I emailed the following letter out on July 4th and received beautiful responses. I share people’s response below.

Dear hearts,

I’ve heard from several of you that the state of our nation and the world weighs heavily on you. I’ve heard the word despair. I feel it in my friend, collegial, and support circles as well. And so I’m writing to offer you some solace and hope. We cannot hide out in denial about the chaos and destruction swirling around and threatening what we hold sacred. Please honor your fear and grieve. Know that your tears and worries join millions of others’ around the world and across the ages. This month, though the bad news may continue, let us reach the bottom of the well of difficult feelings and find there the silence — and then the roar — of solidarity. Because the horrors of hate and empire are not new and we are far from alone in our grief and terror. May we rise in awareness of all those whose cause is also ours. As the unsavory characters fill the news stream with more examples of deceit, may you look around you with your heart’s eye and feel the integrity of 

…parents raising their children to hope in war zones; 

…grandparents telling stories of their great grandparents; 

…childless aunts and uncles planting trees who will far outlive them; 

…neighbors praying for their incarcerated neighbors 

…and bringing casseroles to those who cannot bring themselves to cook; 

…cousins risking speaking truth, gently, and the next family gathering.

Those of us centered on love are a resilient community. Our integrity is timeless. Over millennia, many of us have survived. It’s true, many have not. Think of the Kanza, brought down to 200 before rising again. But we rise again. We rise.

There are many stories we could tell about this current historical moment — the erosion of essential institutions or the final death throes of imperialism — but don’t let the story ruin you. Many people are experiencing media poisoning right now. You do not have to listen to everything, watch everything, scroll through everything to demonstrate that you are a good citizen. If you need permission to turn everything off, please give it to yourself. I myself will be taking two weeklong media and social media fasts over the next month. You were made to love, hope, connect, and create, not to absorb, accept, regurgitate, and despair. Your fears are valid but it’s Not OK for anyone to manipulate you with them. You are not fear. Make space for fear, make space for grief, and remember also that there is something true and bigger than pain.

The presidency, the supreme court, your choice of institution: yes, I see it too, the cracks and the crumblings, the dry rot. Maybe repair is possible, maybe not. But remember this: the state is not God. However you feel about God, I think we can agree our institutions are not it. Wring your hands and then open your heart. There is still good everywhere. Especially in the cracks.

I’ll be away for the next four weeks rejuvenating my soul for the fall. Can you also use this time, or an hour a day, to rejuvenate? What does that look like for you? Though I’m stepping away, this community is rich with listening ears and reassurance. Please turn to each other if things feel off in your world. If things are too much, turn more to each other. And if things are really too much, ask for help. As a survivor of a despair-induced mental health crisis, I want to wrap my words around you like a fierce but gentle hug to say: You are loved and we are here for you! Really. Here are some options if you’re feeling unmanageable pain or anguish or things get really scary:

• Please call a friend.

• Even if you just spent some time talking with one friend, call another one.

• Kathleen Oldfather knows how to get ahold of me (or Pastor Melissa Atchison during my media fast).

• Have you had enough water? Are you hungry? Find something delicious and nutritious for you sweet body, dear one.

• Call 988. This is the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, and people are available 24 hours a day if you’re having thoughts of harming yourself or even if you’re just feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or sadness. If you call from a Kansas area code, you’ll be routed to someone in a call center in Lawrence. Learn more here: https://988lifeline.org/

• If you don’t have a Kansas area code but want to talk to someone in Kansas, the Lifeline direct line is (785) 841-2345.

Even though there are a lot of problems right now, there is still beauty everywhere. Look for it and share it with someone.

I have some other encouragements:

• Last Sunday’s reflection on resilience by Pastor Melissa was so inspiring! You can listen to it again here. 

• The previous Sunday’s service from the UUA with Missouri pastor Molly Housh Gordon was also incredible. You can watch that one again here.

• Just so you know: I’m working with other Kansas religious women on a social media campaign and short film provisionally titled “Religious Voices for Democracy and Kindness” to counter so-called “religious” narratives of hate. Though you won’t see me around the Fellowship this month after Sunday, I’m speaking for you and I carry you in my heart.

• At General Assembly, over 2000 Unitarian Universalists found wide agreement on a range of social issues. We’re bold and visible. We’re not hiding. Read more in UUFM’s July newsletter that came out Monday.

Our love is boundless. Keep breathing. Turn off the TV (or whatever is making you sick these days). Protecting your well-being does not mean you’re burying your head in the sand. Keep breathing. You matter. Keep breathing. I love you.

Pastor Isabel

 

Some of the responses are below:

• “Your letter made me stop and breathe.  I wonder what might be the outcome of things if we spent time breathing and sending good energy out into the world instead of dithering over the latest news flash.”  
• “This letter came at exactly the right moment for me and I imagine for many others. I have been feeling spun out and distraught and I think much of that has to do with a habit of listening to and reading news. Our media landscape is good at raising alarm, but quite poor at offering hope and solace.”
• “I am very grateful to you for your reminder about the wisdom of disconnecting and seeking strength from a community dedicated to love. Your message of belonging and support is powerful.”
• “What a beautiful letter! I was almost in tears by the end. I am terribly upset about the way things seem to be going in the world, but it helps to have a fellowship such as ours. I am available to talk if anyone needs a listening ear.”
• One person recommended reading“Best practices” by Melissa Kirsch, in NYT The Morning, published June 29, 2024 and included it as an attachment. “I’ve written about good things, big and small, in my journal every night since reading it,” this person let me know.
• “My family is also despairing about the current state of our country, so i took the liberty to send your beautiful message to [five names.]” This person shared one of their responses as well.

What an honor it is to be able to speak to you, and with you. I wanted you to hear from each other as well. While I am away, and always, please include each other in your reflections. Together, we are a resilient and hopeful people.