We—most of us—are having to learn (or hone our ability) to hold it all. Not necessarily because we want to, but because we know we must. In order to be fully alive and for our lives to have meaning. And so we aren’t knocked flat or just go to sleep.

I am thinking specifically of holding, on the one hand, all the hatred, cruelty and greed that is being perpetrated by this administration, and on the other hand, the many acts of creative resistance and care being shown by people on the ground. And I have been touched by the Walkers for Peace, who today are on day 85 of their 2000+ mile walk from Texas through much of the south to Washington DC. Not only by their energy and persistence, but by the loving reactions to them along the route, the way people are profoundly moved and changed by coming in contact with them. (More info on the walk is here and on their facebook page. 

Holding all this (as well as all that swirls around in our personal lives) takes a lot of energy. But we are made for it. If we tend to ourselves along the way.

And we will have to hang in for as long as it takes.

I found the following two quotes helpful reminders this week.

The world is violent and mercurial— it will have its way with you. We are saved only by love— love for each other and the love that we pour into the art we feel compelled to share: being a parent; being a writer; being a painter; being a friend. We live in a perpetually burning building, and what we must save from it, all the time, is love.

Tennessee Williams

…Being both in love with and devastated by life makes for a strange and paradoxical state, and for those of us daring to pay attention it is largely unavoidable. But, when we simultaneously hold two opposites we are Birds mid-flight; balanced, expansive and exquisitely alive…

Chloe Hope

Especially if we fly together.