9.8.16

finding hope



I try to avoid current events and politics on my blog in an attempt to keep this space a gentle haven, but privately I am fiercely opinionated about politics and world events.  I avoid the onslaught of current events via the internet and instead read the newspaper every day; and the avalanche of events over the past few months has left me especially anxious, frightened and very, very sad.  I am overwhelmed by loss of so many innocent lives -- the unarmed young black men, shot point-blank by police, the retaliation against the police, the attacks in Belgium, Germany, France and the US, not to mention ongoing events in Asia, the Middle East & Africa. And don't get me started on the upcoming US presidential election.

The reason I am writing about this tonight is I have felt strange posting here about crafts and other lovely things while avoiding these other issues which concern me deeply.  I'm not posting with any ideas or solutions beyond the hope that good people of this world will continue to communicate with understanding, to reach out with love instead of fear, and to gently teach their children that all people of this world deserve kindness and respect.

Fred Rogers (aka Mr. Rogers) is often quoted in times like these: When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' His words give me a shred of hope, as does the beautiful drawing above created by artist Diana Toledano.  This image was created by Diana a few weeks ago to promote peace, equality and understanding; you can read about her inspiration and see more of her lovely work HERE.

Where are you finding hope?  Do you have any thoughts about ways to heal our world?

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10 comments:

  1. GaviAugust 10, 2016 at 12:16 AM

    Please realize most of us feel overwhelmed by current events. Even your opening up a discussion on these subjects, when many of us find peace in the things you make... Takes away from any shred of peace we have.. Maybe this isn't the place to ask these questions ��
    Do you have a personal FB page where you can ask these questions?

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    1. m. bloomAugust 10, 2016 at 11:12 AM

      Dear Gavi – Thank you for your comment. I assure you that I will not be devoting the content of this blog to current events and world issue, but neither will I ignore or stay silent regarding issues which are close to my heart. This blog is my personal space where I share things I enjoy and also things I think about. On this blog I strive to be respectful and kind, and I hope this came across in my blog post. I am under no obligation to edit out my own feelings and thoughts, just as you are under no obligation to come here and read my blog.

      Best wishes to you and all you hold dear,
      mb

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  2. ClareAugust 10, 2016 at 3:55 AM

    Shalom my dear. Thank you for inviting me to share Diana's lovely work. I will pass it round the Faculty.

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    1. m. bloomAugust 10, 2016 at 11:14 AM

      Shalom my dear Clare -- I'm so happy to hear from you and have sent you an email. Love love love to you and yours. xo

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  3. KathleenAugust 10, 2016 at 11:43 AM

    Thank you. Fred Rogers is one of my heroes, too. When the awful get so loud out there, it really helps to remember and actively seek the "helpers". It's a one of the internet's paradoxical miracles that it helps us find the people who devote their lives to creation when at the same time it makes it tough to escape those who seem bent on destruction.

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    1. m. bloomAugust 12, 2016 at 7:36 AM

      It's funny. I've been seeing that Fred Rogers quote for years, but it never seems cliche or loses meaning for me.

      And yes -- well said re: the internet's paradoxical miracles...

      Thank you so much for your thoughtful words!!

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  4. NReneeAugust 10, 2016 at 1:35 PM

    This was still a very gentle way of broaching the topic, and I love the Toledano drawing. At our house, we are passionately political...which can be demoralizing and overwhelming at times! Finding a gentler voice is so important, whether it's supporting local causes or being mindful about the media we consume.

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    1. m. bloomAugust 12, 2016 at 8:05 AM

      Yes -- it's so important to find gentle voices when everything seems overwhelming (and so glad you love Diana's drawing, too)...

      Thank you for your thoughts & words!

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  5. AnonymousAugust 11, 2016 at 2:30 AM

    Hello,
    I thaught a lot before writting because it's a big question. For me, my hope is in my children because each day, I try to learn them that difference is beautiful and we must be careful with people we meet. I try they understand that we must learn to live together and even a personn is bad, in his heart, there is a litte little bit of goodness. I have hope that every mother learn peace and tolerance.
    And I'm sure that in each heart, there is good things. Maybe, a very little and maybe a lot but when we born, all babies are good.
    For finish, it's important to see beautiful things like your dolls because it's cosy for our heart when it cry and when it sad. We can kept hope in humanity.
    Have a good day, a simple day, maybe but the simple things are the most importants.
    Christineh

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    1. m. bloomAugust 12, 2016 at 7:58 AM

      Dear Christine -- The way you bridge language touches my heart, and your words echo an essay I read in the paper about how some of the terrible people seeking power in our world -- their terribleness comes from pain in their hearts and a deep, sad void in the soul. They should not be allowed to have power, but neither should they be seen as less than human.

      Thank you for your hopeful words!
      xo

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