Small Acts of Kindness And Love
Keeping the darkness at bay.
I’ve been neglecting my personal Substack. Life gets in the way, for me that has been a combination of university studies, a brief setback with my eyesight, and starting a journey which will hopefully end with my husband and I adopting a child. I couldn’t keep my thoughts to myself in the aftermath of the giant leap backwards the world has just taken, not with the negativity that seems to have spread from the dark corners of the internet and is now being yelled at children in school hallways, so I decided to make a rare post for those of you who are still following me and have an interest in what I have to say.
The US Election results will mainly affect those who live and work in the America, but sadly, with a nation as powerful as the USA is, the ripples of the election results will be felt globally. The worst amongst us have been emboldened, and anyone they see as ‘other’ are going to be subject to attack of both a verbal and physical nature, Even my own teenaged daughter, who is not in the USA, is worried about the future she faces as a woman in a world where men see her as an object instead of a human being. What can we do against such evil?
I have no real answers. But as a huge Lord of the Rings fan since my teenage years, in the past few days a quote has stuck in my head:
“Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” - Gandalf
To that end, I am baking. Firstly, as an act of self-care, baking makes me happy, so I will bake until I feel happy again. After that, I will continue baking. I will bake and share share my creations with others because cakes make people feel good. Sharing cakes is a small act of kindness, and I intend to do what I can to hold the darkness at bay.
Not everyone will feel the same way about cakes, and baking, that I do. That is fine, we’re all different. I encourage you to find the small things that bring you joy, and the small actions you can take to make people around you feel happier. Spread love and build connections, build your own Fellowship - maybe it will be enough to defeat the darkness.
And try to make sure your children are capable of defending themselves, especially those who could potentially be targeted by the kind of people who see recent events as permission to let loose with their worst impulses.
In the meantime, hold those you love close. We need each other now more than ever.
Hopefully, I’ll be able to make a real effort with this Substack when my degree finishes in June. Until then I’ll be continuing with my monthly contributions to Wonkette, and I’ll post here when I get chance to sit and devote more than five minutes to my own thoughts.
Stay safe, and spread joy where you can.
It’s been too long since we’ve seen you!
Thanks, Nicola, and well said. I am reading "The Fall on Numenor," and watching film noir movies as a way to cope. Also, as a coping mechanism, I am finally getting some things done around the house that I've put off - mostly decluttering. We have A LOT of stuff, and am doing a bit each day. It's easier to break it up in small areas than thinking that I have to do it all at once.
Good luck with your studies and with the adoption. I am sure both will end with success!