Thanks for posting this, Silvia. I've always found it fascinating the way the verb "yare" in the original Greek this phrase was written in gets translated to "fear" or "fearfully" in some English versions of the Bible. The original meaning is much closer to "awe" and "reverence" than fear. When I observe a magnificent summer sunset with monsoon clouds to the north when I'm in New Mexico, for instance, I feel a holy sort of awe at the beauty of nature. At the completeness and balance and enormity of it all. The universe. I do wonder if something gets lost along the way when we teach Americans, children especially, to be "God fearing" instead of, say, "in awe of the natural world of which we are all interconnected parts," which is what I think the original intended. There is a holiness and awe to creation, no matter what is being created, and we would all do well to respect it, whether that life is a human being or a bumblebee; the Creator put equal care into all of it.
Yes, and for me it means that and also means with great care. I am fascinated by the fact that every single human being is different… and that even identical twins are not identical.
Whatever comes next will surely be new and energized and superior to the nonsense we have right now. I think Claudia Sheinbaum is a good example of what you're talking about. Who would have thought, 30 years ago, that Mexico would have a feminist environmental scientist woman president who is doing things like banning GMOs and pesticides, creating a social-security type of pension system, enshrining reproductive choice into the constitution, etc? The only thing that never changes is that everything changes.
That was awesome, Alisa. I can hardly wait to share it in the morning. (Depending on Spoutible's traffic maybe I will tonight)
Meanwhile I'll leave you with a couple of things your piece inspired...
"The Gods too, are fond of a joke" - Aristotle
"The Gods are too fond of a joke" - Jstn Green|
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it. Always." - Mahatma Gandhi
Thanks, Jstn! I saw your recommendation to go to Spoutible and I'll consider it. I'm overwhelmed by most social media these days and have been sticking mostly to this platform and my essays. Meta is a disaster. I deleted my X account, and am glad I did, even if it supposedly meant losing almost 40,000 followers. I have a BlueSky account, but I don't get any traction on it. Anymore, I'm so much more interested in talking to my actual neighbors and friends and family than I am in "social media," which, it seems, is not social nor media.
Sorry it took so long to respond. I wanted to respond in an informative way and needed to set the time aside. Then I ended up writing this to someone else anyway off the cuff, so I'm pasting it in...
It’s (Spoutible is) a great site. Easy to use, very friendly (pretty much MAGAt-free, I think I’ve blocked 3 or 4 in a year). The only thing is it’s kind of a secret which is both good and bad. After a year, I’ve only got less than 1000 followers. I gave up 21,000 when I left the dead bird app. That’s a bit frustrating as I have a lot to say and not much time left, and followers equal a louder voice. Still during such times as this, it’s comforting, even if it’s a little “echo-chamber” -ish, much of the time. There are respectable debates to be had occasionally. I hope you'll join in and share your posts there too.
I agree with you on the colonialism thing. Ugh. When will it go away?! I like your definition of freedom. For me, it starts with giving myself permission to still feel awe, joy, reverence, to still connect with nature and Source, to still appreciate the smallest of things. I could spend an entire afternoon watching an ant colony, and be fortified in my soul.
Thank you for the response. About colonialism, my take is that this prez is the first one to use colonization on White folks, supplanting the systems created by previous White folks. It is historical to observe because the liberal left (and other) indignance is so shrill, as if this has never happened before--it just never happened to them before. So, in a big way this is a learning experience for the liberal left. And for us folks of color, we be doing what we always did in response to a government that enslaved, murdered and stole from us--we take care of and serve our community and we keep hechando pa'lante however we can, and definitely, leaving hate to the haters.
I agree that everything is always in motion. My near-death experience even showed me that death is not the end of consciousness. The only thing that never changes is the fact that everything is always changing. Source takes great delight, I think, in creativity for its own sake, in exploring different outcomes and variables, in recycling things into other things.
Thank you, Jack! I appreciate you taking the time to leave such supportive comments. I do read them, even if I don't always respond to everyone. I love hearing from you, and whenever your name pops up it reminds me of my Beloved New Mexico.
Thanks, Alisa. I read everything you write. Have for quite a while. Truth be told , I think I’m somewhat enamored, but don’t worry; I’m almost 78 and you could outrun me. Hell, RBG could probably outrun me if she were still alive. Anyway, you have all of the qualities I admire in a woman: smart and snarky in perfect balance, fierce determination to stand your ground, an incisive understanding of the world unfolding in front of you, a deep appreciation for the history underpinning the present, and a bone deep love of New Mexico, even when it disappoints you. I’m sure others see you just as clearly. That’s what makes your voice so important: its authenticity. I miss your videos though. Your tour of San Miguel’s was my favorite.
I’m too much of an introvert to build a following, even after having had such a public and prominent professional life. Now I’m just hiding in the chamisa and watching, occasionally spitting out bits of the novels in my head that I never got around to writing, and reading the work of some really good writers and thinkers here on Substack. It’s a great neighborhood
But I’m going home soon. I just rented a place on Camino Escondido, off of lower Canyon Road, from which I can stroll down the Alameda, in the early morning dappled shade of cottonwoods, to the Plaza and on down St Frank street to Tia Sophia’s for breakfast. Ahhhhhh 😋
Anyway, keep the faith, as we used to say upon parting in the 60s.
I know that story and have witnessed it in my own life. I agree, we have to stop and hold to account but also use the chaos as an opportunity to create something better 'Post MAGA'
This made my heart smile.....the first time in a long time. Thank you so much for the blessing you gave us all today of your beautiful writing full of encouragement and hope.
The best ....
Thanks, Ken! I appreciate you being a reader.
Thanks! I needed that.
Me too, something fierce.
I'm glad I could ease the pain of this moment, even if just a little.
You're welcome, Nicholas! Glad to have been able to help.
"The Fourth Turning" comes to mind.
Hi, Gabriel! I hadn't heard of this, but looked it up after reading this comment. I think you're on to something!
I needed this pep talk❣️❣️🐝🧙🏼♀️🍄
Thank you, Priscilla! I'm glad it helped. We're in this together, friend.
That’s because we were each fearfully and wonderfully made in our mother’s wombs. Psalm 139:14.
Thanks for posting this, Silvia. I've always found it fascinating the way the verb "yare" in the original Greek this phrase was written in gets translated to "fear" or "fearfully" in some English versions of the Bible. The original meaning is much closer to "awe" and "reverence" than fear. When I observe a magnificent summer sunset with monsoon clouds to the north when I'm in New Mexico, for instance, I feel a holy sort of awe at the beauty of nature. At the completeness and balance and enormity of it all. The universe. I do wonder if something gets lost along the way when we teach Americans, children especially, to be "God fearing" instead of, say, "in awe of the natural world of which we are all interconnected parts," which is what I think the original intended. There is a holiness and awe to creation, no matter what is being created, and we would all do well to respect it, whether that life is a human being or a bumblebee; the Creator put equal care into all of it.
Yes, and for me it means that and also means with great care. I am fascinated by the fact that every single human being is different… and that even identical twins are not identical.
Right? Like, how does that even WORK?!
You are so right. Onward!
Yes, onward we go. Together.
I have had similar thoughts lately. Maybe after this we will elect a woman president and pass some laws that actually help ordinary people.
Whatever comes next will surely be new and energized and superior to the nonsense we have right now. I think Claudia Sheinbaum is a good example of what you're talking about. Who would have thought, 30 years ago, that Mexico would have a feminist environmental scientist woman president who is doing things like banning GMOs and pesticides, creating a social-security type of pension system, enshrining reproductive choice into the constitution, etc? The only thing that never changes is that everything changes.
That was awesome, Alisa. I can hardly wait to share it in the morning. (Depending on Spoutible's traffic maybe I will tonight)
Meanwhile I'll leave you with a couple of things your piece inspired...
"The Gods too, are fond of a joke" - Aristotle
"The Gods are too fond of a joke" - Jstn Green|
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it. Always." - Mahatma Gandhi
Thanks, Jstn! I saw your recommendation to go to Spoutible and I'll consider it. I'm overwhelmed by most social media these days and have been sticking mostly to this platform and my essays. Meta is a disaster. I deleted my X account, and am glad I did, even if it supposedly meant losing almost 40,000 followers. I have a BlueSky account, but I don't get any traction on it. Anymore, I'm so much more interested in talking to my actual neighbors and friends and family than I am in "social media," which, it seems, is not social nor media.
Sorry it took so long to respond. I wanted to respond in an informative way and needed to set the time aside. Then I ended up writing this to someone else anyway off the cuff, so I'm pasting it in...
It’s (Spoutible is) a great site. Easy to use, very friendly (pretty much MAGAt-free, I think I’ve blocked 3 or 4 in a year). The only thing is it’s kind of a secret which is both good and bad. After a year, I’ve only got less than 1000 followers. I gave up 21,000 when I left the dead bird app. That’s a bit frustrating as I have a lot to say and not much time left, and followers equal a louder voice. Still during such times as this, it’s comforting, even if it’s a little “echo-chamber” -ish, much of the time. There are respectable debates to be had occasionally. I hope you'll join in and share your posts there too.
Colonialism is as colonialism does.
Freedom is an inside job first and foremost. Thanks for sharing your gift with community.
I agree with you on the colonialism thing. Ugh. When will it go away?! I like your definition of freedom. For me, it starts with giving myself permission to still feel awe, joy, reverence, to still connect with nature and Source, to still appreciate the smallest of things. I could spend an entire afternoon watching an ant colony, and be fortified in my soul.
Thank you for the response. About colonialism, my take is that this prez is the first one to use colonization on White folks, supplanting the systems created by previous White folks. It is historical to observe because the liberal left (and other) indignance is so shrill, as if this has never happened before--it just never happened to them before. So, in a big way this is a learning experience for the liberal left. And for us folks of color, we be doing what we always did in response to a government that enslaved, murdered and stole from us--we take care of and serve our community and we keep hechando pa'lante however we can, and definitely, leaving hate to the haters.
Remember Paul’s words in Philippians 3:13-14: Forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead. God’s not done with you!
God — is a finisher. You can’t get a better guarantee.
I agree that everything is always in motion. My near-death experience even showed me that death is not the end of consciousness. The only thing that never changes is the fact that everything is always changing. Source takes great delight, I think, in creativity for its own sake, in exploring different outcomes and variables, in recycling things into other things.
Intriguing Alisa. I’m glad you’re here. I’m trying to discover my purpose in life since my kids are moved out. Did you struggle with that?
You are a rare combination: a genius writer combined with grounded, realistic and optimistic humanity 🔥🥰🙏
Thanks, Tom! I appreciate that so much! I got your note about your book and will answer soon.
You’re doing great work, Alisa. You warm me.
Thank you, Jack! I appreciate you taking the time to leave such supportive comments. I do read them, even if I don't always respond to everyone. I love hearing from you, and whenever your name pops up it reminds me of my Beloved New Mexico.
Thanks, Alisa. I read everything you write. Have for quite a while. Truth be told , I think I’m somewhat enamored, but don’t worry; I’m almost 78 and you could outrun me. Hell, RBG could probably outrun me if she were still alive. Anyway, you have all of the qualities I admire in a woman: smart and snarky in perfect balance, fierce determination to stand your ground, an incisive understanding of the world unfolding in front of you, a deep appreciation for the history underpinning the present, and a bone deep love of New Mexico, even when it disappoints you. I’m sure others see you just as clearly. That’s what makes your voice so important: its authenticity. I miss your videos though. Your tour of San Miguel’s was my favorite.
I’m too much of an introvert to build a following, even after having had such a public and prominent professional life. Now I’m just hiding in the chamisa and watching, occasionally spitting out bits of the novels in my head that I never got around to writing, and reading the work of some really good writers and thinkers here on Substack. It’s a great neighborhood
But I’m going home soon. I just rented a place on Camino Escondido, off of lower Canyon Road, from which I can stroll down the Alameda, in the early morning dappled shade of cottonwoods, to the Plaza and on down St Frank street to Tia Sophia’s for breakfast. Ahhhhhh 😋
Anyway, keep the faith, as we used to say upon parting in the 60s.
Abrazos!
I know that story and have witnessed it in my own life. I agree, we have to stop and hold to account but also use the chaos as an opportunity to create something better 'Post MAGA'
Absolutely! Thanks for chiming in, friend.
Very inspiring! Thank you. I needed this today.
Thanks, Laura! I'm so glad it helped ease the burden, if only a little bit. We'll get through this.
This made my heart smile.....the first time in a long time. Thank you so much for the blessing you gave us all today of your beautiful writing full of encouragement and hope.
Thanks, Judy! I'm so glad. Your words warmed my heart.
Genocide.
Care to elaborate?
Live long enough to see the funny part right?