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We Have Each Other!
Extended isolation is killing us, physically and emotionally. Suicides, drug overdoses, and untended health problems are deadly outcomes during this virus pandemic. But I’m here with positive news and a way for us to remind each other that we are in this together. Rather than dwell on what we can’t do, I’m choosing to focus on what we can do.
I’ve finally realized that the most important thing for me to do is to reduce my isolation! It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Here are some of the steps I’m going to take:
- Connect with one friend per day. That means I will make a phone call or send a personal note. Now I dislike talking on the phone, but if I keep it to a few minutes, it will be worth it. Hearing the other person’s voice, finding something to laugh at (I usually make an easy victim), or telling a story will lighten my load. Since I know others are busy, I will first ask if they have a couple of minutes, and then say I won’t be long. I could call people all over the country that I haven’t talked to in ages. It would be fun to catch up, and share our lives. I’m feeling better just talking about it!
- I will send an email just to say I’m thinking of that person. Remind him or her of a memory we shared or a joke I’ve heard. (Well, maybe not a joke because I’m terrible at punch lines.) I would make a point to only include funny, light, or heartfelt comments. It shouldn’t be a long email, but just a way to make a sweet connection.
- Before the virus, I was in the process of organizing a Jewish group. It was called Teshuvah, and after our first meeting, the virus hit. I’ve only rarely been in touch since we can’t get together. We were going to meet with an agenda to become better acquainted with the Jewish holidays. Instead, for each holiday I will send out a blurb, maybe call it, “Did You Know,” with something unlikely to be known about the holiday, maybe include a quote from a well-known Jewish teacher. It will keep the connections going and maybe add a few new people. I could do this every couple of weeks.
But I realize that I also have relationships with like-minded Conservative people all over the country! I have all of you, my Ricochet friends! I would like to think of these relationships as a Web of Friendship, may be present in every state of the Union. I will want to know that I have engaged, sustained, and continually supported all of you, even after the election, no matter what happens. So here’s my proposal:
I’d love to hear where everyone lives! You only need to share your state and include a word of support for every Ricochetti. No cost, no obligation.
I’ll start it out: I live in Central Florida, and my message to all of you is that I have your back no matter what the election outcome is. We’re in this together!
Does anyone else want to chime in?
Published in Culture
Dallas, Tx.
I am normally a happy loner, passive, but by now i realize that’s got to change.
I’m kind of a newbie around these parts, but I’ll check in: I live in College Station, Texas.
I live beyond the tax boundary of Battle Creek, Michigan.
I live on Vancouver Island, BC; somewhat northwest of Seattle.
I envy those who live in territories where Ricochettis are dense enough to meet up.
Uh, no you don’t. Like California, Maryland has not voted for a republican for president since 1988. However, the big city in my part of the country is Washington, DC. Washington DC voted over five percent more for Hillary Clinton than did San Francisco. Just sayin’🙂
Oh no. You’re not getting away with that.
It was my great privilege to spend this just-past Shabbos with iWe and the iWevians, both large and small. The welcome offered and hospitality given was only the first part of a wonderful experience from start to finish, and I’d strongly encourage any Ricochetti who find themselves within striking distance of Baltimore to take iWe up on his standing offer. An unforgettable day.
You’re sure not alone, @headedwest. A lot of Texans have checked in!!
I’m in central North Carolina, just south of Chapel Hill and not too far from @blondie.
I was already used to working from home, and I tend to be a bit of an introvert, so I’m one of the lucky ones whose life hasn’t felt particularly upended by this thing. But I’m getting tired of it. The main excitement in our lives nowadays is our ongoing kitchen renovation, which should have been done by now, but frankly I’m content to see the project drag on longer. Once it’s done I’ll have to find something new to look forward to.
I have been starting to unplug from social media because I’ve finally accepted the fact that it makes me unhappier. I have also decided that my own emotional well being requires that I stop caring so much about politics. I think I’d rather focus on my family and my little plot of land in the country and let the rest of the world tend to itself.
For that reason, I was considering stepping away from Ricochet. But this post is making me realize there are good reasons to stay around, if I can just find a way to minimize the things that stress me out.
I’ve found if I largely ignore the politics posts, while writing about the many many other things that interest me, it’s much more rewarding.
You’re singing my song, @skipsul. I do weigh in on politics when I feel like it, but it’s a relatively small part of my Ricochet world. Thanks to @susanquinn for highlighting these important and very valuable connections.
I don’t have to look all that far to find websites where I can be shrieked at, lectured, lied about or insulted; something about the Internet seems to feed, grow, and foster that kind of performative and preening behavior. Ricochet is special exactly because it’s possible to minimize all of that, to still find rational and collegial conversation about a wide variety of interesting and thought-provoking topics, and to form real online and IRL friendships.
@bartholomewxerxesogilviejr, see @skipsul‘s comment #69. We haven’t had a post from you in a while!
I can’t tell you how many times in the last few months I have started (and maybe even finished writing) a post, only to delete it without publishing. I don’t know why. There’s just some part of me that just doesn’t want to get into it anymore (whatever “it” might be). It’s as if everything has been so poisoned by politics that I can’t think of any subject I want to talk about. I should probably just force myself to write something.
I can identify with what you’re saying, BXO. Politics can blot out everything. But sit quietly and think about your life–I liked your comment about trying to find the “next new thing” when the kitchen is done, for example. In some ways it’s hard to separate out politics from just about anything. But the post in you–just brush aside the nasty stuff and it’ll pop right up!
That’s a good point. I just can’t imagine anything being crazier than SF! We actually have a proposition on this years ballot to allow discrimination based on race: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_California_Proposition_16
I’ll cheers you from the opposite coast!
You guys are going to living in caves soon–no power, no homes, no cities. You should get out while you can!
Amen, brother, amen.
You current comment sounds like the beginning of a great post: write about not wanting to write. Very Zen🙂
Likewise and thanks. It sounds like we both need all the cheers we can get
We don’t bite. ;) Please participate more if you can.
If you are coming into this post late, don’t forget to tell us which state you live in! Great minds what to know! ;-)
When I first joined Ricochet about 9 years ago, I lived in the Denver suburbs. We’re living in the northeast Houston suburbs now. It’s good to be back – I rejoined exactly for this – a group where we can support each other as the world steadily gets weirder.
Another Texan! It’s good to have you here, @kellyb.
I’m in east Tennessee, about 20 miles outside of Knoxville, and near three other Rico peeps that I’m aware of.
Thanks, @oldbuckeye. I’ll be adding these up soon, but only those who check in. I know there are lots of folks here in FL, too, but unless they report in, I’m not including them in my tally. You guys are the ones who count!
For those interested, I compiled a list of states represented on this post. I am certain that there are many, many more people who live in these same states and in others, who didn’t comment on this post, but I wanted to thank those of you who responded! Seventeen states plus British Columbia were represented, and the Texas number was bigger than anyone’s! (Is anyone surprised?) We have created a Ricochet Web across the country. How about scheduling some Ricochet Meet-ups!
Here’s the list, in no particular order:
Georgia—1
Illinois—2
Kansas—1
Ohio—1
Massachusetts—1
Washington—1
No. Carolina—3
Pennsylvania—1
Texas—6
Arizona—1
Maryland—2
California—1
So. Carolina—2
New York—1
Michigan—1
Tennessee—1
Florida—1
British Columbia—1
Show off!!!