My God! Another absolutely beautiful well phrased essay full of insight! People will do what they are rewarded for doing. Sometimes “follow the money” is more than an encouragement for investigation, it can be a way to incentivize behavior.
I witnessed this in my own family. My politically conservative, staunchly ‘right to work’ father became a union member solely because he saw it as a way to keep from being laid off during a hard economic period. But as time went on, as he realized so many more benefits, something changed inside him. He began to diversify his friendships and volunteer for assignments to represent others. His political beliefs became more liberal. As Lindo said, “the love grew inside his heart.”
Giving people this chance, to make solid (& profitable!) the reasons for doing things differently can’t always be done so easily, but when it can, lasting, sustainable change can be achieved.
Dinner's on the grill and I saw that your newsletter arrived. I always know that there's going to be that part that slays me and then tries to dry my tears with a hopekerchief. The lost dog who goes back to the crash site. Not today. What a great story. A subsistence fisherman who turns into a computer literate conservation leader and advocate for all marine life. A person who was given a dignified alternative to harm, and then, he began to love and protect what he was once paid to destroy. Thank you. Hope is a living thing.
Thank you for such a lovely article! It arrived today at the time when I am writing a July newsletter for the assisted living facility where I live in the Pacific NW. It’s good to know that there are still some things that have happy endings in our troubled world. I’m sure you experienced some of the same strong emotions that I experienced today as I wrote about brain health and some ways we might improve it. I am surrounded by many wonderful people who are now just shadows of their former selves. I’ve shed many tears after trying to talk to the lady who was the first friend I made here two years ago as she becomes more lost on almost a daily basis.
I’m fortunate to live in Washington State where a much more liberal State government helps take care of its citizens who could not function fully in the outside world. It is easy to see how empathetic you are through reading your wonderful articles! I’m proud to help support the Geddry column. It’s amazing to have two such talented writers in the same family! You gave me a great positive experience for this day when I really needed a lift!
No matter where you learned to observe, process and write like this, it is right on. I wish I could spend evenings with you all just hanging out and talking about life. Thank you.
My God! Another absolutely beautiful well phrased essay full of insight! People will do what they are rewarded for doing. Sometimes “follow the money” is more than an encouragement for investigation, it can be a way to incentivize behavior.
I witnessed this in my own family. My politically conservative, staunchly ‘right to work’ father became a union member solely because he saw it as a way to keep from being laid off during a hard economic period. But as time went on, as he realized so many more benefits, something changed inside him. He began to diversify his friendships and volunteer for assignments to represent others. His political beliefs became more liberal. As Lindo said, “the love grew inside his heart.”
Giving people this chance, to make solid (& profitable!) the reasons for doing things differently can’t always be done so easily, but when it can, lasting, sustainable change can be achieved.
Your writing is magical!
Dinner's on the grill and I saw that your newsletter arrived. I always know that there's going to be that part that slays me and then tries to dry my tears with a hopekerchief. The lost dog who goes back to the crash site. Not today. What a great story. A subsistence fisherman who turns into a computer literate conservation leader and advocate for all marine life. A person who was given a dignified alternative to harm, and then, he began to love and protect what he was once paid to destroy. Thank you. Hope is a living thing.
Thank you for such a lovely article! It arrived today at the time when I am writing a July newsletter for the assisted living facility where I live in the Pacific NW. It’s good to know that there are still some things that have happy endings in our troubled world. I’m sure you experienced some of the same strong emotions that I experienced today as I wrote about brain health and some ways we might improve it. I am surrounded by many wonderful people who are now just shadows of their former selves. I’ve shed many tears after trying to talk to the lady who was the first friend I made here two years ago as she becomes more lost on almost a daily basis.
I’m fortunate to live in Washington State where a much more liberal State government helps take care of its citizens who could not function fully in the outside world. It is easy to see how empathetic you are through reading your wonderful articles! I’m proud to help support the Geddry column. It’s amazing to have two such talented writers in the same family! You gave me a great positive experience for this day when I really needed a lift!
Thank you, Shanley!
Brilliant. Thank you for bringing what was obviously an excellent solution to light. May others be inspired! 💜
Another excellent column, Shanley!
Well said and beautifully written. Thank you, Shanley.
How did we get so lucky to have two gifted writers in the same family? Thank you for your human touch, Shanley.
No matter where you learned to observe, process and write like this, it is right on. I wish I could spend evenings with you all just hanging out and talking about life. Thank you.
Hope. Such a small word. 4 letters. And yet, your essay makes hope as big as anything in my heart. Thank you.
Deep! Thank you. Not just a read, but food-for-thought to chew on.
A wonderful story about Hope pushing away Despair...these days I really need stories like these as my Despair is getting larger and feels very hard.
Your words certainly ring true…and, they are exactly why I am a vegan for many decades.💙