With you as you navigate to open waters - that sounds a lot more peaceful to me. I need that open waters to find healing but am not sure when I will be able to maneuver my way out of the turbulence. I pray it is soon, but right now circumstances force us to live at a level of survival and we have to deal with it.
Turning my comment even more inward, I can say I am not in a calm wake but am navigating the turbulence personally in my faith and professionally in the church. I am hesitant to say what I think in many ways as one side or the other won't like it. I don't have the capacity to live in the conflict for very long at this moment as personal circumstances have me completely maxed out. I'm also caught in the turbulence as a person who wants to be engaged in political and social conversations to find new understanding from others, but I don't have a tribe - I don't fit anywhere - I see the two sides of almost everything and that frustrates and angers the 'us vs. them' mentality and again, the capacity to engage in these spaces is very low.
So this sounds like a journey I am very curious about, and I'm not going anywhere. Bless you friend.
Replying here and appreciating this conversation of support for each other. I sensed that this piece would resonate with many. It feels like we all are waking up in a huge lake and wondering how we got there, if we want to be there, and how to navigate if it isn't where we want to be. A whole nation of people in this space at different stages. And it simply has to unfold as we are kind to ourself and to others--who may or may not agree with us. (I am way behind in commenting due to my daughter's house selling and moving. Life!)
I can relate too well to your statement: "I'm also caught in the turbulence as a person who wants to be engaged in political and social conversations to find new understanding from others, but I don't have a tribe - I don't fit in anywhere..." I'm in a bit of a deconstructing phase that has, in many ways, made me feel like I'm on other people's "THEM" list. (As in us vs. them) Trying to sort out questions of seeking truth that goes against what I was always taught was truth; how to think for myself and express those thoughts without dishonoring those who were doing the best they knew how as they were raising me; how to balance the most important relationships I have that are with individuals who don't understand or agree with the journey I'm on; and even how to share new understanding with the now adult children that I proudly raised the way I was raised- who are now questioning how I could go so far "astray."
I'm beginning to believe that there is a "tribe" for me out there. They, like me, are just not sure how to make themselves known.
That's exactly it. Sorting it out and finding you can't always agree with your previous "US" but I also find that agreeing with "THEM" is a lot more nuanced than just switching. One thing about laying out all you thought you believed and really examining it, it is harder to go back and allow yourself to not examine the positions over and over. One thing I have discovered through all of this is more grace for others in these conversations. Being willing to say "I can't agree with you but I see why you landed where you are" is so freeing. It's a huge piece that is missing in our conversations these days.
See my comment to Tammy above. And this conversation makes me think of the lyrics of a Joni Mitchell song! "Oh, but now old friends, they're acting strange
And they shake their heads and they tell me that I've changed
Well, something's lost, but something's gained In living every day"
Tammy, I see you. I’m sorry you are facing so much turbulence at the moment. My hope is that you’ll find your way into calmer waters soon. Or that you’ll find a way to pendulate back and forth and make the turbulence more manageable and sustainable.
Thank you Sandy! Yes, we hope we will soon navigate out of this but the second option, being able to manage it better would be helpful. I have to find new skills yet again to do that I guess. Just when you think "ok I got this" and another wave hits. Praying calm waters for you too.
With you as you navigate to open waters - that sounds a lot more peaceful to me. I need that open waters to find healing but am not sure when I will be able to maneuver my way out of the turbulence. I pray it is soon, but right now circumstances force us to live at a level of survival and we have to deal with it.
Turning my comment even more inward, I can say I am not in a calm wake but am navigating the turbulence personally in my faith and professionally in the church. I am hesitant to say what I think in many ways as one side or the other won't like it. I don't have the capacity to live in the conflict for very long at this moment as personal circumstances have me completely maxed out. I'm also caught in the turbulence as a person who wants to be engaged in political and social conversations to find new understanding from others, but I don't have a tribe - I don't fit anywhere - I see the two sides of almost everything and that frustrates and angers the 'us vs. them' mentality and again, the capacity to engage in these spaces is very low.
So this sounds like a journey I am very curious about, and I'm not going anywhere. Bless you friend.
Replying here and appreciating this conversation of support for each other. I sensed that this piece would resonate with many. It feels like we all are waking up in a huge lake and wondering how we got there, if we want to be there, and how to navigate if it isn't where we want to be. A whole nation of people in this space at different stages. And it simply has to unfold as we are kind to ourself and to others--who may or may not agree with us. (I am way behind in commenting due to my daughter's house selling and moving. Life!)
I can relate too well to your statement: "I'm also caught in the turbulence as a person who wants to be engaged in political and social conversations to find new understanding from others, but I don't have a tribe - I don't fit in anywhere..." I'm in a bit of a deconstructing phase that has, in many ways, made me feel like I'm on other people's "THEM" list. (As in us vs. them) Trying to sort out questions of seeking truth that goes against what I was always taught was truth; how to think for myself and express those thoughts without dishonoring those who were doing the best they knew how as they were raising me; how to balance the most important relationships I have that are with individuals who don't understand or agree with the journey I'm on; and even how to share new understanding with the now adult children that I proudly raised the way I was raised- who are now questioning how I could go so far "astray."
I'm beginning to believe that there is a "tribe" for me out there. They, like me, are just not sure how to make themselves known.
That's exactly it. Sorting it out and finding you can't always agree with your previous "US" but I also find that agreeing with "THEM" is a lot more nuanced than just switching. One thing about laying out all you thought you believed and really examining it, it is harder to go back and allow yourself to not examine the positions over and over. One thing I have discovered through all of this is more grace for others in these conversations. Being willing to say "I can't agree with you but I see why you landed where you are" is so freeing. It's a huge piece that is missing in our conversations these days.
See my comment to Tammy! :-) You are not alone!
A lot of this resonates.
I too see both sides of everything!
I know you will find your tribe.
Blessing you with strength as you navigate the turbulence.
See my comment to Tammy above. And this conversation makes me think of the lyrics of a Joni Mitchell song! "Oh, but now old friends, they're acting strange
And they shake their heads and they tell me that I've changed
Well, something's lost, but something's gained In living every day"
Thank you Jane. I appreciate your encouragement.
Tammy, I see you. I’m sorry you are facing so much turbulence at the moment. My hope is that you’ll find your way into calmer waters soon. Or that you’ll find a way to pendulate back and forth and make the turbulence more manageable and sustainable.
Thank you Sandy! Yes, we hope we will soon navigate out of this but the second option, being able to manage it better would be helpful. I have to find new skills yet again to do that I guess. Just when you think "ok I got this" and another wave hits. Praying calm waters for you too.
Thank you.
I am catching up with comments today! Beautiful supportive people here!
This sounds like an excellent back-porch topic!
This soooo describes my life!
Right now I’m unpacking boxes having crossed the wake once again.
Listening to your gut feeling. Such wisdom there! Thank you for speaking into this topic.