[1190] in peace2
staying healthy in the face of terrible times
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Aimee L Smith)
Mon Nov 5 10:07:17 2001
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Date: Mon, 05 Nov 2001 10:07:09 -0500
From: Aimee L Smith <alsmith@MIT.EDU>
Dear Peace-listers,
It is getting to be that time of year when people get a bit more
down than average, the work piles up, the days grow short and
things can look a bit more bleak than usual.
On top of all of this, we have faced the Sept 11 tragedy and now
are struggling with the brutality and impending genocide of the
US Govt in Afghanistan and an increase of repression at home. It may
sometimes feel like we are fighting an uphill battle and it may
serve to effect our mental well-being to some degree (how could
it not?) So, I just want to remind everyone that there is power
in our resistance, even if it doesn't seem to be registered in
the halls of govt, and there is a strength in standing up for what
we believe in in spite of the affect on others. We all simply need
to do the best we can, not be hard on ourselves or each other and
do what we need to to feel rejuvinated and supported. Remember, while
it is incumbent on us as world citizens to seek a better, more just
world, none of us, nor the group of us together, can solve everything
by ourselves. That is ok, we don't need to solve everything and we
definitely can't do our best if we try to take on everything. But
we can chip away here and there as individuals and/or as a group, and
that will contribute to the collective resistance of various people
and groups everywhere who are doing the same and feeling the same.
So, don't lose faith, we are millions and millions strong across
this planet, and we will not be deterred.
Perhaps this seems like an odd email, but unfortunately, I know of
someone in the area (not at MIT) who took their own life recently,
and while that person had been struggling with depression, I also
have heard that the Sept 11 and resulting events had a very real
and negative impact on that person's state of well-being. I don't
want this to happen to anyone else and I may not know what to do
about it, but I am putting the concern out there and if anyone wants
to help organize discussion/support type of meetings with me, I would
be happy to help do that. I love all the people of this world, but
I have a special place in my heart for those struggling for justice
in one manner or another. We are not alone in this. And sometimes
we all tend to be barreling forth at 100 mph to get things done, and
we forget that it is also important to sometimes take a space of time
to reflect on how this climate may be effecting us so that we can
strengthen ourselves and each other for the work ahead, but also, at
the most basic level, simply because each of our lives is precious for
its own sake (which is why we struggle to protect people's lives, safety,
health and well-being here and abroad- b/c each and everyone's life and
life-energy are precious and irreplaceable.)
So, be well, be strong, know that you are not alone, and
remember that you certainly are precious.
In hope,
Aimee
