INDIVISIBLE Lambertville NJ / New Hope PA

Category: Editorial

  • From the Editor

    From the Editor

    It’s Saturday morning in the midst of the second Senate impeachment trial and as Yogi Berra might say, “it’s deja vu all over again.” Too often when putting this newsletter together I find we’re in a critical moment in our history, the outcome uncertain and I am fluctuating between words of hope and suppressing abject despair. 

    This time, however, we have decent, experienced public servants and legislators in the White House and in the majority in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The verdict in this trial may be unknown at the moment, and may in fact, fall short of the outcome we know to be warranted, but the tides are changing. Unlike the tide which are a result of natural forces, however, we must continue our efforts to shore up people and policies that support the people, the environment, our country and our place as global citizens. 

    How do we do this when the country is more divided than ever? Let’s say we didn’t get here overnight. It may seem a daunting task to address the inventory of all the fault lines exposed over these past four plus years, and it will take consistent, daily effort to make incremental change. 

    In my good moments, I am optimistic. I see the executive orders that PRESIDENT Joe Biden has rushed through in less than a month. I see some movement on the Republican side away from the staunch party loyalty that may signal the end of the Grand OLD Party, or the beginning of something new. I see diversity becoming more than a corporate training exercise, and people researching how to have conversations that heal. I see people finding their voice, reclaiming their power and understanding their responsibility to their community, to bringing their energy, skills and talent to rebuilding our democracy on a more solid, secure foundation – one that truly is representative of equality and justice for all the people. 

    As always, I’m awed by the contributions from our team of writers this month. Be sure to check all of them out, as there’s lots to consider, lots to learn and much to do. Above all, be safe, and be well – the light is returning!

    Much love, 

    Deb

  • From the Editor

    Dear Indivizzies,

    This month’s newsletter is shorter than usual as we prepare for a longer Winter’s nap. While December is typically chucky-jam-full of activities, this year we might better align ourselves with the rhythm of the seasons. Days are shorter and darker, signaling a time when nature slows down and draws inward. Now, instead of trying to squeeze one more party, one more shopping trip, one more cocktail into an already overloaded schedule, we are forced to stay closer to our dens, to find gratitude in a warm cup of tea and cozy blanket.

    For some, the lack of social activity and company may feel isolating, but we may be better served to see it at it as a time of solitude. The idea of solitude – extolled by philosophers and romanticized by poets – offers a time of mindfulness, of self-inspection, of spending time with that which is too easily ignored or overlooked when social demands keep us busy, the outcome of which is frequently profound growth and creativity. The Dark Ages gave way to the Renaissance, the wars and Depression of the early 20th Century brought about the New Deal. Undoubtedly, we are weary of the restrictions of COVID, but what if we’re in the midst of a chrysalis from which great social transformation springs forth?

    What can we do when it seems we are unable to do anything? As one of my favorite writers, Pema Chodrun, says, “Start where you are.” This means acknowledging what you feel – anger, sorrow, fear, joy, desire – and letting it in. The key here is allowing the good, bad and ugly that feels desperately personal, and then understanding that you are part of a vast human chain that is feeling similarly. Through this, we awaken compassion, and through compassion, we can build a responsible, caring community.

    For those that have taken the CTC training, this is the core of conversations: sharing a story about someone or something meaningful to you, being vulnerable and connecting to another human through vulnerability. We’re only human, after all. 

    Winter Solstice on December 21 – the longest night and shortest day of the year – celebrates the return of the light. One month later, Wednesday, January 20, we celebrate the inauguration of Joe Biden as president and Kamala Harris as vice president. While many of us see this as a “return of the light” of a more normal democracy, it must be more than returning to the systems and practices that ultimately resulted in the past four years.

    Enjoy this time of solitude. Practice radical compassion. Love your neighbor. Love yourself. Build a better world.

    Peace and much love,

    Deb

  • From the Editor

    From the Editor

    Contributed by Deb Kline, Editor.

    It’s early Friday morning after the election and it’s clear the marathon isn’t over. Waking up to John Legend singing, “Georgia” feeds the hope that we’ll soon realize all we worked for over these past few months has paid off and by 5 pm today we’ll be popping champagne, dancing and crying tears of joy.

    We are sleepless and exhausted. We are dismayed that our country has come to this point, that the Liar-in-Chief and his ilk wasn’t swept out in a resounding tidal wave of repudim. We desperately want to go back to normal, to greet our neighbor without wondering who they voted for, to see the signs disappear from lawns, to gather at Bell’s, hug our family and friends. We want the chaos to be over. 

    Anyone who’s been involved in the birthing process knows it’s messy. Further, whether it’s children, puppies or a new idea, the only way the newborn thrives is with continuous care and feeding, Often, there are sleepless nights and sacrifice. 

    Our country was a new idea born out of tremendous hardship and sacrifice. It was born out of the strong belief that all people are created equal, and built on the faith and labor of our ancestors – some of whom went to war to protect the democracy, some of whom escaped totalitarian regimes, many of whom saw a new opportunity in this beautiful country we call home. 

    For too many years, however, “we the people” were neglectful caretakers. A percentage of the country thrived – or thought we did – while piece by piece democracy was crumbling. Maybe we voted, maybe we even engaged in a protest here and there, maybe even fewer ran for office or even knew who was running for office. 

    But, a large percentage of the country didn’t thrive. Wages stagnated. Communities were devastated as businesses found cheaper labor where there were no worker protections or unions. The wealth gap widened and anger grew. People looked for heroes, someone who might reflect their anger, someone who blamed anyone and everyone else. “I take no responsibility,” was probably among the truest words spoken by the 45th president of the United States. 

    There are a thousand reasons for the division in this country but the bottom line is that a deep inspection of the systemic failures is sorely needed. If nothing else, the past four years have brought that to a head. As heartbreaking of a moment it is to understand that nearly half of this country puts their faith in a snake oil salesman, we have to ask, “Why?” 

    Indivizzies, we have much, much work to do, and it must be done with open ears, hearts and minds. At the Protect the Results rally on Wednesday, singer Chavez Ravine prefaced her beautiful rendition of America the Beautiful with this question: “What kind of ancestor are you going to be?” 

    Good question.  

     ‘Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.’

    -Arundhati Roy

    With much love, 

    Deb