As someone that works in an airport, I can say that this is becoming more and more common, and it takes less and less to set people off. We're a nation always on edge, always twitching, and always "looking for a reason."
I find sticking to my meditation practice, working on metta specifically (a loving-kindness practice that can be challenging, but rewarding) helps me not let incidents with angry, frustrated, closed-minded people stick to me for very long.
It's always been there, but I think all these years of Trumpism has made bullying and intimidating not just commonplace but normalized in much of the country.
Normalized is the perfect word. I have a series of tattoos on my right forearm. I call it my reminders list: The words (all ending with periods) are be kind, create, always, extend, grace, and family.
Love it. I don't have any tattoos, but words/phrases I say to myself all the time are gratitude, kindness to self and others, child-like curiosity, movement and connection. Creativity should be there too.
Same. We're (collectively) on the wrong path. These incidents are just symptoms of something much bigger--something that'll take a lot of work to fix. I'm not sure we have it in us to make that happen.
Unfortunately, not just an American problem. It’s happening here in Canada too.
That's sad. Canada has been on my expat's list of possible relocation sites. Do I need to reconsider?
Maybe you should wait until after November 5th. If Trump gets in who knows what he’ll do to Canada.
True
As someone that works in an airport, I can say that this is becoming more and more common, and it takes less and less to set people off. We're a nation always on edge, always twitching, and always "looking for a reason."
I liked your comment (and thank you), but not what it's saying about our society right now.
I find sticking to my meditation practice, working on metta specifically (a loving-kindness practice that can be challenging, but rewarding) helps me not let incidents with angry, frustrated, closed-minded people stick to me for very long.
It's always been there, but I think all these years of Trumpism has made bullying and intimidating not just commonplace but normalized in much of the country.
Normalized is the perfect word. I have a series of tattoos on my right forearm. I call it my reminders list: The words (all ending with periods) are be kind, create, always, extend, grace, and family.
Love it. I don't have any tattoos, but words/phrases I say to myself all the time are gratitude, kindness to self and others, child-like curiosity, movement and connection. Creativity should be there too.
Same. We're (collectively) on the wrong path. These incidents are just symptoms of something much bigger--something that'll take a lot of work to fix. I'm not sure we have it in us to make that happen.
I found the essay on post-9/11 country music really interesting. It's amazing how music can shape our culture and society. 🎶 Marvelous writing 🌟