Finding Light

November 16, 2024 /

Back when Maya was little, she was a big fan of the singer Jewel. She was a toddler, and would carry pictures of Jewel that we printed from our computer around. She loved her songs, and thought everyone with long blonde hair was Jewel (at the time I had short hair, so no, I did not have Jewel hair.)

One of my very favorite Jewel songs is Hands, which gave me support through September 11th, and the many times I have felt helpless since then. I’ve been so angry since the election, and have felt myself pulled toward despair. I am angry and bitter, and I do not want to live this way.

Ted says we must lead by example, and hopes that California’s policies will be a beacon of sort as Trump’s policies take hold and fail. Tobia has a list for coping with this changing world. Allison is looking for ways to avoid the dark that sucks you in. Sarah says she will cultivate joy as resistance, not a passive joy, but an active one. This, all of it, is what I am seeking.

I’m not religious, but the message in Jewel’s song is powerful and helps me when I feel hopeless.

Hands ~ Jewel

If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we’re all OK
And not to worry ’cause worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these

I won’t be made useless
I won’t be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear

My hands are small, I know
But they re not yours, they are my own
But they’re not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken

Poverty stole your golden shoes
It didn’t steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn’t ever after

We’ll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what’s right
‘Cause where there’s a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing

My hands are small I know
But they’re not yours, they are my own
But they’re not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken

In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters

I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray

My hands are small I know
But they’re not yours, they are my own
But they’re not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken

My hands are small I know
But they’re not yours, they are my own
But they’re not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
We are never broken

We are Gods eyes
Gods hands
Gods mind
We are Gods eyes
God’s heart
We are God’s eyes
God’s hands
God’s eyes
We are God’s hands

35 Comments

  • Ally Bean

    November 16, 2024 at 5:35 am

    Active joy! YES, bring it on. BUT that doesn’t preclude righteous anger when appropriate. I shall lead, to use Ted’s phrase, balancing both in my life.

    • J

      November 16, 2024 at 6:15 pm

      Absolutely, we need to be strong and angry when that is what is right, but if they can force us to give up, then they win.

  • nance

    November 16, 2024 at 5:59 am

    This is all true, of course, and I know it intellectually. I *am* focusing on the things in my life that are good and positive. There are many. And, like you, I don’t want to feel the way I do and allow it to swamp me. Living in Ohio is a lonely trial, especially these days with no sun. Sigh.

    • J

      November 16, 2024 at 6:17 pm

      It’s hard, right? There is so much to be angry and frustrated about. But I don’t want them to control me in this way. I don’t want to put my head in the sand either. It’s a delicate balance. That’s what I like about this song. She says worry is wasteful, but also, we must fight. It’s a good combination.

  • Kyria @ Travel Spot

    November 16, 2024 at 6:29 am

    Jewel! What a flashback. I used to listen to her back in the day along with Fiona Apple. In fact, I think that one of my college friends had a huge crush on her. I just Googled her; I did not realize she was 50. I guess life keeps moving along, doesn’t it? Also, I guess I am catching up to her! That is a good song.

  • Suzanne

    November 16, 2024 at 6:43 am

    This is a lovely post, and I love that you’ve gathered some of our blog community’s acts of light in one place.

    Probably the endless scrolling of social media and news outlets is not the smartest choice on my part…

    • J

      November 16, 2024 at 6:19 pm

      I’ve gotten to where I can look at the news first thing in the morning, but not so much after that. I remember feeling that way during Trump’s first term, and I hate that it’s coming back. Ugh.

  • Ernie

    November 16, 2024 at 7:09 am

    I’m laughing at toddler Maya carrying around a computer print out of Jewel. Hilarious. I’m not really familiar with her music (this will shock no one as I’m the type who has heard of singers and songs, but struggle to put together who sings what . . . maybe I’m missing a chip?). The lyrics of this song are beautiful and seem really appropriate right now. I appreicate all of these bloggers and their varioius coping strategies. Great approahces to the current vibe.

  • Margaret

    November 16, 2024 at 8:52 am

    I like Ted’s attitude. I’m not angry, just hopeless and disappointed. I’m hoping to rally or that some positives will transpire. (but I’m not holding my breath)

    • J

      November 16, 2024 at 6:21 pm

      Hopeless and disappointed is right. That’s how I feel about the situation. Angry is about the voters who did this to us.

  • Maya

    November 16, 2024 at 9:09 am

    Hope is so important, Jules. Once they’ve extinguished hope, they can do whatever they want… So I’m glad you’re keeping your beacon going. <3

    I think your Maya (who is half my age) and I may have discovered Jewel at the same time. I did not carry her printout around, but I did carry around "You Were Meant For Me" in my head and the song still pops into my head when I get into my PJs because of "And take a deep breath and a good look around
    Put on my PJs and hop into bed" lol. I think she's a wonderful lyricist and poet.

    And seeing the lyrics to "Hands" set the song playing in my head… (Looked it up, and yup–the song came out in 1998, the year after I came to the US.)

    • J

      November 16, 2024 at 6:23 pm

      I think that was my Maya’s favorite song. I remember her little toddler voice singing, “I’ve got my eggs I’ve got my pancakes too…”

      I’m trying with the beacon, thank you for the vote of confidence.

  • Alexandra

    November 16, 2024 at 9:10 am

    That is so beautiful. I’m going to copy it and print it out and keep it beside my computer, or paste it into my journal. Such uplifting words. And I love the idea of “Active Joy” as a means of resistance to the rise in hate everywhere. All we have to remember is, this too shall pass …

  • Jenny

    November 16, 2024 at 2:14 pm

    Thank you for this. We’re all trying to figure out how to cope. How do we move forward when everything seems so hopeless? I love all the ways people are trying, and the fact that we ARE trying. I don’t see the way right now, but it makes me hopeful that there will be a way… eventually.

  • Stephany

    November 17, 2024 at 6:58 pm

    Hope is hard right now, but I’m trying. Mostly I’m just angry and scared. I do hope our blue states can lead the way in helping us through this.

  • San

    November 19, 2024 at 6:25 pm

    Ugh, I feel you, Julie. I am enraged and angry, too and I know that is not a sustainable way to be for the next four years, so I think it’s wise to find coping mechanism that let us live in this world and do good/push for progress in the process. Thanks for sharing this song.

  • Anne

    November 29, 2024 at 3:47 pm

    I am right there with you. Still. I am angry, terrified, feeling hopeless, and cannot even imagine how horrible the next four + (Because let’s be honest – there was one attempted coup, there will be another) years will be.
    Hugs to you, my friend.