A summary of the November posts from the MORE TO COME newsletter.

Charles Dickens keeps popping up in my brain.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

Come along to explore the month’s wisdom and foolishness on MORE TO COME.

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TOP READER FAVORITE

As is true every November, the top post this month in terms of reader views is Our year in photos – 2024. This practice began in 2008, but now that our children are adults they help in the photo essay’s curation. It can be skimmed or savored, but I hope it gives a flavor of how grateful I am for all the joy given by family, friends, and those I meet along life’s path.

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STARING AT OUR COUNTRY WITH INCREDULITY

Yes, we had an election. And instead of being able to Imagine a future of possibilities, as I wrote on election eve, our country decided that it would continue to live in an Age of Folly as my day-after post—A narrative of grievance carries the day—suggests. Lewis Lapham wrote the following in 1990, and it came to fruition on November 5th:

“If the American system of government at present seems so patently at odds with its constitutional hopes and purposes, it is not because the practice of democracy no longer serves the interests of the presiding oligarchy (which it never did), but because the promise of democracy no longer inspires or exalts the citizenry lucky enough to have been born under its star.  It isn’t so much that liberty stands at bay but, rather, that it has fallen into disuse, regarded as insufficient by both its enemies and its nominal friends.  What is the use of free expression to people so frightened of the future that they prefer the comforts of the authoritative lie?”

My post-election essay History doesn’t repeat, but it does rhyme goes back into time—17th century Sweden to be exact—to see what happens when no one is willing to tell the king (or president), “No.” My suggestion that we all—myself included—Step away from the exhausting digital chatter, rang true for a number of readers.

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FINDING MEANING AND MENTORS

After the election, I selected a different set of books to read from those that had been on my nightstand. Each was a deliberate choice to focus on one or more aspects of what we are facing as a nation. In addition to Adam Grant’s work referenced above, I considered:

• M.J. Lang’s book on gratitude, which I reviewed in The practice of gratitude. It may help the reader step back from the daily craziness and put this moment in perspective.

• Disagreement without hatred is based on a book by Justin Welby, which has helped me consider how to structure and have conversations that can lead to reconciliation, even with big, seemingly intractable issues.

• Even small challenges have impact took me back to Claire Keegan’s short novel that was a reminder that confrontations against complicit silence come in all sizes. And even the small challenges can have tremendous impact.

• I also examined the work and careers of two long-time friends and colleagues in Leadership that brings people together—something we are sorely missing in this moment.

• Apropos of nothing to do with the election, Weaving together the fascinating story of sheep is based on an intriguing book by Sally Coulthard describing how sheep have been central to the human story for millennia. Yes, you’d be surprised.

• And there is the always popular From the bookshelf: October 2024.

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MUSIC AS A BALM FOR THE TROUBLED SOUL

Two posts considered music’s role in helping us through difficult times.

• Continue to do the good work is a reminder that unprocessed grief is never healthy. New and old songs can help.

• In Down the rabbit hole, I turn to a weekend of live music—from marching bands to bluegrass to choral evensong—to provide some solace in troubled times.

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FEATURED COMMENTS

In response to my post Step away from the exhausting digital clutter, Brilliant Reader (and damn good writer) Janet Hulstrand told a touching story in the comments that made me smile. I wanted to share it more widely.

“One of the many things I love about Paris is the pianos they have in several of the train stations that anyone who wants to can play. (A vous de jouer is the invitation). Whenever I have the time (and the piano in Gare de l’Est is not already being played) I sit down and play a little tune or two that I can play from memory.

Yesterday, as I was feeling particularly unsettled by a variety of both small and insignifcant, and larger, more significant things, I was happy to see that the piano was available. I sat down and played first the Ashokan Farewell; and then Danny Boy. Two rather elegiacal tunes that nonetheless helped me to feel recentered, and even a little bit happier.

My mom told me that when I was a child she could always tell when I had had a challenging day at school because I headed straight for the piano when I got home. Turns out that it works the same magic for me now, well into my adulthood.

I will never stop being grateful to my parents for giving me that gift.”

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CONCLUSION

Thanks, as always, for reading. Your support and feedback mean more than I can ever express.

As you travel life’s highways be open to love; thirst for wonder; undertake some mindful, transformative walking every day. Recognize the incredible privilege that most of us have and think about how to put that privilege to use for good. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, immigrants, and others can feel especially vulnerable . . . because they are. Work hard for justice and democracy as the fight never ends.

When times get rough, let your memories wander back to some wonderful place with remembrances of family and friends. But don’t be too hard on yourself if a few of the facts slip. Just get the poetry right.

Remember that “we are here to keep watch, not to keep.” Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. And bash into some joy along the way.

Finally, try to be nice. Always be kind.

More to come . . .

DJB

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For the October 2024 summary, click here.

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Photo of pumpkins and hay bales by Joseph Gonzalez on Unsplash