18 Comments
Nov 14Liked by Nicole Baart

I needed to hear this today. Picking my hope up off the floor and taking a step forward. Thank you, Nicole!

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I love that: “Picking my hope up off the floor and taking a step forward.” Same. Wishing you well.

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I, too, thought of Mr. Roger's quote, and realized that we are some of those helpers. I am sad and incredulous at what some people think is OK. I have nearly lost hope. But if that happens, then we truly are lost. So I'm trying to stay hopeful, look for beauty every day, and be helpful to others who feel this same way. Thank you for this, Nicole.

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If we lose hope we are truly lost... I couldn't agree more. I used to think hope was a soft, sweet thing, but we have to fight for it, don't we? Keep up the good fight, Connie. Thanks for commenting.

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I’m an NW Iowan who is living in Canada. Last weekend I attended a wedding in Michigan of an Afghan young woman whom I have tutored/mentored for half her life (starting online from Afghanistan) and a young Indian-American doctor. Dozens of friends of theirs from across America were there to celebrate and support them, including many young people of a variety of backgrounds, including a large number of European ancestry. These young people were open to diversity and eager to learn from the experience of a Hindu and a Muslim wedding and a mostly Western wedding reception. It gives me hope that there are many open, thoughtful young people who will be future leaders in America.

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I was once a NW Iowan living in Canada! Two beautiful places. Thanks for sharing your story. I love that you were able to witness such a celebration of life and love.

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Somehow you encapsulated everything I’m feeling in this post. How can the world be so beautiful and ugly at the same time? And how do humans find joy in dark times? So many billions of people on this planet today and in previous generations have lived through trauma and still found the space to laugh and love. We can too.

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Amen, Beth. We can too. Thanks for reading and for lighting up everything you touch.

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Nov 15Liked by Nicole Baart

Thank you for this.

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So glad it connected with you.

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My God, what a beautiful piece of writing. I just left a meeting where the woman next to me, in her late 70s, seemed on the verge of tears. I wish I could have slipped her these words to soothe her pain and fear.

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That’s high praise coming from you, Phoebe. Thanks. I’m in awe of you. Grateful for all the ways we keep trying to tell beautiful stories. 💜

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Thank you, Nicole. I needed to read what you are encouraging us to do today. Your words are a powerful reminder that we have the power to be the change.

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Thanks, Kathi. 💜 I needed to remind myself.

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Thank you for this, Nicole. It Starts With Us. We are neighbors. Hope is the avenue that connects us and Lady Wisdom roams here frequently. Again, thank you.

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Amen, sister! I couldn't agree more. Glad this resonated with you.

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Thank you for reminding us to reach out to those who need hope

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Thanks for reading, Marge. I'm glad you're here.

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