The digital copy of the New York Times appears daily on my computer. Its headlines keep me abreast of the news. Since the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg in September 2020, I’ve seldom watched the national news or even the PBS NewsHour.
The truth I discovered back in 2020 is that the news distressed me, and if I let it, it plunged me into anger, confusion, and fear.
Given that stress exacerbates most health concerns, I decided to sort of “cold turkey” listening/watching newscasts. However, I do read the NYTimes headlines—not the articles—so as to have some knowledge of what is occurring in the world beyond this room in which I find joy in writing.
For over a week, since Russia invaded the Ukraine, I have watched the PBS NewsHour. I was five when Pearl Harbor was bombed, and we entered World War II. Now, eighty years later, I’m eighty-five and find myself on tenterhooks about the possibility of a third world war.
But the NYT brings me more than news of the world beyond this small room. It offers me columns that stretch my mind, gentle my heart, and bring laughter to my belly. One of the columnists I’ve followed for several years is Frank Bruni. I delight in his phraseology and humanity. He always astounds me with the depth of his empathy and his ability to truly see that we are all united in whatever makes us human.
Bruni is now in his fifties. After a rare stroke compromised his vision several years ago, he accepted a teaching position at Duke University in North Carolina, however, he continues to write occasionally for the NYT.
During his distinguished career as a journalist, Bruni’s written four books, all of which have received accolades. His latest book, which I got from our library as an audio book read by the author, is The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found.
In it, he shares the story of waking up to discover that his eyesight was not only diminished but erratic. Bruni announced the publication of this memoir in his column on 2-17-22, which he entitled “How Many of Us Just Fake Our Confidence and Calm?” That title led him into his own experience with vision lost and found.
In reading his column that February day, I thought of something Philo of Alexandria had said back in the final years BCE. I quoted him in my posting of July 13, 2021. This Jewish philosopher said then, “Be kind, for everyone we meet is engaged in a great battle.”
Bruni doesn’t quote Philo, but he is saying the same thing in his February posting—that we all live with, struggle with, suffer with, feel shame or despair for something that has brought us low . . . but may also raise us high. Because of that realization, life calls us to awareness and its gift of kindness.
His memoir so tenderly and gently shows us the path he’s taken to find “beauty in the dusk” of vision. And it shows us, too, that we do not need to hide the “great battle” in which we are “engaged.” Everyone we meet is struggling. So let us be aware.
In being human, let us be One.
The URL for the column is as follows:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/17/opinion/happiness-confidence-struggle.html
Peace:
In today’s world can we live within ourselves and with others in peace?
Surely what is happening in the Ukraine and what is happening with those refugees from Central America who seek asylum in our country because of the violence and murders and gangs in their own country and what is happening in so many places throughout our world tells us that we must find a way to study peace, to embrace it, just as for centuries our leaders have studied war.
It's almost criminal that the super powers of the world are more willing to spend money on war and war machines than they are on things that would promote peace---like plenty of food, water, medical supplies, energy and other things drive people/counties to be territorial.
ReplyDeleteDear Jean, I'd say it's bordering on and maybe is immoral. The so-called "ethics" of war get ignored as they are being now with Russian seeming to take aim at civilians just as the US bombers did with Dresden in WWII. I wish peace to you and the world.
DeleteIt is lovely to think that peace could possibly be taught and learned. Maybe we just need to try since I am sure the majority of us are willing.
ReplyDeleteDear Patti, I wonder what a "West Point of Peace" would teach . Or the Naval Academy of Peace. Who will start a place where young men and women could study the path and psychology and morals of peace? I wish I knew how to begin. Peace to you Patti in all your moments and minutes of the day.
DeleteYes, we must. Will it happen in our lifetime?
ReplyDeleteDear Joanne, I do think that perhaps--and that's a big perhaps because so many men own so many businesses and corporations, it seems to me, run our country. Perhaps when the balance is on the female side, we might been to value peace enough to establish schools to pursue and teach how to live with one another in Oneness, accepting differences and embracing similarities and valuing human rights ever and always. Peace to you today.
DeleteHi, Dee. I very much enjoyed Bruni's column in the NYT. He's such a talented writer.
ReplyDeleteI think going 'cold turkey' makes sense when one is hoping to avoid unnecessary stress. I can't imagine how it must feel for those of you who were little when WWII broke out. I was born when the war in Vietnam was still raging. It feels awful to know that we are witnessing yet more senseless destruction of a sovereign nation in 2022.
Dear Bea, glad you, too, enjoy Bruni. You know the Vietnam war tore our country apart in so many ways. WWII didn't. But no matter, war in and of itself destroys lives and hopes and dreams and the future of generations. By the way, I so applaud your posting on what's happening here with banning of anything that doesn't make us "feel good"! Peace.
DeleteI too must be careful about what I put into my consciousness or I get bogged down and that doesn't help anybody. I read the NYT every day, and Bruni has been a favorite for years. I have followed his vision journey in his posts, and the book sounds like just the thing for me to read now. Thank you, dear Dee. I hope you continue to be well.
ReplyDeleteDear DJan, the book so speaks to me as I'm aging. At one point, Bruni quotes a professor he had in college who said something like the following (I'm not exactly sure of the wording, but I do think I got the import!): "All life is an adjustment to loss." Peace in these turbulent times within both of us and all of creation.
DeleteEveryone we meet is struggling.
ReplyDeleteI am beginning to realise that that is true and it is not just me who struggles.
I too have stopped following the news slavishly, it literally makes me feel ill. My hitherto favourite daily paper (The Guardian) is beginning to frighten me, there is a relentless emphasis on disasters on the front pages.
I have not been here for a long time, for quite some months I avoided even blogging but now I am getting a bit better mentally and shall return to your gentle writings.
Dear Friko, thanks for stopping by again. I, too, didn't blog for months on end. Totally sporadic since the pandemic began. You'd think that during these past two years, I'd reach out and be in contact with "virtual" friends.
DeleteBut no, I hunkered down and began playing computer games--a real distraction to which someone like myself, with my addictive personality, can become attached. Recently, I've been playing "Worldle Unlimited"and "World NYT." Both outstanding distractors!
I'm so glad to learn that you are feeling "better mentally." I've been in the same dark closet of avoidance. But truthfully, I think it's essential to protect ourselves from the "slings and arrows" of the media that seem to want to add to our fears rather than analyze what is happening and why.
Take care. Let's both be gracious to ourselves.
Peace in these turbulent times to you, Friko, to me, and to all the world that weeps for what's happening in Ukraine and hopes for a tomorrow that will embrace peace.
A banquet of food for thought in your post.
ReplyDeleteDear LC, thank you for your comment--I love the idea of a "banquet of food." And thank you, too, for stopping by. Peace.
DeleteHi Dee. Glad to hear you are posting and trying to stay well.
ReplyDeleteDear Heidrun, so good to see your name with a comment. i hope all is well with you, your husband, Buddy, and your daughter in England. I hope also that your vision has stayed stable. I plan on posting every other Monday and also on visiting blogs I want to follow so I'll check to see if you're able to blog currently. Take care. Peace.
DeleteTrying to comment
ReplyDeleteDear Heidrun, I understand that this ends your earlier comment. I'm finding that I try to leave comments on some blogs and for some reason Google won't accept them. Peace, ever and always.
Deletei want to thank you for the introducing us with such great person with deep insight in life and humanity and ability to put it beautifully .
ReplyDeletewe too are trying to avoid news since few years because it effects mental health specially when it seems that everything is greatly dramatized by media and behind the scene politics is game of different and compromised on the terms of bargaining .
though public is fooled by what is presented on screen .
what is happening in Ukraine is serious crime but when reach to the root of problem the story is same unfortunately .
thank for always inspiring me with your exceptional wisdom dear Dee ,it is deep pleasure to have you as friend!
hugs and blessings!
Dear Baili, it's remains surprising to me that so many people are now accepting lies as truth. That shows what a powerful autocratic leader can do. It's discouraging to me. Peace.
Deletethank you for saying so much. Losing one's vision is unimaginable. Do not take vision for granted. We tend to do that with vision, hearing.
ReplyDeleteDear Susan, I'm finding as I age and as the pandemic affects the globe and as climate change takes charge and as politics become more and more partisan that all too often I have taken much of my life for granted. Peace.
DeleteSuper blog
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Peace.
DeleteVery similar to my own experiences and thoughts in recent years;, Ray
ReplyDeleteDear Ray, yes, as I age, I seem to see more and more clearly that if we do not--as the Canadian philosopher (Santanya??? don't know how to spell his name) said, learn from history we are doomed to repeat it. Hope you enjoyed Hawaii! Peace.
ReplyDeleteIs there such a thing as "The Art of Peace"?
ReplyDeleteDear Rian, if there isn't, then someone needs to invent it or create it or propose it or whatever. Surely, we need to step out of the competitive realm of getting our way through fighting. I so hope that someone somewhere plants the seed that will grow into the tree of Oneness that is held together by mutual respect and love and . . . yes . . . by peace. And I'm wishing you peace today, Rian.
DeleteAmen
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