Get with it!
Hello everyone,
I must admit I have been purposely forcing myself not to write. I have been in a “funk.” As someone who reads heavily and obsessively loves to research, I decided to stop. Instead of working on research and writing during my evenings, I greedily binged watched episode after episode of Supernatural in my candle-lit bedroom. Ironic, right? I purposely put away my handy dandy laptop on a shelf under my desk and pretended it did not exist. I tuned out the noise and decided it was much easier to watch Supernatural. Let’s have Dean and Sam figure out how to save the world from evil monsters.
Yes, I realize I am rambling, but you see I am exhausted. I am, probably, like many of you are overwhelmed by all the never-ending news of doom and gloom. So, instead of writing these past few weeks, I found myself channeling Maggie Joy Blunt.
Let’s go back in time to England in the years 1940 and 1941. Mass Observation or otherwise known as M-O was in full force. “Observers” which could include journalists, writers and sometimes just very observant individuals would document everyday people’s feelings, behaviors and morale during and after German bombings, particularly the Blitz. Maggie Joy Blunt was one of those observers. She traveled to various bomb shelters and other public places to interview and document how the everyday British were feeling. She then provided her writing to the British government. “Raids on London every night. Homes destroyed, death to hundreds. The city in flames.” She followed this with a note of resolve:
“There is something in the Britisher when his life, his heritage or whatever is threatened which refuses to be beaten, or perhaps it’s the refusal to accept the idea of defeat.”
Here was another observer comment from November 1940.
"Moonlight Sonata"
“There were more open signs of hysteria, terror, neurosis observed in one evening than during the whole past two months together in all areas. Women were seen to cry, scream, to tremble all over, to faint in the street, to attack firemen. The overwhelming dominant feeling on Friday was the feeling of utter helplessness.”
This work was extremely important because it tracked civilian morale, but it also provided the British government a ground view of how everyday people were handling death destruction and living through horrible circumstances.
Today in 2026, I followed Maggie Blunt’s example, and I read emails from various readers around the world and captured quotes. I corresponded with a wide range of individuals within the last few weeks. Quotes were also gathered from book publishing parties full of artists and writers to military lectures on war and resilience, the audience full of military veterans. In a small way, I suppose I too was being an “observer” and wanted to see if diverse groups of individuals were feeling the same way I was. Below are some samples. I will let you decide.
May 2026
“My worries are older than my age.”
22 years old male Gaza
May 2026
“Our freedoms are being taken away. I want to make a difference but how?”
Vietnam Veteran male (Call sign Dalbert) Colorado
April 2026
“I don’t care. I don’t want to think about it. I don’t want to feel it”
48-year-old male Colorado
April 2026
“I think the hardest part of the political climate right now is realizing how many people are evil. Not stupid. Not misinformed. Just blatantly enjoying and relishing in the sufferings of other human beings.”
Ramos 25 years old male
May 2026
“It’s time to get out of the matrix. Wake up people!”
Children’s book writer Female
May 2026
“There is hope! Get with it!”
WWII Military veteran male (Army)
April 2026
“We are tired and tired of our sacred space being invaded and abused by several different companies” “Sacred ground not mining ground”
Lakota Tribe member Teen girl
March 2026
“Everything is destroyed around in ruins. In the background, new billboards state RESISTANCE IS TERRORISM.”
Sla Mavka -Female Occupied zone of Ukraine
In closing out this blog, it does seem easier to just focus on watching Supernatural and live in my very comfy candlelit room. It feels comfortable and safe. I don’t want to think about everyone’s feelings. It’s too much and overwhelming. Nevertheless, as difficult as it may be, it is no excuse not to have empathy for others and want a better world for all. As one incredible wise and distinguished 101-year gentleman veteran told me. “Everyone has a part to play in this new brave new world. It’s time to use your gifts for good and make a difference. Get with it!”