alone. As we look around the world, it's scary for moms and dads all over the world.
The cause? The cure? The 'get through it' remedy? ...
As we learned during the pandemic, perhaps our generation's equivalent of the great depression + WWII, we learned that we can endure massively difficult things, we can adapt to a massively different world/construct and make our way under new constructs for how we live, work and play.
I'm doing my best to 'turn down the noise' and focus on what matters most for my well-being and prosperity in the years ahead. My focus is on AI. I think most average people think the techies will figure it all out and the big companies will give us the best tools and we'll 'stream our lives effortlessly forever after' ... and I think that's nonsense. If you think the world of work has done a quantum leap in the last six years, you ain't seen nuthin' yet! ...
Happy weekend - seems like you are extremely busy, and happy Dad's Day to all dads. And as a Canadian, a former Edmontonian and Oilers fan and season ticket holder, we are cheering hard for the Edmonton Oilers to reclaim the Stanley Cup. The coming week brings the G-7 to 'very near where Iive' which is still a very peaceful place. I shiver to think what our fellow humans will experience in the coming days in Iran, Ukraine, Gaza, L.A., DC and wish for them and us that 'this madness must end', and peacefully would be nice. Naiive to wish it, but who wishes for anything else?
Cheers, Mark
What a thoughtful comment, Mark, thank you so much for being here. And a happy Dad’s Day to you!
"Ice cream" "Hummingbirds" "Good hearted people"
Find the joys wherever they may be.
Lovely column. 💙💙💙
I have a simmering pot of dread and worry for my profession as a scientist. The only thing keeping me sane is the normal day to day. The weather has finally been cooperative and I've ridden my bicycle to work many times this week. This has given me a whole lot of joy. Thank you for sharing and helping us all see that we're in this together.
Thank you for your work, which I hope more people start to value ❤️
Add some opinions of mothers who are Trump supporters.
Understand that what really counts is Republicans voicing their concerns; therefore to accomplish anything talk to Republican mothers, ask them what they think, tell them what you think, tell them facts that they are not seeing on conservative media. Be rational in your urgency. Only when Republican voters tell their Republican politicians will they listen.
My Instagram (like my substack) is public and open to anyone who follows me or doesn’t, provided there are no abusive comments or attacks. I included every opinion that I received here, and of course, my community is self-selecting.
I am not a professional pollster, and I’m not going for a statistically accurate analysis of anyone besides my own community at this time. That’s who is in most need of comfort and solidarity and support.
I disagree that their opinions do not “really count.” Of course they do. Besides, some of them come from long time Republicans, evangelical Christians, and at least part-time Fox News watchers.
And yes, all decent Americans need to step up. Particularly independents, and those who didn’t think it worthwhile to vote in the past election. I am always happy to have those conversations in good faith.
Looking for the joy amid the chaos 🌸
Always ❤️