For whatever reason I just saw this. And not for the first time, Beth was in my head! I have a white board in my office that I wasn’t really using, so a few months ago I started writing quotes/phrases on the board each week. This weeks quote is “Cynicism is a cop out.” Because boy do I need that reminder a lot these days. Hang in there Beth!
Thank you for putting into words the uncomfortable feelings I have had more often than I’d like. Knowing you and so many others who follow you feel similarly makes the burden a little lighter💙
This James Baldwin quote is one of my all-time favorites. I re-read it a lot when Trump is president.
“It began to seem that one would have to hold in the mind forever two ideas which seemed to be in opposition. The first idea was acceptance, the acceptance, totally without rancor, of life as it is, and men as they are: in the light of this idea, it goes without saying that injustice is a commonplace. But this did not mean that one could be complacent, for the second idea was of equal power: that one must never, in one's own life, accept these injustices as commonplace but must fight them with all one's strength. This fight begins, however, in the heart and it now had been laid to my charge to keep my own heart free of hatred and despair.”
Thank you for posting this article. This helped unlock something I have been trying to put words to: I kept saying I was feeling ungenerous or just thinking the worst of people with no real evidence. Now that I have identified this feeling as cynicism, I think I will be more able to combat it. Thank you! And thank you Ellen!
I feel like I am living this piece too Beth! My patience with people is wearing so thin and my grace for people whom I believe are operating from a place of total self-interest is basically non-existent. But it is poisoning me. I am feeling in the larger space of politics, but also in my church circle. Thank you for your eloquent words and for sharing so much of Ellen's wisdom with us.
This struggle is so relatable-thank you for sharing. I hope your shower has the right pressure and endless hot water because 1) crying in shower because of something freaking amazing our tweens/teens say or do is essential and 2) water is medicine 💧
BETH, YOU ARE THE BEST. I APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH. YOU HELP ME FEEL LESS ALONE. I’m letting the all caps stand in for a longer, more intelligent response, but I just had to shout that to the universe and you.
Thanks for sharing Beth! I can completely relate, as I sometimes feel like ’ cynical’ is my default operating mode. It is hard to rally against the despair that unchecked cynicism inevitably leads to, especially when everything in the news seems to reinforce those sentiments. I think for me despair is the ultimate sin because it implies that nothing can be done and there is no hope. And that feels like a fundamentally un-Christian concept. It’s easier for those of us who can choose to disengage from the news, but I hope you choose to stay in it, because the grace and humor that your brand of journalism provides is a powerful antidote to the bleak headlines we are bombarded with daily. And it gives me hope for the future! ✌️
Grace to you & your struggles. We’re all struggling. Patience, intelligence, nuanced discussions - are maybe more important now than ever. Your words is light during very dark times. God bless.
This was beautiful. Remember Ellen's praise as she navigates the teenage years. You may be relying on those skills now with Jane. My daughter became very independent as a teenager and it was difficult feeling like the her foe. She's 29 now and we have a friendship unlike any other. I come to PP for a thoughtful view of politics because I still care. I stay for what you bring outside of politics into Good Morning, the deep More To Say, and especially the Spicy conversations. ⚘️
Beth, as someone my family says has the patience of Job, I feel you. When I went to college in 1975 I kept a Doonesbury cartoon on my dorm door. It said, “A cynic knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing.” Cynicism won’t win with you, you absolutely understand the value of everything. Thanks for all you do for all of us.
I appreciate you Beth, and all at PSP. Thank you for hanging in there and being a guide thru the crazy chaos of our politics. Keep going. That's all I can say to the lot of you, keep going. We need you now more than ever. (I know you feel the same.) Just want to reach out and let you know how much I appreciate all your perspectives whether I believe whole-hearted or not. We need this platform. We need you. Thanks for all you do💙
For whatever reason I just saw this. And not for the first time, Beth was in my head! I have a white board in my office that I wasn’t really using, so a few months ago I started writing quotes/phrases on the board each week. This weeks quote is “Cynicism is a cop out.” Because boy do I need that reminder a lot these days. Hang in there Beth!
Thank you for putting into words the uncomfortable feelings I have had more often than I’d like. Knowing you and so many others who follow you feel similarly makes the burden a little lighter💙
This James Baldwin quote is one of my all-time favorites. I re-read it a lot when Trump is president.
“It began to seem that one would have to hold in the mind forever two ideas which seemed to be in opposition. The first idea was acceptance, the acceptance, totally without rancor, of life as it is, and men as they are: in the light of this idea, it goes without saying that injustice is a commonplace. But this did not mean that one could be complacent, for the second idea was of equal power: that one must never, in one's own life, accept these injustices as commonplace but must fight them with all one's strength. This fight begins, however, in the heart and it now had been laid to my charge to keep my own heart free of hatred and despair.”
Thank you for posting this article. This helped unlock something I have been trying to put words to: I kept saying I was feeling ungenerous or just thinking the worst of people with no real evidence. Now that I have identified this feeling as cynicism, I think I will be more able to combat it. Thank you! And thank you Ellen!
I needed to read this. 2025 is 2017's evil twin. Yes.
I can honestly say I don't think anyone has ever told me I was patient. ahahahaha hahaha ha
I feel like I am living this piece too Beth! My patience with people is wearing so thin and my grace for people whom I believe are operating from a place of total self-interest is basically non-existent. But it is poisoning me. I am feeling in the larger space of politics, but also in my church circle. Thank you for your eloquent words and for sharing so much of Ellen's wisdom with us.
This struggle is so relatable-thank you for sharing. I hope your shower has the right pressure and endless hot water because 1) crying in shower because of something freaking amazing our tweens/teens say or do is essential and 2) water is medicine 💧
BETH, YOU ARE THE BEST. I APPRECIATE YOU SO MUCH. YOU HELP ME FEEL LESS ALONE. I’m letting the all caps stand in for a longer, more intelligent response, but I just had to shout that to the universe and you.
How you just said everything I’m feeling.
Thanks for sharing Beth! I can completely relate, as I sometimes feel like ’ cynical’ is my default operating mode. It is hard to rally against the despair that unchecked cynicism inevitably leads to, especially when everything in the news seems to reinforce those sentiments. I think for me despair is the ultimate sin because it implies that nothing can be done and there is no hope. And that feels like a fundamentally un-Christian concept. It’s easier for those of us who can choose to disengage from the news, but I hope you choose to stay in it, because the grace and humor that your brand of journalism provides is a powerful antidote to the bleak headlines we are bombarded with daily. And it gives me hope for the future! ✌️
Grace to you & your struggles. We’re all struggling. Patience, intelligence, nuanced discussions - are maybe more important now than ever. Your words is light during very dark times. God bless.
This was beautiful. Remember Ellen's praise as she navigates the teenage years. You may be relying on those skills now with Jane. My daughter became very independent as a teenager and it was difficult feeling like the her foe. She's 29 now and we have a friendship unlike any other. I come to PP for a thoughtful view of politics because I still care. I stay for what you bring outside of politics into Good Morning, the deep More To Say, and especially the Spicy conversations. ⚘️
Beth, as someone my family says has the patience of Job, I feel you. When I went to college in 1975 I kept a Doonesbury cartoon on my dorm door. It said, “A cynic knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing.” Cynicism won’t win with you, you absolutely understand the value of everything. Thanks for all you do for all of us.
My first reaction is that I am devastated that even you, our dear Beth, are struggling.
Second reaction is just - Yes. We swore it wouldn’t be like 2017, the fear and anger and profound sadness. And the way these 10 yrs have changed us.
Please take good care 🫶🏼
I appreciate you Beth, and all at PSP. Thank you for hanging in there and being a guide thru the crazy chaos of our politics. Keep going. That's all I can say to the lot of you, keep going. We need you now more than ever. (I know you feel the same.) Just want to reach out and let you know how much I appreciate all your perspectives whether I believe whole-hearted or not. We need this platform. We need you. Thanks for all you do💙
And yes, out of the mouths of babes. Those voices will stop you in your tracks!