Take a break
#235
My Dear Friend of Democracy,
The reelection of Donald Trump, the war in Ukraine, maybe the struggle of your own country to keep democracy alive: There may be many reasons why we are overwhelmed, tired, exhausted.
What to do?
I've read this article by the fabulous New York Times columnist Margaret Renkl. (I share it as a gift text here, so there is no paywall.)
Her advice: walk in the woods.
Tune out, take a step back, relax. We need this at regular intervals.
We must not be preoccupied with negative news 24/7.
This does not mean quitting. Doesn't mean turning your back on politics and the world. On the contrary, it means refuelling and returning with new strength.
We will probably need that strength.
This is what US citizen Margaret Henkl has learnt:
"What this election has made absolutely, indisputably clear should have been clear to me all along: I will be fighting for the rest of my life to preserve the promise this country still holds for pluralism, for fairness, for decency, for true freedom. I am never going to breathe a sigh of relief. What choice is there but to fight?"
✊ So let's fight. But not in anger, not in rage, but rather joyfully and with conviction. There is nothing more beautiful than standing up for democracy.
See you in Europe,
Johannes
photo: taken on 21 August 2016