Category: Nonfiction

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Coffee and Contemplation: Nonviolent Resistance and Protesting

A couple days ago something amazing happened in Portland, Oregon. Portland police ‘retreat’ after standoff with NAKED female protester. A woman walked up to police stopping several feet away and began performing yoga on the street. The police eventually withdrew. With all the protests happening around the country, I think people may need more ideas of nonviolent resistance. There have been many examples throughout history including the Sit-In protests in the 1960s. Black Americans who were not allowed in “white only” establishments would sit down refusing to leave. They would sometimes fill an entire restaurant.

I first want to point out the difference between Nonviolent Resistance and Civil Disobedience. Berel Lang makes the argument that civil disobedience is a form of political action which necessarily aims at reform, rather than revolution: its efforts are typically directed at the disputing of particular laws or group of laws, while conceding the authority of the government responsible for them. In contrast, political acts of nonviolent resistance can have revolutionary ends. My takeaway is Civil Disobedience is like people protesting against wearing masks and quarantine (things in place to help protect people). Nonviolent Resistance is protesting against police brutality such as the naked yoga woman I mentioned.

There are many forms of Nonviolent Resistance. Many have been seen in the US for the last few years. Tactics such as picketing, marches, vigils, leafletting, protest art, protest music and poetry, and boycotts are just a few examples. One of my favorite historical events was The Singing Revolution which helped lead to the liberation of the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia). As a fan for “V for Vendetta” (2005), I also enjoyed reading about The Rose Revolution in the country of Georgia. The event derives its name from the climactic moment, when demonstrators led by Mikheil Saakashvili stormed the Parliament session with red roses in hand.

I hope some of these examples help everyone think of new ways of Nonviolent Resistance. The entire United States and the world at large has to work together to make the world a better place. Reform is no longer and option. It’s time for a revolution. I hope we can achieve a nonviolent end to all the suffering.

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Could Haves/Should Haves Day

Today, the third Saturday in July, is Toss Away the Could Haves/Should Haves Day. It means don’t go through life with regrets. Dr. Martha J. Ross-Rodgers, author and motivational speaker, created this day to help people let go of the past and live in the present. It begins with getting a piece of paper and writing down your “could haves” and your “should haves” in separate columns. Next, throw out the paper and make a resolution.

“From this day forward, I choose not to live in the past. The past is history that I cannot change. I can do something about the present; I choose to live in the present.”

Living in the past can do more harm than good. I’ve battled depression and my thoughts often filtered back to using past events as an excuse to give up or not even try. Letting go of those things is liberating. There are still things I regret and wish I could have done differently, but I don’t dwell on them or let them affect my judgement. Life can be an exciting adventure if you allow yourself to enjoy it. But you must live in the present. I’ll end today’s post with a quote from Lao Tzu.

“If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

~ Lao Tzu
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Wacky Wednesday: July 15

We have a fun Wacky Wednesday this week’s with lots of obscure wacky holidays. First, we have our usual wacky words. Our first word is a mouthful, Triskaidekaphobia. It’s pronounced ‘TRIS-kye-DEK-a-FOH-bee-a.’  It’s the fear and avoidance of the number 13. Friday the 13th and the Apollo 13 mission are two examples of the unlucky 13. Our next word is an adjective and I can’t say I’ve heard it used here in the United States. Rawky meaning of weather or atmosphere: cold, damp, chilly, dull, foggy. Though I’ve never heard it, I’m certain there are many places on the East coast with rawky weather.

The holidays for today are straight forward. Today is National Give Something Away Day, National I Love Horses Day, National Tapioca Pudding Day, National Pet Fire Safety Day, and National Gummi Worm Day. If you like horses, gummi worms, or tapioca pudding, I’m sure you know how to celebrate. For Give Something Away Day, you can clean out your closet or garage and donate what you find. You could buy a friend a meal or a drink. It’s pretty simple. Pet Fire Safety Day reminds us to consider our pets when planning fire safety. While I value many things in my home, the first thing I’m grabbing is my cat, Callie, and running out the door. Even if I’m still in my pajamas.