GirlieOnTheEdge invites us every week to “Write 6 Sentences. No more. No less. Use the current week’s prompt word.”
Today’s prompt word is “Trick.” Here goes:
The innocence of young children captivates my heart. Halloween is a time when a test on the innocence might start. When children are introduced to “Trick or Treat,” treats are expected. Some years ago tricks were handed out – no innocence respected. There were apples with a razor inside, or popcorn balls with poison inserted. Many children have had to stop the door-to-door so danger was skirted.
Let’s just love, shall we? Protect the innocence. Love, JanBeek
A friend forwarded this to me. She said it was too good not to pass on. I agree👍🏽 So, I’m passing it on, too. It’s from Butler Bass from The Cottage<dianabutlerbass@substack.com>
It’s long and it’s political. I don’t usually post political viewpoints on my blog. But, I’m feeling the pain of what’s happening in the USA right now. And I feel like I need to do something. At least speak out. So here it is:
Everything is worse than expected. Hearts are breaking; many are confused and afraid. A late night reflection.
I hope you didn’t watch the news today.
Because today is one of those sorts of Trumpy Fridays — tariff insanity, stock market decline, a dismal jobs report, firing the director of the bureau who produced honest unemployment numbers, moving a convicted human trafficker to a cushy prison (most likely to pardon her), continuing crisis around the Epstein scandal, threatening Russia with nuclear submarines, $10 a pound ground beef, the dismantling of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, altering history, extortion of universities, and innocent people arrested and detained for no reason at all (except that they speak Spanish).
Welcome to America.
Here in the United States, we’ve just passed through the first six months of the second Trump term. If you are a reader who lives in a different nation, it is probably difficult to understand how difficult it has become here.
In May and June, I spent nearly a month in Europe. It was lovely being in places where people were laughing in the streets, who enjoyed being together and were not consumed with politics. Speech wasn’t guarded; no one cast furtive glances to see if ICE might suddenly appear.
When I returned home, it felt as if I’d been dropped off in a toxic waste dump. The air itself seemed poisoned in comparison to the month I’d just experienced. I couldn’t sleep. I was shaking. It was hard being here.
Shortly after my return, I was out to lunch with a friend. With her eyes downcast, she told me that she was having terrible nightmares, felt overwhelmed with sadness, and struggling with intense grief. “I can’t stand it anymore,” she confided. “Every story about immigrants being snatched by ICE, the cruelty of it all….” Her voice trailed off. “Am I going crazy?”
“I don’t know about that,” I replied. “Not sleeping, crying over the suffering of others? That seems pretty normal in these abnormal circumstances. You’ve got a soul.”
She lifted her gaze. “I’m serious,” I said, “if you weren’t sleepless and depressed, I’d think something was really wrong with you. All you’ve described only proves you are a moral human being.”
“But I can’t live this way,” she protested. I nodded, “I know. I feel the same way.” Then she asked, “What should I do? I can’t do anything. I don’t know what to do.” She seemed a bit lost, maybe somewhat guilty or perhaps even shamed by not knowing.
Although I didn’t say this to her, I remembered that before Trump was elected, one of the authors of Project 2025 bragged about how, if Trump won, their initial goal was to put Americans into trauma. He gleefully talked about wanting to traumatize federal workers and their families. But, even then, it seemed obvious that there were even more human targets for purposeful trauma. Millions of traumatized Americans, unable to function or respond in any meaningful way, would give them a clear pathway to execute their plans.
There are many ways to traumatize others — violence, abuse, witnessing or participating in harm to others, psychological manipulation. We’ve seen them all in these six months. These days, I’m less focused on those enacting all this evil than I am on the rest of us.
The victims of such behavior often suffer moral injury, a real condition, often associated with PTSD. The Veteran’s Affairs department defines moral injury: “In traumatic or unusually stressful circumstances, people may perpetrate, fail to prevent, or witness events that contradict deeply held moral beliefs and expectations.”
Moral injury is just that — trauma that violates one’s core ethical beliefs.
And that’s what we’ve been suffering for the last half year. A government that is purposefully, cruelly, and maliciously creating trauma to make millions of us transgress or shift our own moral boundaries — to inure us to their destruction of democracy and the harm being done to our neighbors.
If you feel bad, it means you haven’t yet been broken. It means you still have a soul. Your moral core has not been breached.
Six months of Trumpism and you have a beating heart. It is, however, probably suffering from moral injury. But you are still the beautiful, compassionate, empathetic human being you have been.
I didn’t say all of that to my friend. I may recognize the outlines of this mass trauma event and the impact it is having on all of us. But I’m not a therapist — and I certainly can’t help others process this moral heartbreak in any kind of professional way.
Instead, I shared a simple practice that is helping me right now.
“Do you know the Serenity Prayer?” I asked her.
“The AA prayer? That’s your suggestion?”
“Yes,” I replied, laughing a little, “I’m not in AA! But it is a really good prayer: ‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.’”
She looked at me quizzically. I explained, “I think I’m a bit ‘addicted’ to fixing things. But it is too much, too fast, too overwhelming. I can’t fix it. I can’t fix anything. These are powerful people and they are purposefully destroying things — including our hope. The first part reminds me that I can’t fix the economy, starvation in Gaza, all the lying and chaos, the blatant racism and misogyny…the list is long. I can’t send Trump or Stephen Miller or Russell Vought or Hegseth to therapy — or jail. I can’t remove any of them from office. I can’t change these things.”
I took a breath. “Accepting the things I cannot change doesn’t mean being passive or complicit. It means recognizing that I’m not God, I’m not that powerful, I’m just one limited human being.”
“I get that,” she said.
“But,” I continued, “there are things I can change. Those things that I am called to do, relationships in my part of the world. I can give, volunteer, write, be generous and kind, stay informed, tend to my soul and my own fears and griefs. I can even take some risks. I can still vote. I can speak out. I can do my work well. I can love. I can do good, even when it seems too little. I can’t change everything. I can change some things. And that’s where wisdom comes in.”
She said, “I hadn’t thought about that prayer as a guide for now. Yeah, I can’t do everything. But I can do those things right in front of me.”
I like the Serenity Prayer. But I also think it should be called the Serenity-Courage-Wisdom Prayer, because it doesn’t ask for one thing. It asks for three! The trio of dispositions work in concert to shift our own perspectives and attitudes. It isn’t about fixing anything. Instead, it opens a path of resilience and appropriate action that we may be transformed.
The prayer is attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, the great twentieth century American theologian. Niebuhr’s theology, richly imbued with irony and humility, emphasized the tensions and contradictions of human sinfulness and the necessity of social justice, communal ethics, and the practice of love. You sense that in this prayer — the recognition of our limits and the summons to genuine courage. But the paradox of serenity and courage must work tandem with wisdom, the ability to both accept and act in difficult and emotionally trying circumstances.
Niebuhr’s daughter thought that her father’s 1943 version of the prayer was his best — and is closest to his intention. It is notable that this version is a communal invocation, not an individual petition:
God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.
And that’s what I’m wondering. Of course, the prayer is a good guide for these hard days. It helps me. I think it is helping my friend.
But what of us? Can we pray the prayer together? In community, sharing our restless fear and relentless sorrow?
Give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed. Like there’s no real going back. We can’t live in some nostalgic America. We’re going to have technology and AI. We’re going to be living with the consequences of climate change. We can’t change the past mistakes and sins of our ancestors. We need an honest assessment of reality. We will shed many more tears over what cannot be changed.
What must we learn to accept?
Give us courage to change the things that should be changed. Not what we can change. But what should be changed. We might feel we can’t do big things. But there is so much that should be changed — for future generations to thrive, for the planet to flourish, for humanity to live justly and in peace. What should be changed? Do we even have the courage to ask the question?
What should be changed?
Give us wisdom to distinguish what cannot be changed from what should be changed. Only in that tension, the deep irony of the human condition, between the realism of what is and the dream of what should be, will our nightmares cease and our love increase. Wisdom, oh wisdom, we need you.
How would knowing the difference shift our lives and communities?
If enough of us embrace serenity, courage, and wisdom, things will change. But not because a some Golden Age is dawning or a political savior will save us. There’s only the long, hard work of being human — of striving toward love and justice, accompanied by the tender compassion of grace.
Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore we must be saved by hope.
Nothing which is true or beautiful or good makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore we must be saved by faith.
Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone; therefore we must be saved by love.
No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our standpoint. Therefore we must be saved by the final form of love which is forgiveness.
― Reinhold Niebuhr, The Irony of American History
INSPIRATION
If you are one who has practice meeting the pain of the world, we need you. Right now we need you to teach us it is possible to swallow what is weighty and still be able to rise. We need you to remind us we can be furious and scared and near feral over injustice and still thrill at the taste of a strawberry, ripe and sweet, can still meet a stranger and shake their hand, believing in their humanness. We need you to show us how we, too, can fall into the darkest, unplumbed pit and learn there a courage and beauty we could never learn from the light. If you have drowned in sorrow and still have somehow found a way to breathe, please, lead us. You are the one with the crumbs we need, the ones we will use to find our way back to the home of our hearts. — Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, “Please”
The words to the hymn below hit me square between the eyes last Sunday as we sang this in our church… and thought about how desperately I want God to “hear our cry and heal our nation.” I hope you find these words meaningful, too. Churches were singing it a decade ago… It was true then. It’s true now. We, as a nation, have lost the truth we need… I do believe that. Lord God, help us!
In an age of twisted values
In an age of twisted values we have lost the truth we need; in sophisticated language we have justified our greed; by our struggle for possessions we have robbed the poor and weak – hear our cry and heal our nation: your forgiveness, Lord, we seek.
2. We have built discrimination on our prejudice and fear; hatred swiftly turns to cruelty if we hold resentments dear. For communities divided by the walls of class and race hear our cry and heal our nation: show us, Lord, your love and grace.
3. When our families are broken; when our homes are full of strife; when our children are bewildered, when they lose their way in life; when we fail to give the aged all the care we know we should – hear our cry and heal our nation with your tender fatherhood.
4. We who hear your word so often choose so rarely to obey; turn us from our wilful blindness, give us truth to light our way. In the power of your Spirit come to cleanse us, make us new: hear our cry and heal our nation till our nation honours you.
Let us pray this song as a prayer… pray for God’s forgiveness, love and grace. God, please hear our cry and heal our nation. Heal our world!
God bless our nation, our world, and God Bless YOU!
I am sooooo saddened by the news of the helicopter/jet collision and the enormous loss of precious lives!
Yes, you might expect something like that in war zones, but right here in our USA… near Washington DC? As everyone is saying, “It should never have happened!”
One of the victims was a mother of a one and a three year old. Imagine those children and their dad :o( Two of the victims were champion ice skaters (one from USA and one from Russia) traveling back home from a training session… their moms were with them. Their trainers/coaches were with them. Imagine our grieving Ice Skaters’ World-wide! So sad!
President Trump (in a news interview this morning) said the names of the 64 victims will be released shortly. I want to pray specifically for each soul… and for their families and loved ones. So tragic!
What do you do while the clothes are fluffing in the dryer and you are waiting before taking them out to fold them?
Do you have paper and pens, color crayons and chalk sitting on your table where you’re waiting to fold clothes?
I do.
I love to write Acrostics while waiting in the laundry room for the clothes to fluff so I can fold them wrinkle free.
Here are a few of mine. You can guess the topic knowing these were created within the last four months.
ANTICIPATING OWEN 2/14/24
O ur W onderful E specially N ew
P resent U plifting us: P up!!
Screenshot
POOPY OWEN 3/18/24
P lease O bey, O wen! P oop Y our shit O utside W hen E ver N ecessary!
Please, Lord, help us figure out how to train this puppy to go outside – and to come when called!
OWEN LEO:HE’S LEARNING! 4/20/24
O odles of fun W hen he behaves E ven when he forgets, he N ever ceases to bring joy!
L et us be patient and E ncourage his good behavior. O wen is such a love!
FUTURE PLANS 6/7/24
F irst U p: T rouble erupted U nder our noses R eally sad E vent happened P up Owen died L anding outside the window A ttached to his leash N oose around his neck S uffocated, hung himself.
Where do we go from here? How do we keep living in this empty, vacuous house without Owen? He filled all the empty spaces in our home and hearts. We are devastated. Can’t think future plans right now.
DON’T GET STUCK 6/14/24
D isasters O ccur N ightmares T raumatize G oodness E nters T hrough S ensitive T rusting U nderstanding C aring K indred Spirits
We have been so blessed this week to have the love and hugs, flowers and cards, calls and caring of so many of our family & friends. They have encouraged us to grieve, of course, but “Don’t get stuck.” In Owen’s sweet memory Move On… Laugh again, Love again, Rejoice again, Snuggle again with Another Boston Terrier.
We’re not quite ready yet… But God is helping us heal. Thank you, God’s angels. We love you!
As most of you know, I spent my career in education. I taught all grades K-8 (except 3rd… don’t know why I skipped that one). Children are my passion…. their education, their safety, their equal opportunities. It breaks my heart when I see evidence of neglect or abuse or (heaven forbid) sex trafficking. Children are our most vulnerable humans and they need our protection, for they cannot protect themselves.
My passion for animals is especially poignant right now – – especially after our horrific accident last week when we lost our sweet puppy, Owen. I still can’t stop crying. My heart aches.
He was such a little rascal, but he wrapped himself around our hearts and we miss his company more than words can say. I am passionate about having a pet. Our house feels empty and vacuous without one. Owen filled all the empty corners of our hearts and our home. He brought such joy. How can we go on without a Boston Terrier chewing on our rugs, tugging on our heartstrings, filling our days?
Rest in peace, sweet puppy. You were an object of my affection, the recipient of my passion. Bob & I miss you so much!
My mom always quoted this saying: “It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
I don’t know its origin, but I certainly believe it.
Our hearts are hurting today. Yesterday we had to help our 12 year old Boston Terrier, TazE, over the Rainbow Bridge.
She was struggling to breathe, rasping… not eating or drinking for the last four days… and lost the use of her back legs twice during that time. Her organs were shutting down.
We were snowed in and unable to get out. It was terrible to see her suffer.
She had lost all kinds of weight since this picture was taken because even when she still was eating, it was very little.
We knew we were losing her, but we just didn’t want to let go. Who will be my walking partner?
Our wonderful neighbor, Rex, spent over an hour with the snow plow on his ATV here in our driveway yesterday plowing us out so we could take TazE to the vet. The ladies at Mountain View Vet Hospital in Sheridan/Twin Bridges were wonderfully compassionate, empathetic, and professional. TazE went peacefully in my arms.
My heart is breaking, but I know we did the right thing… and I believe when I get to heaven she’ll greet me at the pearly gates! It wouldn’t be heaven if our beloved furry family members aren’t there, too! Would it?
Bob won’t miss having the toenails to clip. That was a stressful job!! But he sure will miss his buddy when we’re out on our “Lucille” (she’s our ATV… a red head who is a Ball).
There is a part of Bob’s personality that only surfaces when he is with his Boston Buddy! I will miss that part of Bob!
Happy TazE
In Heaven our TazE will be forever young! Good-bye for now, sweet pup! See ya over the bridge… keep the light on!
Jesus loves the little children All the children of the world. Red and yellow, black and white, They are precious in his sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.
Jesus came to earth to show us how to live. He gave His life – what more must He give To teach us the lesson He came here to teach? Just love one another! Live that lesson and preach!
Preach to the world the need for compassion. Preach respect, integrity… Make them current fashion. Don’t let fear and ignorance take the reigns And infect our society and poison our brains.
White Replacement Theory? What a bunch of bunk! Don’t let such absurdity enter you. It’s just junk! God created each of us with blessed diversity. He created us equally. Believe that with certainty!
Those who fear other skin or folks from outside the USA Are showing us their ignorance by what they do and say. They don’t understand the message God sent to earth When He brought to this world His Son to give us second birth.
They don’t accept the well-known fact of Oneness, The same blood, same love, same spirit of “Done-ness.” We are were “done” by the Potter’s wheel and skill. We all were created by our God, our Savior’s Will.
No color is more beautiful; No skin is a favored one. No cuisine is more tasty. God differently flavored some. So wrap your mind around the true acts of love… Love others unconditionally – Give all hate a shove!
My heart goes out to the families and friends of the 10 who were senselessly murdered by a sick, crazed, fearful 18-year-old in NY this week. Additionally, worshipers were shot down in church two days ago… and the list goes on. It makes my stomach churn. It makes my head hurt. It puzzles my mind. I just don’t begin to understand. I want to help. I need to do my part.
So, with my left hand in a cast and my little finger throbbing, I hunt and peck with my right hand. I send my love out into the world – and I beg my readers to do what you can, too. Try to drown out hate with loud acts of love. Try to squelch fear with gigantic messages of compassion and understanding. Try to stamp out ignorance with numerous exchanges of God’s messages in His Word and through His Son. Do something. Do what you can.
Dear Heavenly Father, help us to set aside fear, hatred, ignorance, and divisiveness, and start as a nation and as a world to just love one another… Amen
