I haven't yet watched Heartstopper, but it's on my list and I know that people are overwhelmingly in love with it. I think any story that shows a marginalized group, or a part of society that is either mistreated or fetishized by mainstream media, in a positive way, and tells stories of their happiness, their possibilities and potential, is deeply important.
I don't know what stories bring me hope, exactly... 🤔 I find myself, in recent years, drawn almost exclusively to cozy stories - cozy crime/mystery, cozy fantasy - but I'm not sure if that is escapism? I just really enjoy a story where the stakes are kinda low and people figure things out and there are solutions to problems. And yes, watching people be good and kind to each other totally gives me hope (think Queer Eye or similar shows).
I like the idea of cozy stories. There is something very hopeful about the possibility of things just working out. And yes to people being kind and good - more of that! I stopped watching Yellowstone because I tired of everyone being awful.
I found you via Alex's weekly favorite reads list and can relate to so much here. I don't watch a lot of tv.v. but I'll look for the show!
I, too, struggle with writing about my own small life when just outside my door lies suffering and loss on such a grand scale. Maybe we're all more connected than we know and wherever we find ourselves, writing about our thoughts and impressions is what matters. Have you ever read Jack Gilbert's A Brief for the Defense? Here's a bit from it:
We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure,
but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have
the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless
furnace of this world. To make injustice the only
measure of our attention is to praise the Devil.
If the locomotive of the Lord runs us down,
we should give thanks that the end had magnitude.
We must admit there will be music despite everything.
Never read or seen these but will order at the library, thank you . My books to give me hope? Anything by Charles de Lint.
I will have to look them up!
https://open.substack.com/pub/coffeetimes12/p/shattered-dreams?r=2sow8l&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
“sometimes, the greatest victories are not measured in triumphs but in the unwavering refusal to surrender.” ❤️
I haven't yet watched Heartstopper, but it's on my list and I know that people are overwhelmingly in love with it. I think any story that shows a marginalized group, or a part of society that is either mistreated or fetishized by mainstream media, in a positive way, and tells stories of their happiness, their possibilities and potential, is deeply important.
I don't know what stories bring me hope, exactly... 🤔 I find myself, in recent years, drawn almost exclusively to cozy stories - cozy crime/mystery, cozy fantasy - but I'm not sure if that is escapism? I just really enjoy a story where the stakes are kinda low and people figure things out and there are solutions to problems. And yes, watching people be good and kind to each other totally gives me hope (think Queer Eye or similar shows).
I like the idea of cozy stories. There is something very hopeful about the possibility of things just working out. And yes to people being kind and good - more of that! I stopped watching Yellowstone because I tired of everyone being awful.
I found you via Alex's weekly favorite reads list and can relate to so much here. I don't watch a lot of tv.v. but I'll look for the show!
I, too, struggle with writing about my own small life when just outside my door lies suffering and loss on such a grand scale. Maybe we're all more connected than we know and wherever we find ourselves, writing about our thoughts and impressions is what matters. Have you ever read Jack Gilbert's A Brief for the Defense? Here's a bit from it:
We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure,
but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have
the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless
furnace of this world. To make injustice the only
measure of our attention is to praise the Devil.
If the locomotive of the Lord runs us down,
we should give thanks that the end had magnitude.
We must admit there will be music despite everything.
Welcome! I’m glad what I wrote resonates. Thank you so much for sharing that quote, I love it. I will have to look up that author.
It does feel like our joy can be a form of resistance.
Adding a link here in case others want to read the whole thing: https://poetrysociety.org/poems/a-brief-for-the-defense
Absolutely! Joy can.