Saturday, June 14, 2025 is No Kings Day in the United States with over 1,800 events planned across the country; you can search locations here.
(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)
Join us for Linda’s One-Liner Wednesdays! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2025/06/11/one-liner-wednesday-better/
Vote for Democracy #35
(Photo by Lucas Sankey on Unsplash)
Tomorrow, April 5, 2025, there will be hundreds of gatherings across the United States for a Hands Off! day of action. There are even some events in other countries.
These nonviolent marches, rallies, and discussions are in protest of the way that Donald Trump and Elon Musk are gutting legitimate government programs that support the well-being of people and the environment, both in the US and around the world.
Many organizations are helping to organize these gatherings, all with the message of Hands Off! So, Hands Off Climate! Hands Off Health Care! Hands Off Hunger Programs! Hands Off USAID! Hands Off Education! Hands Off National Parks! and more. People will be making signs and creating chants across a wide range of issues that matter to them and to all of us.
While it’s unknown if these large numbers of people coming out across the country will have any impact on the cuts that Trump/Musk/DOGE are making, even when the courts say those cuts are illegal and Congress fails to act, it’s possible. Some cuts have been reversed or service restored after public outcry.
Part of this is to show the Republicans and the Trump administration just how appalling their actions are and how many millions of Americans object to them and want them reversed.
Ordinarily, I would be signed up and ready to participate in the local rally, but my health is preventing me from being there. It feels wrong not to be participating, but I have to trust that many others will be giving voice to my concerns in person, while I am confined to writing about it and calling my representatives. I’m also supporting some of the participating organizations.
I had intended to write more posts about what the administration was doing and the impacts of the insane cuts and policy changes; I just haven’t had the energy to do it. More tests and specialists coming up, so maybe things will get better – eventually.
With the country, I’m not so sure…
At noon yesterday, Rebecca Solnit convened a live online event entitled “The Way We Get Through This Is Together: Celebrating Community.” It was much more uplifting than watching the inauguration. You can view it here.
Join us for Linda’s Just Jot It January! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2025/01/21/daily-prompt-jusjojan-the-21st-2025/
It’s important to emphasize that hope is only a beginning; it’s not a substitute for action, only a basis for it.
~~~ Rebecca Solnit
Join us for Linda’s One-Liner Wednesdays! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2024/12/04/one-liner-wednesday-why/
Courage, after all, is not being unafraid, but doing what needs to be done in spite of fear.
James L. Farmer
Join us for Linda’s One-Liner Wednesdays! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2024/02/28/one-liner-wednesday-be-a-friend/
The time is always right to do what’s right.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Join us for Linda’s One-Liner Wednesday and/or Just Jot It January! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2024/01/17/one-liner-wednesday-jusjojan24-the-17th-grateful/
I am not one of those people who can “just do it.”
I think I’m constitutionally unable to be. (Not constitution as in government document but as in my personal makeup.)
If I am going to commit myself to do “a thing,” I need to consider it first to make sure it is the right thing for me to do at a certain time. I consider this being thoughtful, although it is sometimes mistaken for being slow, uncaring, indecisive, disapproving, etc. This can be frustrating and I sometimes have to explain to people that I just need a bit of time to process/think. People who know me well realize that it is just how I am.
There are times, though, that it might be helpful to be better at “just doing it.” There are times and tasks that I don’t like at all, such as housecleaning, when it might be better if I could just make myself do them rather than deferring.
Admittedly, on these cold, dark winter mornings, it can take an attitude of “just do it” just to get out of bed!
For the most part, though, I am grateful to be able to take time to consider before jumping into action. It may be slower but I make fewer mistakes/missteps when I take time to think rather than “just doing it.”
*****
Linda’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday this week is “just do it.” Join us for SoCS and/or Just Jot it January! Find out more here: https://lindaghill.com/2024/01/05/the-friday-reminder-for-socs-jusjojan-2024-daily-prompt-jan-6th/
Third Act Upstate New York has launched! You can watch the video of our amazing launch program:
Third Act Upstate New York: Working Group Launch from Third Act on Vimeo.
US-based Third Act was founded by Bill McKibben and Vanessa Arcara, both of whom spoke movingly at our launch, to engage elders (those 60+) in response to the current crises around climate and democracy. It is a national organization that has undertaken large-scale initiatives, such as the 3.21.23 Day of Action to Stop Dirty Banks targeting the big banks that are funding dirty fossil fuel development. It partners with other organizations across the age spectrum in support of climate and democracy initiatives, such as the recent climate week march in New York City. Its three main areas of activism are currently Fossil Free Finance, Democratize Energy, and Uplift Democracy and Voting.
If you are an elder anywhere in the United States, you can become a Third Act volunteer. The first step is to join the mailing list. That will get you information to join national calls and campaign initiatives. It also gives you the opportunity to join a Working Group. Some are affinity groups, such as Educators, Faith, or Retired Union Members. Others are geographic groups. Working groups help on national initiatives and also mobilize efforts around more local and state concerns that align with Third Act’s mission.
On our Upstate New York launch call, we were privileged to hear from Dr. Curt Stager of Paul Smith’s College speaking about how climate change is in evidence in the Adirondacks, from Dr. Bob Howarth of Cornell University about the implementation of the landmark New York Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, and Alÿcia Bacon of Mothers Out Front about energy equity.
Our launch also featured some arts breaks. Jane Hirshfield read her poem “Let Them Not Say” and Sarah Stockwell-Arthen sang Rabbi Shoshana Meira Friedman’s “The Tide Is Rising.”
Our theme for our Upstate New York launch was “Ordinary people doing extraordinary things…together.” We emphasized this by having several of our working group members, including me, offer brief comments on what brought them to Third Act and provide introductions to our speakers.
Part of the purpose of the launch was to encourage people who are lucky enough to be elders in Upstate New York to join us. Our invitation was delivered through a recorded message from Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass and professor at SUNY-Environmental Science and Forestry, and a live appeal from Michael Richardson, current facilitator for the Third Act Upstate New York Working Group.
I will add my own invitation because it is never too late to join in the effort, even if you are happening upon this post months or years after our October 5, 2023 launch date. You can join Third Act National using the link earlier in this post and, if you are an Upstater, our Working Group here: https://thirdact.org/working-groups/upstate-new-york/. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram.
I was part of the Launch Committee that planned this event, guided by the incredible Lani Ritter Hall, Third Act advisor and volunteer. Even if being able to join Third Act is far in your future, I hope you will watch our launch and draw information and inspiration from it.
If you are an Upstate NY elder, I hope to see you at an upcoming online meeting or in-person action.
Remember – Ordinary people can do extraordinary things together!
It is almost always fear that justifies our knee-jerk rebellion or our need to dominate—a fear that is hardly ever recognized as such because we are acting out and trying to control the situation.
Richard Rohr
Join us for Linda’s One-Liner Wednesday! You can find out more and check out her sweet post for this week here: https://lindaghill.com/2022/03/30/one-liner-wednesday-congratulations/
“A democracy cannot thrive where power remains unchecked and justice is reserved for a select few. Ignoring these cries and failing to respond to this movement is simply not an option — for peace cannot exist where justice is not served.”
Rep. John Lewis (1940-2020)
Please join us for Linda’s One-Liner Wednesdays! Find out how here: https://lindaghill.com/2020/07/22/one-liner-wednesday-july-22nd-the-small-things/
Badge by Laura @ riddlefromthemiddle.com
Joanne Corey 