Dear, lovely Bear 🐻. Do you not think we can see behind that professional persona? Do you not think your gentleness and caring nature shines through? If you weren't such a lovely, kind Bear you wouldn't get upset about what's going on in the world. All the online friends I have who feel outrage, anger, pain at what the worlds so called leaders are doing, are also gentle, kind and caring. You ain't fooling anyone, ya big cuddly person! I'm 5'1" and I'd love to cuddle the stuffing out of you! ( Unfortunately I'd probably only manage to cuddle your kneecap!) Keep on being the lovely person you are. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you, Bear. I think this piece will help a lot of us to feel more connected. We are all trying to negotiate an increasingly perilous and bewildering world, and we need each other. All of us. This isn’t as good as one-to-one connection, obviously, but there is comfort in feeling less alone, if through the ether, and you have achieved that. I am grateful.
Dear Bear, I feel like that most of the time. But I'm 82, full of words, thoughtful, passionate words but who will listen to me and in any case what will I change? We have the builders in soon and we're both worrying the didn't listen to what we said so my equally full of what he still manages to know from his life husband is drawing up a blueprint because he knows their specs are wrong. We've had the mouse man in this week and been patronised by him. And someone reminded us patiently and kindly about the poorly cat that pets do die.
And now America has sent the bombers in again, our beloved leader doesn't know where he is between Esther Rantzen and Donald Trump, and me and my husband, what with his cardiac and both our bad backs are soon likely to be invited to step over the Rainbow Bridge. I see some entropeneur has already designed a gas pod for couples.
I've been reading the world room for some years, almost nobody has believed anything I've seen and said even though I’ve pointed out that fascism was still alive and thriving when I was born. People I love and used to respect have voted for and supported its return on the grounds there just too many of us too costly to keep, like a bunch of worn out racehorses no longer working and winning we're only fit for the knacker's yard. Express a concern, and do you know what day it is dearie?
So having got that off my chest,we're having belly pork for dinner, a glass or two of Spumante and probably a very non-old age platonic cuddle a bit later. Meanwhile love and hope for all those today for whom arbeit no longer makes frei. And to whom, many would deny not only an opinion but also a life.
I sometimes wonder about this, too. About being the real me, rather than the me that appears online. I used to be a fairly rabid socialist, but soon realised that the only person I was affecting was me. It consumed my time, it exploded my blood pressure, and the screaming of anger circulated inside my head for long after the laptop was shut.
I also used to have a real me, and an 'online' me. Separating the professional and the personal. Until the time I was posting as the 'online' me, and signed off with my real name. What an idiot.
So I am me, somewhat edited online, far more garrulous IRL. What I now do is to not let things affect me too much. I am just me, living in a wooden shack, surrounded by trees and noisy ducks, realising that my words online will rarely touch those whose opinions I despise, no matter how much I rant. I say my piece, then go talk to the ducks and moorhens who ask nothing of me, other than a bit of food every now and again.
Ah Bear, these are hard times we’re going through and l feel, as many of my friends do, that it is getting harder, that no one is listening. Yes we still keep turning up, ranting at times, trying to be logical at others and feeling that fear, which spurs me to anger, didn’t we elect these people to represent us. Jeez!
I really understood your wanting to fix your friend’s problem, if you’re a fixer and l am too, it’s what we do and we want to do it for our loved ones, or even the lost soul in the street who doesn’t know where the paper shop is. I burnt out some 20 years ago and l learnt sometimes it’s just the being beside someone that counts and l bet actually you’re really good at that. We’re all doing our best l think but it’s coming from the heart centre that makes the difference.
Thanks Bear. I spit take on the dignified drowning line!
As for shouting, I chair a lot of meetings and I learned a lesson many years ago which has stood me in good stead...
I was heavily involved in amateur theatre in Cornwall for many years, and this particular meeting was a bunch of my fellow "luvvies" trying to organise an event, bringing groups from all over the Duchy together. As you can imagine, a room full of enthusiastic theatricals all trying to speak at once was getting both tiresome and us nowhere...
A chap who'd to this point not said a word picked his moment perfectly and very quietly and in measured tones began to speak, and EVERYONE stopped and listened. It was magical. I just had a shiver down my spine thinking back to that moment.
I do shout at clouds sometimes, but I'm in my sixties now and feel fully entitled to do so, but I've used this technique on a few occasions, one as recently as April, and I quietly thank him every time.
Keep your quiet measured missives coming for as long as you feel able.
Yours is one of the few accounts on here I'd pay for if circumstances allowed, but I'm lower down the NHS food chain than you! Perhaps I should start recounting tales from 46 years in the NHS... some of them would make your teeth curl.
Oh Bear, I do so love what you write. Down to earth, real and relatable. We need this so much right now. You musings counters a world where there is so much hype and disinformation and nastiness.
Your “Unpolished Self” is more than good enough for me and, judging by the comments here, it is for a helluva lot more than me. Now … write on… (please)
Perhaps now Bear, after all these comments, you may realise we (the real human beings reading your out pourings) are all like you - struggling to find a smidgen of sense in the hurricane of shite that the MSM portray this world to be.
There is tho a different truth out there. One of kindness, support, optimism & hope. No matter what, the ginge twat will soon (in the scheme of things) enough be gone. No one can afford (in every sense) WWIII so it simply isnt going to happen. It'll be like all else, so much posturing & seeing who can pee up the toilet wall highest this year. At some point things will def reset but in the meantime our survival instincts scream at us endlessly to prepare for the worst...
Oh Bear, you capture feelings we all have. Sometimes different reasons, different situations but none of us have answers. Quite timely for me. On Tuesday I’m Named Person at a mental health tribunal. And much as I’m happy to represent this persons interest who the hell am I to stand at any tribunal and convince an array of professionals.
So, yore not alone; certainly not in that overwhelming feeling of trying to shout at the moon and get her to listen; nor of sometimes wanting to switch off every last digital and electronic device and do something completely in our own bubble away from chaos and increasingly alarming news or wilder conspiracy theories.
But whatever we do; we do what little we can (which may be a lot, if we but knew it), and as best we can. Because if no one makes an effort, or a difference, then I fear an Orwelian future at best. And in times of doubt , think of Margaret Meads quote. I would insert the word ‘ordinary’ in front of thoughtful, committed; it would be how I see those prepared to use language powerfully and in doing so, support others to fight against injustice disinformation et al. Those like yourself do that.
Thank you so much for writing this piece. I felt compelled to write to you after this.
I love reading your blogs because they help me make sense of what is going on. I don't have the words myself to explain all rhis but you're writing really helps me.
And thank you for sharing more of yourself. Perhaps it's time for us to help you and say that yes we're all scared but let's hang on in there...
Thank you Bear for putting into words the thoughts and feelings I relate to so much. My former pupils and my family would tell you that when I use my quiet voice I’m at my most dangerous; basically the calm before the storm. There is so much to rail against nowadays and this morning’s news from the other side of the pond is extremely worrying. I’m in my seventies and try not to show the despair I feel whenever Felon 47 opens his mouth or signs an executive order that means more performative cruelty to the vulnerable. You put the world straight and help to keep me moving forward rather than looking back.
It is indeed the feeling of being powerless that as humans we all struggle with. We see the daily horror, and indescribable pain & trauma suffered by so many in various situations and we want to sort it out, help in some way.
Dear, lovely Bear 🐻. Do you not think we can see behind that professional persona? Do you not think your gentleness and caring nature shines through? If you weren't such a lovely, kind Bear you wouldn't get upset about what's going on in the world. All the online friends I have who feel outrage, anger, pain at what the worlds so called leaders are doing, are also gentle, kind and caring. You ain't fooling anyone, ya big cuddly person! I'm 5'1" and I'd love to cuddle the stuffing out of you! ( Unfortunately I'd probably only manage to cuddle your kneecap!) Keep on being the lovely person you are. Xxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you, you said exactly what i feel for The Bear and would like to say! ☺️
Thank you, Bear. I think this piece will help a lot of us to feel more connected. We are all trying to negotiate an increasingly perilous and bewildering world, and we need each other. All of us. This isn’t as good as one-to-one connection, obviously, but there is comfort in feeling less alone, if through the ether, and you have achieved that. I am grateful.
Dear Bear, I feel like that most of the time. But I'm 82, full of words, thoughtful, passionate words but who will listen to me and in any case what will I change? We have the builders in soon and we're both worrying the didn't listen to what we said so my equally full of what he still manages to know from his life husband is drawing up a blueprint because he knows their specs are wrong. We've had the mouse man in this week and been patronised by him. And someone reminded us patiently and kindly about the poorly cat that pets do die.
And now America has sent the bombers in again, our beloved leader doesn't know where he is between Esther Rantzen and Donald Trump, and me and my husband, what with his cardiac and both our bad backs are soon likely to be invited to step over the Rainbow Bridge. I see some entropeneur has already designed a gas pod for couples.
I've been reading the world room for some years, almost nobody has believed anything I've seen and said even though I’ve pointed out that fascism was still alive and thriving when I was born. People I love and used to respect have voted for and supported its return on the grounds there just too many of us too costly to keep, like a bunch of worn out racehorses no longer working and winning we're only fit for the knacker's yard. Express a concern, and do you know what day it is dearie?
So having got that off my chest,we're having belly pork for dinner, a glass or two of Spumante and probably a very non-old age platonic cuddle a bit later. Meanwhile love and hope for all those today for whom arbeit no longer makes frei. And to whom, many would deny not only an opinion but also a life.
Rant over.
I sometimes wonder about this, too. About being the real me, rather than the me that appears online. I used to be a fairly rabid socialist, but soon realised that the only person I was affecting was me. It consumed my time, it exploded my blood pressure, and the screaming of anger circulated inside my head for long after the laptop was shut.
I also used to have a real me, and an 'online' me. Separating the professional and the personal. Until the time I was posting as the 'online' me, and signed off with my real name. What an idiot.
So I am me, somewhat edited online, far more garrulous IRL. What I now do is to not let things affect me too much. I am just me, living in a wooden shack, surrounded by trees and noisy ducks, realising that my words online will rarely touch those whose opinions I despise, no matter how much I rant. I say my piece, then go talk to the ducks and moorhens who ask nothing of me, other than a bit of food every now and again.
Ah Bear, these are hard times we’re going through and l feel, as many of my friends do, that it is getting harder, that no one is listening. Yes we still keep turning up, ranting at times, trying to be logical at others and feeling that fear, which spurs me to anger, didn’t we elect these people to represent us. Jeez!
I really understood your wanting to fix your friend’s problem, if you’re a fixer and l am too, it’s what we do and we want to do it for our loved ones, or even the lost soul in the street who doesn’t know where the paper shop is. I burnt out some 20 years ago and l learnt sometimes it’s just the being beside someone that counts and l bet actually you’re really good at that. We’re all doing our best l think but it’s coming from the heart centre that makes the difference.
I learn from you, laugh with you and do worry about you dealing with so many dreadful people. However, coriander... Bear 🫣
Thanks Bear. I spit take on the dignified drowning line!
As for shouting, I chair a lot of meetings and I learned a lesson many years ago which has stood me in good stead...
I was heavily involved in amateur theatre in Cornwall for many years, and this particular meeting was a bunch of my fellow "luvvies" trying to organise an event, bringing groups from all over the Duchy together. As you can imagine, a room full of enthusiastic theatricals all trying to speak at once was getting both tiresome and us nowhere...
A chap who'd to this point not said a word picked his moment perfectly and very quietly and in measured tones began to speak, and EVERYONE stopped and listened. It was magical. I just had a shiver down my spine thinking back to that moment.
I do shout at clouds sometimes, but I'm in my sixties now and feel fully entitled to do so, but I've used this technique on a few occasions, one as recently as April, and I quietly thank him every time.
Keep your quiet measured missives coming for as long as you feel able.
Yours is one of the few accounts on here I'd pay for if circumstances allowed, but I'm lower down the NHS food chain than you! Perhaps I should start recounting tales from 46 years in the NHS... some of them would make your teeth curl.
Best from Cornwall. x
Oh Bear, I do so love what you write. Down to earth, real and relatable. We need this so much right now. You musings counters a world where there is so much hype and disinformation and nastiness.
Thank you. x
Dear Bear
Your “Unpolished Self” is more than good enough for me and, judging by the comments here, it is for a helluva lot more than me. Now … write on… (please)
Perhaps now Bear, after all these comments, you may realise we (the real human beings reading your out pourings) are all like you - struggling to find a smidgen of sense in the hurricane of shite that the MSM portray this world to be.
There is tho a different truth out there. One of kindness, support, optimism & hope. No matter what, the ginge twat will soon (in the scheme of things) enough be gone. No one can afford (in every sense) WWIII so it simply isnt going to happen. It'll be like all else, so much posturing & seeing who can pee up the toilet wall highest this year. At some point things will def reset but in the meantime our survival instincts scream at us endlessly to prepare for the worst...
Oh Bear, you capture feelings we all have. Sometimes different reasons, different situations but none of us have answers. Quite timely for me. On Tuesday I’m Named Person at a mental health tribunal. And much as I’m happy to represent this persons interest who the hell am I to stand at any tribunal and convince an array of professionals.
So, yore not alone; certainly not in that overwhelming feeling of trying to shout at the moon and get her to listen; nor of sometimes wanting to switch off every last digital and electronic device and do something completely in our own bubble away from chaos and increasingly alarming news or wilder conspiracy theories.
But whatever we do; we do what little we can (which may be a lot, if we but knew it), and as best we can. Because if no one makes an effort, or a difference, then I fear an Orwelian future at best. And in times of doubt , think of Margaret Meads quote. I would insert the word ‘ordinary’ in front of thoughtful, committed; it would be how I see those prepared to use language powerfully and in doing so, support others to fight against injustice disinformation et al. Those like yourself do that.
Thank you so much for writing this piece. I felt compelled to write to you after this.
I love reading your blogs because they help me make sense of what is going on. I don't have the words myself to explain all rhis but you're writing really helps me.
And thank you for sharing more of yourself. Perhaps it's time for us to help you and say that yes we're all scared but let's hang on in there...
Much love and appreciation
Helen
You could have written every word of that about me too - except the part about coriander! I can’t stand coriander! 😂
We need to all keep checking in with the other parts of our lives, and checking out of the hideousness sometimes.
Thank you for describing that so eloquently.
Thank you Bear for putting into words the thoughts and feelings I relate to so much. My former pupils and my family would tell you that when I use my quiet voice I’m at my most dangerous; basically the calm before the storm. There is so much to rail against nowadays and this morning’s news from the other side of the pond is extremely worrying. I’m in my seventies and try not to show the despair I feel whenever Felon 47 opens his mouth or signs an executive order that means more performative cruelty to the vulnerable. You put the world straight and help to keep me moving forward rather than looking back.
It is indeed the feeling of being powerless that as humans we all struggle with. We see the daily horror, and indescribable pain & trauma suffered by so many in various situations and we want to sort it out, help in some way.
Beautiful ❤️. Heartwarming. Tearjerking. Nothing new. Just the exquisite essence of humanity that is you Bear 🐻 xx
Hugs. Lots of them. And coffee. And spring onions?