Well, Margo, you have reminded me again of how much we have in common. I had forgotten all those years ago when I wrote my blog about being a stay-at-home mom and loving my children and all the ups and downs that that entails, that one day I came home to a message on our answering machine. It was an old, very angry person screaming at me. Screaming about how they were sick of seeing my smiling face in the paper every day. Screaming that I was nobody. Screaming that no one cared what I had to say. Screaming that I should just go away. I had forgotten about that angry person who invaded my sacred space with their hatred and vitriol. That was the beginning of the end of writing the blog for me. I no longer felt safe. I no longer felt my children were safe. I'm so sorry that this person was unkind and cruel to you. It makes my heart ache all over again. Wonderful article, Margot. And as usual, I am with you 100%. Much love.
It just goes to show that there are a lot of angry people out there and they weren’t just born here over night. When my incident happened, my mom said, “I guess that old saying is right. If you stick your head up out of the sand, you’re gonna get shot at.” It’s sad that people just can’t move along rather than be hateful.
I needed this today. Thank you. I also uninstalled my Instagram. I don't want to listen to anymore bullshit for awhile. I will continue to make a difference where I can, but I leave those who chose hate to their own devices
I think, in this moment, letting go is best. I consciously uncoupled from Meta platforms. It was hard, but it feels much better. Nothing good comes from engaging with trolls. Here's to finding comfort where we can.
Yes each of us are on the same plain. Just some of us get more toys than others for whatever reason!! There is an incredible picture of US that I keep framed on my desk of earth from millions of miles away glowing slightly and floating in the big dark. It takes your breath away and lets you in on the significance of YOU!!!
This very active hate we are experiencing right now is overwhelming because it appears to be everywhere. But our world of contacts has expanded in the last 20 years with social media and we have moved way beyond the ugly letters to the Letter to the Editors of local papers. Over my lifetime, I have put myself "out there" many times and for that I have received enough kooks response that now I don't get very upset. They feel empowered in their tiny world and that is that! But I often wonder why they can't manage to "just brush it off" and instead take an aggressive stand to insult. Do they get a star on their name tag, a raise at work, an escalation to the front of the line at a busy restaurant? Nah... they just got to be mean and they liked it!!
We will need to Grease our Backs for a while and let things roll off when we get these attacks. In the meantime, stay vigilant and aware of what is happening in our surroundings, in our towns and states and especially our government. I have rolled out the old phone list so I can call the powers that be and express MY opinion!!!
Great Post Margot!!! Can't wait for the next one!!
Your essay took my breath away and brought me to tears. I agree that our diversity is our greatest strength. I wish we could all value each other, uplift each other, and hold each other up.
Thank you for your post! For every toxic person, there is someone, like me who wants to connect with human beings that still value kindness, integrity and not pretending to know it all. It seems old-fashioned now in a world of power-grabbers, but they, like us will turn to dust. ❤️
Keep speaking your truth internet friend. We're all here for it. I think we, as artists ~whosoever would like to lump themselves into that with us~ fundamentally understand all this. To make something good takes time, attention, skill, materials....all. the. things. We've lost the capacity to understand that in this time of instant gratification. Rock On!
I'm here for conscious consumption. They're thieves....the lot of them...stealing time, joy....and they're coming for our souls.
I had to laugh at the cranky person's question. Sayonara cranky one.
Personally, I thoroughly enjoy your take on life, love, artistry, and dogs (don't know the husband yet so have no comment on that situation). I'm tickled you made it to Substack and look forward to comparing my version of the blue dot with yours.
This paragraph gave me pause since I agree completely that we are each special and deserving, but your description of what I've come to think of as the "Never Enough People" was disturbing:
"The truth is, none of us are more important, more special, more deserving, more worthy…and knowing that makes them furious. They are miserable people with too much money and too much power and too much greed and too little empathy. They cannot live in a world where we all get a place at the table, so they want try to destroy that world." Very disturbing and sad.
Okay, I have gone on long enough. Welcome again. I look forward to reading and sharing more.
I suggested she return to her bridge and I guess she didn't like that idea. Oops. Mr. Potter is not involved in the digital landscape, but he's one of the good guys for sure. I'm very glad to be here and to connect with you, my friend! Here's to forward motion on this pale blue dot.
Well, Margo, you have reminded me again of how much we have in common. I had forgotten all those years ago when I wrote my blog about being a stay-at-home mom and loving my children and all the ups and downs that that entails, that one day I came home to a message on our answering machine. It was an old, very angry person screaming at me. Screaming about how they were sick of seeing my smiling face in the paper every day. Screaming that I was nobody. Screaming that no one cared what I had to say. Screaming that I should just go away. I had forgotten about that angry person who invaded my sacred space with their hatred and vitriol. That was the beginning of the end of writing the blog for me. I no longer felt safe. I no longer felt my children were safe. I'm so sorry that this person was unkind and cruel to you. It makes my heart ache all over again. Wonderful article, Margot. And as usual, I am with you 100%. Much love.
Oh, Dana! How awful! I'm so sorry. It is so difficult to understand how people can be so cruel. I hope this new space offers you some comfort.
It just goes to show that there are a lot of angry people out there and they weren’t just born here over night. When my incident happened, my mom said, “I guess that old saying is right. If you stick your head up out of the sand, you’re gonna get shot at.” It’s sad that people just can’t move along rather than be hateful.
I needed this today. Thank you. I also uninstalled my Instagram. I don't want to listen to anymore bullshit for awhile. I will continue to make a difference where I can, but I leave those who chose hate to their own devices
I think, in this moment, letting go is best. I consciously uncoupled from Meta platforms. It was hard, but it feels much better. Nothing good comes from engaging with trolls. Here's to finding comfort where we can.
"frippery" - I vote for that to be the Word of the Week! 😆
Well, this one got me right in the tear ducts!!
Yes each of us are on the same plain. Just some of us get more toys than others for whatever reason!! There is an incredible picture of US that I keep framed on my desk of earth from millions of miles away glowing slightly and floating in the big dark. It takes your breath away and lets you in on the significance of YOU!!!
This very active hate we are experiencing right now is overwhelming because it appears to be everywhere. But our world of contacts has expanded in the last 20 years with social media and we have moved way beyond the ugly letters to the Letter to the Editors of local papers. Over my lifetime, I have put myself "out there" many times and for that I have received enough kooks response that now I don't get very upset. They feel empowered in their tiny world and that is that! But I often wonder why they can't manage to "just brush it off" and instead take an aggressive stand to insult. Do they get a star on their name tag, a raise at work, an escalation to the front of the line at a busy restaurant? Nah... they just got to be mean and they liked it!!
We will need to Grease our Backs for a while and let things roll off when we get these attacks. In the meantime, stay vigilant and aware of what is happening in our surroundings, in our towns and states and especially our government. I have rolled out the old phone list so I can call the powers that be and express MY opinion!!!
Great Post Margot!!! Can't wait for the next one!!
(oh! I love the rolling fields painting!!)
Just a blip on the cosmic radar! Thank you! 😘
Your essay took my breath away and brought me to tears. I agree that our diversity is our greatest strength. I wish we could all value each other, uplift each other, and hold each other up.
I wish that too, more than ever.
"...and, more importantly, they will never, ever know it." Talk about power - those are some powerful words! Shockingly true.
I'm guessing you do more than 'believe' in the power of kindness and every day magic, rather, you practice/live it daily.
"My religion is kindness." The 14th Dalai Lama
Thank you for your post! For every toxic person, there is someone, like me who wants to connect with human beings that still value kindness, integrity and not pretending to know it all. It seems old-fashioned now in a world of power-grabbers, but they, like us will turn to dust. ❤️
It will be people like you that save us. ❤️
Keep speaking your truth internet friend. We're all here for it. I think we, as artists ~whosoever would like to lump themselves into that with us~ fundamentally understand all this. To make something good takes time, attention, skill, materials....all. the. things. We've lost the capacity to understand that in this time of instant gratification. Rock On!
I'm here for conscious consumption. They're thieves....the lot of them...stealing time, joy....and they're coming for our souls.
Yes! Rock on, indeed!
I’m very glad you’ve landed here.
I think I'm going to like it here, and I'm so glad we're connected!
I had to laugh at the cranky person's question. Sayonara cranky one.
Personally, I thoroughly enjoy your take on life, love, artistry, and dogs (don't know the husband yet so have no comment on that situation). I'm tickled you made it to Substack and look forward to comparing my version of the blue dot with yours.
This paragraph gave me pause since I agree completely that we are each special and deserving, but your description of what I've come to think of as the "Never Enough People" was disturbing:
"The truth is, none of us are more important, more special, more deserving, more worthy…and knowing that makes them furious. They are miserable people with too much money and too much power and too much greed and too little empathy. They cannot live in a world where we all get a place at the table, so they want try to destroy that world." Very disturbing and sad.
Okay, I have gone on long enough. Welcome again. I look forward to reading and sharing more.
HUGS!
Huzzah!
Every story has the same beginning and ending, it’s what we do in between that matters.
I’m so happy you’re here, dear friend! We have traversed the digital world together for quite some time, haven’t we? xoxo!
I suggested she return to her bridge and I guess she didn't like that idea. Oops. Mr. Potter is not involved in the digital landscape, but he's one of the good guys for sure. I'm very glad to be here and to connect with you, my friend! Here's to forward motion on this pale blue dot.
Happy to connect! ✨