this. @writers

I have always loved and learned from @wendymac’s work. In the very early days of the pandemic, she was one of the first artists to offer free virtual daily drawing practice to everyone — especially kids — sheltered in place. Posting her drawing practice as a small act of seeing. It’s been a horrific week plus. As a generous host, to practice protection as well as connection, I’m turning the comments off for a period. Social media is creating even more separation. One antidote to horror is connection. Sending love. Thank you, @wendymac for reminding us to see each other. Not what we expect to see. But the stranger in front of us. Via @nytopinion

“I am a mosaic of everyone I’ve ever loved.” So beautiful! 🙌🏿💜 What is something you’ve picked up from someone you loved?? (My heart already knows it won’t be able to handle these responses 🥹) @lifedeathwhat

(19/54) “It has always been my philosophy: wherever I am, I try to make the most of the responsibilities I am given. Managing a factory was not my ideal position. I had hoped to find a place where I could have more of a national impact. But I tried my best to improve the lives of the people nearest to me. I continued to hold meetings with the workers. I studied employment practices from all over the world, and drafted a policy of worker’s rights. It was very progressive for the time. But when I presented the document to the Department of Labor— it was approved for the entire factory. Five thousand lives were made better. In 1975 the king made an announcement that he was dissolving all political parties and combining them into one. He claimed that it was an attempt at unity, but it was abhorrent to me. A country cannot be ruled by a single voice. In the next election I decided to return to Nahavand and run for parliament as my own man. Mitra was against it. She told me that I was too honest for politics, too naive. She said: ‘Even if you win. You’re a single voice. The rest of the parliament will still be controlled by the king.’ Even my father didn’t want me to run. He didn’t think I stood a chance, and he didn’t want to see me get my heart broken. The king had to approve all candidates, and he’d chosen two of his closest allies as my opponents. One of them played volleyball with the king and empress. The other was Undersecretary of Education for the entire country. He was so confident of his victory that he’d already resigned from his previous position. After I announced my candidacy, he paid me a visit. He told me: ‘I want you to know. Everyone in government is supporting me. And this position has been promised to me.’ I told him: ‘I’m very happy for you. I have no intention of winning. But I am going to say what I have to say.”

“You should not underestimate the power you have to affirm the humanity and dignity of the people around you. When you do that, they will teach you something about what you need to learn about human dignity, but also what you can do to be a change agent.” — Bryan Stevenson Lawyer Bryan Stevenson has brought the language of mercy and redemption into American culture in recent years – a gift he offers with his life. Krista draws out his spirit and moral imagination in the On Being episode "Finding the Courage for What's Redemptive". Find a link to listen in our bio. #onbeing #newsletter #summer #pause #wisdom #recommended #subscribe #spirituality #kristatippett #redemption #justice #bryanstevenson