[9] a short, on grace.

i’ll say this about the current state of events, and will entertain respectful discourse. anything to the contrary will be addressed accordingly.

we are currently in a perplexing, uncertain, unstable state. much has been piled upon us this year alone, at a ridiculously rapid pace, and it’s difficult to deal with. some may need more time to traverse this, as they’ve been fortunate not to have to endure through turbulent times, and unfortunately many have had to marginally adjust their coping mechanisms to deal with these times. all of us are affected. no one is unaffected.

then, more has been thrown into our laps. unsavory, terrible things are being brought to light. in the past, there has usually been something else to come along and take its place as the world keeps turning and things happen daily, if not hourly. we feel as though it’s time to move on as there will always be something else to have to deal with just around the corner.

some have already hit their limit long ago, and don’t have the luxury of discarding unfavorable situations, or simply looking away when things get uncomfortable.

have grace.

anger, despair, frustration and passion are normal, and acceptable. silence is also acceptable, but only if you don’t feel like you can say anything that will contribute rather than detract from the situation at hand. the purpose is change and progression, not incendiary hot takes that do more harm than good and turn off more people than imploring them to understand and support. recognize that although engagement may not be present, it doesn’t equate to inactivity or apathy. some choose to aid in small, quiet ways. not every effort should or needs to be loud and unadulterated.

give grace.

try to understand that it isn’t about you. listen, especially when you can’t understand. accept the horrors, embrace the affected. if you honestly and earnestly haven’t done something to wrong others and are still feeling attacked, try to realize that it’s a larger picture beyond just your thoughts and feelings that people are upset over and lashing out about. that this comes from a place of dismay and desperation. this is not an overnight sensation, a flash in the pan. this is real, this has happened and will continue to happen. many have not had to face down or deal with what many more have endured for years, decades, centuries.

it is tiring. it is exhausting. it is oppressing. it is complex, it is massive, it is secret and brash all at the same time.

if you wouldn’t allow it to happen to you, imagine what it’s like to have it forced upon you – directly, indirectly, systematically, and generationally.