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founding

You’ve rarely written more profoundly. The political instability, lack of trust and multilateral cooperation combine with nuclear threat, uncontrolled climate crisis, global hunger, social injustice and much more. We are living in desperate times.

“But the stakes are high, the problems are complex, and the narrow path to a peaceful and happy future can only be walked once; there is no room for dramatic failures.” Powerful words. However, as bleak as all may seem, you find the positivity that’s essential for perseverance.

With the midterm elections in the US, we are holding our breath because ‘the stakes are high’.

Your history of PM King is interesting and I’m sure he’d be pleased with your beautiful Alexnote featuring his lovely retreat. So nice you could enjoy it and the surrounding nature. The photos are wonderful and are hopeful for a peaceful, happy future.

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Thank you, Lizzie

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Yes, what unpredictable turbulent times we are living in. Actually who could have fathomed the past approximately 2-1/2 years with Covid, the past 6 years of political lies & unrest?

Yes, nature gives peace and perspective. Have you been thinking how your pilgrimage on the Camino has changed, transformed you?

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I suppose an experience like that leaves some traces in a positive way, lots of lessons to be learned and there are the health benefits as well. But I am too old to be transformed during a month of travel. I have countless impressive memories, met amazing people, loved being in nature; all this reconfirmed to me that it is good to take some time off and do a thing like this.

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Past is definitely prologue! I too am astonished at how easily people get swept up by the empty slogans of strongmen. Sadly, I think it speaks to a general lack of critical thinking skills and ability for individuals to think for themselves. Or maybe it's groupthink, confirmation bias, or any of those other psychological compulsions whereby if a person doesn't have the will or skills to pause and question, they go with what emotionally feels "normal," even if it's abnormal.

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And that makes those who are strong enough to think for themselves, and those that stay human when human rights are trampled upon, the real heroes to look up to. I may write about them a bit more.

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Yes! That's who I focus on :)

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Poetic prose for such profane behavior and consequences. :/ Trump, et. al. is an assault on anything even remotely sacred.

The writing has been "on the wall" for a long, long time, and it's truly mind-blowing how people choose to live with blinders on, or to blindly follow despots.

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I find this a fascinating theme: why do we collectively keep making the same mistakes over and over again. And there is another one: why are those leaders with such a following of millions such untalented and not impressive people? Why failed painters and failed businessmen? If you want to follow a leader, why not at least pick one with a proven track record of success?

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