I BELIEVE in US. This war is sooo subtle, so ingrained in the fabric of American culture, so covert that the main people who should be aware are decidedly resolved and uninvolved. I believe in the Art of War. When they go hard, we go soft. Now it's time to love up on each other, make sure everyone is alright, have what they need, police our own communities, monitor the schools, show more compassion for those who have lost their way, make sure the children are safe, protected, loved on, fed, heard. Make sure the elders are not lonely and well taken care of. Time to recreate culture, community. Time to redefine all relationships and all relating. Looking at social media, the news, listening in on people's open conversations about what we hear about and those things only the locals know; listening in on what we hate about the opposite sex; how we openly degrade, downgrade and debate on issues that should be in separate houses (yes, they are some issues only for women and some only for men) is disheartening. I still believe in US. Let's change the way we see, think, listen, speak, do for each other. Hold our truths up unapologetically like shields of strength, a special skill set needed to fight this war on hope. Let's arm and teach each other how to survive not just physically but emotionally and spiritually. Your first community is your home. Your family. Let's decide there first. Collective thought is power.   Collective healing is a must. It's not a privilege for only those who are aware of what's happening but needed more for those who don't have a voice. Generations of sickness, sadness, disappointment and despair that we wish to wish away. The NOT US is US, too. As a teacher, you are as good as your most challenging student. Who can you reach out to today? Who are you willing to listen to without judgement? Who can you give to without a fb post to commemorate? How are you working to heal and change your own heart about the world around you? What's going on with the world inside of you? We have a lot of work but we are MAGIC. Don't let them pull you from your center. Don't give into the lie of hopelessness you see around you. You are the hope. I believe in us. Let's arm and equip each other. Beat them with our brilliance.

11/5/15