Your post really hit home today. I cried when I listened to First Aid Kit sing America. I remember the first time I heard it by Simon and Garfunkel. Moved then and moved now. Our country is in a sad place. I stopped listening to news or checking social media first thing in the morning about a year ago. I sit on my porch and drink my coffee and listen to a bird app that identifies the birds around me. As each photo pops up of who is there I feel like friends have joined me. Because why do something that makes you sad? Time to go tend my garden :)
Andy, I love what you choose to focus on in your posts, and your generous and thoughtful way of sharing.
I was feeling the same way this morning. I forced myself to resist my phone, which I usually grab while still in bed. I took a walk and listened to music instead of a podcast. And I came home with two new creative ideas. It was nice to start the day with my own thoughts for once.
Such a wise message, Andy. I keep reminding myself of my favorite quote—I am human, so nothing human is alien to me. It helps me remember that, if all the possibilities exist in me, I have to choose the way I want to see/be in the world. ☮️
I also believe that it will get worse before it gets better again, but maybe we need even much worse to learn to love again, to listen again and to respect one another despite our beliefs.
I have been staying away from the news for a while, quit Facebook and keep YouTube only for life giving channels I like to follow. I only listen to music in the car, never the news.
I keep up occasionally with the most important headlines or through carefully selected podcasts.
Creating art is saving me. Let’s keep creating and putting beauty out there. The world needs it!
Hi Andy, it's kind of crazy how the last two weeks we've posted on two of the same topics! I just posted something similar today. I love that there are people like you out there putting forth some healthy seeds! Thank you.
Hey Andy! Great song choice!! It brought me back to my college years and a time when my friend Mark and I decided we didn’t want to wait for a bus to take us home from school for Thanksgiving so we got on Hwy 81 and hitchhiked down to NYC. We got picked up by two hunters whose rifles were strewn across the front and back seat. My friend and I got into their truck and didn’t give it a second thought. Those were the good old days!!! Adventure and wonderment!!!
I hopped on my bike, headed to the beach , instead of engaging in any podcasts or news! Nice day so far! Then I came home to my Butterfly garden and all the plants that make it.
So I agree with your concept, but why didn’t you start with a photo? Yeah that’s why I’m here. Looking for something more tangible than media bites that are amplified and pounded into us.
I know it’s the job of the media to get the story out and I know each source wants to make sure we know they got it to, but the redundancy is as you know unnerving and repugnant. So please more photos.
I agree with you about the saturation of political news. I can only take so much. That being said, 3 1/2 years ago, we had peace. It was called The Abraham Accord. (Some pics if you google Abraham Accords)
Your post really hit home today. I cried when I listened to First Aid Kit sing America. I remember the first time I heard it by Simon and Garfunkel. Moved then and moved now. Our country is in a sad place. I stopped listening to news or checking social media first thing in the morning about a year ago. I sit on my porch and drink my coffee and listen to a bird app that identifies the birds around me. As each photo pops up of who is there I feel like friends have joined me. Because why do something that makes you sad? Time to go tend my garden :)
Thank you for the post!
Dale, I think I know you ... from an exhibit or photo group! I relate to your comments too.
Andy, I love what you choose to focus on in your posts, and your generous and thoughtful way of sharing.
I was feeling the same way this morning. I forced myself to resist my phone, which I usually grab while still in bed. I took a walk and listened to music instead of a podcast. And I came home with two new creative ideas. It was nice to start the day with my own thoughts for once.
Such a wise message, Andy. I keep reminding myself of my favorite quote—I am human, so nothing human is alien to me. It helps me remember that, if all the possibilities exist in me, I have to choose the way I want to see/be in the world. ☮️
Thanks! I needed this.
I also believe that it will get worse before it gets better again, but maybe we need even much worse to learn to love again, to listen again and to respect one another despite our beliefs.
I have been staying away from the news for a while, quit Facebook and keep YouTube only for life giving channels I like to follow. I only listen to music in the car, never the news.
I keep up occasionally with the most important headlines or through carefully selected podcasts.
Creating art is saving me. Let’s keep creating and putting beauty out there. The world needs it!
Hi Andy, it's kind of crazy how the last two weeks we've posted on two of the same topics! I just posted something similar today. I love that there are people like you out there putting forth some healthy seeds! Thank you.
Thank you for this.
🙏📸
Good thoughts Andy, and timely. Thank you!
Hey Andy! Great song choice!! It brought me back to my college years and a time when my friend Mark and I decided we didn’t want to wait for a bus to take us home from school for Thanksgiving so we got on Hwy 81 and hitchhiked down to NYC. We got picked up by two hunters whose rifles were strewn across the front and back seat. My friend and I got into their truck and didn’t give it a second thought. Those were the good old days!!! Adventure and wonderment!!!
I hopped on my bike, headed to the beach , instead of engaging in any podcasts or news! Nice day so far! Then I came home to my Butterfly garden and all the plants that make it.
“Do yourself a favor. Instead of starting your day [with politics], look at photography.”
Excellent advice! My photography posts drop at 6:00 am* approximately every fifth day. ‘Twould be an excellent way to start your day!
*I have never figured out whether this is 6 am no matter where you are, or 6 am wherever Substack HQ is, or 6 am in my own time zone.
OK, this ends my shameless plug for my own Substack. I get a little salty here on Notes, but my Substack is always 100% politics-free.
So I agree with your concept, but why didn’t you start with a photo? Yeah that’s why I’m here. Looking for something more tangible than media bites that are amplified and pounded into us.
I know it’s the job of the media to get the story out and I know each source wants to make sure we know they got it to, but the redundancy is as you know unnerving and repugnant. So please more photos.
Andy,
I agree with you about the saturation of political news. I can only take so much. That being said, 3 1/2 years ago, we had peace. It was called The Abraham Accord. (Some pics if you google Abraham Accords)