Gosh Tara, Thank you!! We must have a telepathic link because I just sent out a follow-up request to 'Music Memories'! I appreciate the shout-out. Also, you've provided a perfect segue for another article, so I'll link back to this one. I love our link-ups! Gratitude and hugs!
Thanks, Tara. Let me know if you'd like to contribute a link-up piece for the music articles. I want to focus on how music shifts moods for this next one, but we'll see the article dances with what the writers offer.
Thanks, Tara for another thoughtful, thought provoking essay.
As you know from my switters.substack.com, I am ambivalent about whether my lifetime as a humanitarian aid worker was a net positive or a net negative. A painful reminder is the current events in Haiti, where I spent some of my prime years trying to make a difference.
After the 2010 earthquake and now with the present lawlessness, I am tempted to think it was wasted life. I have felt the same about other places I poured my heart and soul into: Yemen, South Sudan and other places that showed promise but fell back into violence and disarray. Did I waste my life chasing my good intentions?
I payed a hard personal cost for my commitment to do what I could to help build a better world. I have suffered and still suffer from painful memories, although I am learning to live again in the Light, and the pain gradually recedes. Recently, I undertook a 6 month journey up the Pacific Crest Trail in an effort to rekindle a vision of that beautiful world I always dreamed of helping to birth.
Day in and day out, there are conversations that run through my mind as I hike. Somehow, when the body is busy doing a task such as hiking, the mind is especially free to think about all the unfinished thoughts that get stacked around in the nooks and crannies of the brain. One of those unfinished thoughts is the question I started with: did my intentions and actions result in anything net positive? Was my life worth living?
Out on the trail, truth seems easier to come by than in the hustle-bustle of real life. The trail thoughts are black and white. Actions have immediate consequences. Regrets achieve nothing. Things are clearer. Truth is easier to pin down.
So what truth have I learned? Was my life a blessing or a curse? The trail has provided me an answer. Simply by showing up, I achieved something. Simply by saying yes to tasks, no matter how difficult or unpleasant is an achievement, and I faithfully said yes. This is the truth of the trail: if you don’t show up and begin putting one foot in front of the other, there is no hike and there is no progress. After a few hours and a few days, the scenery changes, the body strengthens, and one’s life is changed for the better, step by step.
I would judge myself too harshly if I don’t apply the same criteria for my career. Courage to face daunting challenges was simply a matter of placing one foot ahead of the other, and the way somehow always opened up before me. Along the way, I took others, often young idealistic workers, and mentored them. If what I achieved in life was x, there was a multiplier effect I didn’t often account for, but realize continues when I remember those I mentored and see their successes.
For all the pain and heartbreak, I can look back, after a few weeks on the trail, and say confidently that my life was not wasted and it continues to be good. I remember these things as I walk, one step at a time, this 18” wide, 2653 mile ribbon of truth from Mexico to Canada.
Life can be so unexpectedly beautiful and we deserve it to be so.
All this insight from only a few miles of trail. What will come of the other 2600 on the ribbon of truth? I hope that lovely metaphor is in your notebook.
Might your actions have had small-scale impacts indiscernible at the level of global, regional, and national news?
Switter, I’m so looking forward to hearing more as you go. This was really helpful to read today. ’ve decided to put one foot in front of the other and look for a job. Preferably one that won’t trigger the bejeesus out of me. Wish me luck!
I am so moved by your comment, by the big questions you are bravely asking yourself.
As I read your words, I reflect on my own similar questions, how I measure my life.
As I reflect, I realise how important it is to choose measures of 'success' carefully, to notice my sphere of influence, my impact within it.
One person can rarely impact an entire system.
But one person can bring an abundance of love, nourishment, healing, and care to individuals and groups within a system - as you have clearly done over your career.
Thank you so much for sharing your comment. I'm grateful for the way you've made me think about my own life.
Wishing you peace and healing as you walk the trail, your beautiful "ribbon of truth" (love that so much!).
It is tragic indeed to see so much sacrifice seemingly wasted. But I don't think it was. Ask any of the countless suffering people what they thought of their encounters with you, and I'd venture to say the reply would be some iteration of - "He was a bright spot in our world."
The old popular star fish analogy - "you made a difference to that one," comes to mind. However, the difference may not be so all or none. Maybe you "just" gave hope to hundreds who you came across over the years. Virtually every local you encountered, with your white skin of plenty, knew you came from a privileged world and cared enough to, as you say, show up. People who are living through hell would never resent the few better years they've had because they were eventually taken away from them. And how many people became a little better version of themselves because of a guy they remember named Switter?
When I was helping in Paradise, CA after the devastating Camp Fire, one thing I heard repeated was that when the volunteers showed up in town and their project started building and shipping out storage sheds to fire survivors so they had places to store things while trying to rebuild, the whole town felt a morale boost. I heard it from the mayor, from police officers, and from store owners. And of course, I heard it from the shed recipients.
Sometimes just showing up does a world of good. Just saying yes, I want to help.
I confess it was a late idea to bring these links up another time. I thought I was going to post on another topic, but I kept thinking of a whole handful of posts I'd recently read that seemed to speak to each other. I'm glad I'm in the habit of switching out my Substack plans. :-)
Wow, Tara, I feel so honoured that you mentioned my work here. You have such a knack for making thoughtful connections and seeing through-lines, and an equally strong talent for connecting people. That to me is what being on Substack is all about - the sharing and connections. All of these pieces look so interesting - I can’t wait to read them! I appreciate you.
So many beautiful offerings here, Tara! I appreciate how you are netting us together, like a big old fishing net strong enough to hold hundreds. Thrilled to be a node here in your weaving! Thanks and blessings.
Thank you so much Tara, for this wonderful post. I'm glad to be included with wonderful writers exploring the theme of living through hard times and making peace in the present.
I'm coming to understand that it is in reaching for peace that we find it. The answer is not in the thing - the dancing, the music, the art, the vocation; the answer is in the seeking of the thing - the pilgrimage we make in our own hearts along the way. Every wholehearted step we take toward peace helps build it out in our lives. Thank you for helping build out peace with this beautiful post, and your five words reading party, and your own writing. My heartfelt thanks, Jackie.
Thank you for sharing these Substacks! It would appear that we're trying to bring the world together in so many ways. Thank you for sharing your light. These connections are so important.
I recently spent 10 days in the hospital. I had so many miracles happen. I didn't realize how isolated I had been before I went in. The doctors and nurses on my floor were wonderful. They helped me understand what I am dealing with. They took time to listen and truly looked after my needs.
The best thing you can do, as a patient during a long stay, is to be as happy as possible.( Happy isn't the word I was looking for.) Your doctors and nurses are giving all they can to help you get better. If they know that you are on their team, it helps them. If they know that they're being prayed for and that you care in return, it makes a huge difference. My care team isn't allowed to stay in touch with their patients after the patients leave. However, about a week later, I get cards in the mail from my nurses and techs, sending get well wishes. I miss them and cherish the friendships made. I still pray for them.
One other thing I did was let them know that they could come and visit in my room when they needed a break. We would talk about our interests and share stories. I know that this isn't always possible. Surgeries and other suffering make it hard to think and do basic things. I think we're all striving for a return to basic decency. My hospital stay was made more bearable for the friends I made.
If you're wondering if you have made a difference, or have been a bright spot in someone's day, you have. You were born with a divine light in you. You are making a difference and it all counts.
Tara, thank you for providing Peacelinks and Quiet Reading. Your platforms are so uplifting and help others want to spread sunshine. I can't wait to read some of these links. God bless you and everyone here! Including the lurkers.
Shauna, This is so kind of you to say. Thank you! I’m glad your hospital time was made lighter by treasured relationships. I love the mystery of the ripple effect: who ever sees the end result of any act of care? I think of prayer mostly as the outer effect of ripples. Its results are often entirely unseen. Thank you for the blessing. 💕
Gosh Tara, Thank you!! We must have a telepathic link because I just sent out a follow-up request to 'Music Memories'! I appreciate the shout-out. Also, you've provided a perfect segue for another article, so I'll link back to this one. I love our link-ups! Gratitude and hugs!
What good timing! I can't wait to see your next article. 🤗
Thanks, Tara. Let me know if you'd like to contribute a link-up piece for the music articles. I want to focus on how music shifts moods for this next one, but we'll see the article dances with what the writers offer.
Great idea. I'll think about whether I have something that's a good fit and let you know if I do.
Thanks, Tara for another thoughtful, thought provoking essay.
As you know from my switters.substack.com, I am ambivalent about whether my lifetime as a humanitarian aid worker was a net positive or a net negative. A painful reminder is the current events in Haiti, where I spent some of my prime years trying to make a difference.
After the 2010 earthquake and now with the present lawlessness, I am tempted to think it was wasted life. I have felt the same about other places I poured my heart and soul into: Yemen, South Sudan and other places that showed promise but fell back into violence and disarray. Did I waste my life chasing my good intentions?
I payed a hard personal cost for my commitment to do what I could to help build a better world. I have suffered and still suffer from painful memories, although I am learning to live again in the Light, and the pain gradually recedes. Recently, I undertook a 6 month journey up the Pacific Crest Trail in an effort to rekindle a vision of that beautiful world I always dreamed of helping to birth.
Day in and day out, there are conversations that run through my mind as I hike. Somehow, when the body is busy doing a task such as hiking, the mind is especially free to think about all the unfinished thoughts that get stacked around in the nooks and crannies of the brain. One of those unfinished thoughts is the question I started with: did my intentions and actions result in anything net positive? Was my life worth living?
Out on the trail, truth seems easier to come by than in the hustle-bustle of real life. The trail thoughts are black and white. Actions have immediate consequences. Regrets achieve nothing. Things are clearer. Truth is easier to pin down.
So what truth have I learned? Was my life a blessing or a curse? The trail has provided me an answer. Simply by showing up, I achieved something. Simply by saying yes to tasks, no matter how difficult or unpleasant is an achievement, and I faithfully said yes. This is the truth of the trail: if you don’t show up and begin putting one foot in front of the other, there is no hike and there is no progress. After a few hours and a few days, the scenery changes, the body strengthens, and one’s life is changed for the better, step by step.
I would judge myself too harshly if I don’t apply the same criteria for my career. Courage to face daunting challenges was simply a matter of placing one foot ahead of the other, and the way somehow always opened up before me. Along the way, I took others, often young idealistic workers, and mentored them. If what I achieved in life was x, there was a multiplier effect I didn’t often account for, but realize continues when I remember those I mentored and see their successes.
For all the pain and heartbreak, I can look back, after a few weeks on the trail, and say confidently that my life was not wasted and it continues to be good. I remember these things as I walk, one step at a time, this 18” wide, 2653 mile ribbon of truth from Mexico to Canada.
Life can be so unexpectedly beautiful and we deserve it to be so.
All this insight from only a few miles of trail. What will come of the other 2600 on the ribbon of truth? I hope that lovely metaphor is in your notebook.
Might your actions have had small-scale impacts indiscernible at the level of global, regional, and national news?
I was thinking the exact same thing Tara.
Switter, I’m so looking forward to hearing more as you go. This was really helpful to read today. ’ve decided to put one foot in front of the other and look for a job. Preferably one that won’t trigger the bejeesus out of me. Wish me luck!
I’m wishing you all the best along your journey.
Oh boy - you’ve had a 2600-mile journey, too. No?
Certainly feels that way.
I'm sure Switter will be back soon Kim, but good luck with your job hunt in the meantime. That's a BIG step forward.
Thanks Mark. Yes, it is huge. 🤞
Courage is always just taking the next step. You know the next thing to do and when you do it, the thing after that becomes visible.
Good luck with the job hunt! I will be praying for you!
I am so moved by your comment, by the big questions you are bravely asking yourself.
As I read your words, I reflect on my own similar questions, how I measure my life.
As I reflect, I realise how important it is to choose measures of 'success' carefully, to notice my sphere of influence, my impact within it.
One person can rarely impact an entire system.
But one person can bring an abundance of love, nourishment, healing, and care to individuals and groups within a system - as you have clearly done over your career.
Thank you so much for sharing your comment. I'm grateful for the way you've made me think about my own life.
Wishing you peace and healing as you walk the trail, your beautiful "ribbon of truth" (love that so much!).
"I realise how important it is to choose measures of 'success' carefully, to notice my sphere of influence, my impact within it.
One person can rarely impact an entire system." VERY WELL SAID
It is tragic indeed to see so much sacrifice seemingly wasted. But I don't think it was. Ask any of the countless suffering people what they thought of their encounters with you, and I'd venture to say the reply would be some iteration of - "He was a bright spot in our world."
The old popular star fish analogy - "you made a difference to that one," comes to mind. However, the difference may not be so all or none. Maybe you "just" gave hope to hundreds who you came across over the years. Virtually every local you encountered, with your white skin of plenty, knew you came from a privileged world and cared enough to, as you say, show up. People who are living through hell would never resent the few better years they've had because they were eventually taken away from them. And how many people became a little better version of themselves because of a guy they remember named Switter?
Happy trails fine sir.
You are very kind, Mark.
When I was helping in Paradise, CA after the devastating Camp Fire, one thing I heard repeated was that when the volunteers showed up in town and their project started building and shipping out storage sheds to fire survivors so they had places to store things while trying to rebuild, the whole town felt a morale boost. I heard it from the mayor, from police officers, and from store owners. And of course, I heard it from the shed recipients.
Sometimes just showing up does a world of good. Just saying yes, I want to help.
Yes, it does!
Human decency is almost ubiquitous - but when great need and that decency run into each other, you end up with tiny seeds of hope.
Well done Tara, I love that you pulled these essays out of the many that landed in your anniversary community gathering post. Thank you.
I confess it was a late idea to bring these links up another time. I thought I was going to post on another topic, but I kept thinking of a whole handful of posts I'd recently read that seemed to speak to each other. I'm glad I'm in the habit of switching out my Substack plans. :-)
Flexibility is queen!!
Wow, Tara, I feel so honoured that you mentioned my work here. You have such a knack for making thoughtful connections and seeing through-lines, and an equally strong talent for connecting people. That to me is what being on Substack is all about - the sharing and connections. All of these pieces look so interesting - I can’t wait to read them! I appreciate you.
Thank you, Serena. My brain loves seeing connections, and you're right - they're everywhere on Substack. Happy brain! :-)
😃 🧠 😊
🥰👍🏼👌
Thank you Tara for including me. I feel in such good company.
Me too! ☺️
So many beautiful offerings here, Tara! I appreciate how you are netting us together, like a big old fishing net strong enough to hold hundreds. Thrilled to be a node here in your weaving! Thanks and blessings.
I’m feeling quite muscular now thanks to your net metaphor. 😉
Thank you so much Tara, for this wonderful post. I'm glad to be included with wonderful writers exploring the theme of living through hard times and making peace in the present.
I'm coming to understand that it is in reaching for peace that we find it. The answer is not in the thing - the dancing, the music, the art, the vocation; the answer is in the seeking of the thing - the pilgrimage we make in our own hearts along the way. Every wholehearted step we take toward peace helps build it out in our lives. Thank you for helping build out peace with this beautiful post, and your five words reading party, and your own writing. My heartfelt thanks, Jackie.
Beautifully said, Jackie. My pleasure.
Thank you for sharing these Substacks! It would appear that we're trying to bring the world together in so many ways. Thank you for sharing your light. These connections are so important.
I recently spent 10 days in the hospital. I had so many miracles happen. I didn't realize how isolated I had been before I went in. The doctors and nurses on my floor were wonderful. They helped me understand what I am dealing with. They took time to listen and truly looked after my needs.
The best thing you can do, as a patient during a long stay, is to be as happy as possible.( Happy isn't the word I was looking for.) Your doctors and nurses are giving all they can to help you get better. If they know that you are on their team, it helps them. If they know that they're being prayed for and that you care in return, it makes a huge difference. My care team isn't allowed to stay in touch with their patients after the patients leave. However, about a week later, I get cards in the mail from my nurses and techs, sending get well wishes. I miss them and cherish the friendships made. I still pray for them.
One other thing I did was let them know that they could come and visit in my room when they needed a break. We would talk about our interests and share stories. I know that this isn't always possible. Surgeries and other suffering make it hard to think and do basic things. I think we're all striving for a return to basic decency. My hospital stay was made more bearable for the friends I made.
If you're wondering if you have made a difference, or have been a bright spot in someone's day, you have. You were born with a divine light in you. You are making a difference and it all counts.
Tara, thank you for providing Peacelinks and Quiet Reading. Your platforms are so uplifting and help others want to spread sunshine. I can't wait to read some of these links. God bless you and everyone here! Including the lurkers.
Shauna, This is so kind of you to say. Thank you! I’m glad your hospital time was made lighter by treasured relationships. I love the mystery of the ripple effect: who ever sees the end result of any act of care? I think of prayer mostly as the outer effect of ripples. Its results are often entirely unseen. Thank you for the blessing. 💕
So do I! Thank you for subscribing to my stack. I feel privileged to have you there.
💕