I look forward to your “pep talks” Jack! They keep the fire of resistance, determination to stand strong burning in me, because the constant barrage of depressing news keeps coming, and you’re right, it is wearing! My husband and I are preparing as best we can for what is coming, finding joy in our garden, our family friends, our daily routine…this keeps us grounded and determined!! Thank you!!!
You and your husband are doing exactly what strong people do in difficult times: prepare where you can...stay grounded in the things that matter...and keep moving forward. The garden, your routines...time with family and friends...those are not small things. That’s where real stability lives.
You’re right about the barrage of news. It can wear anyone down. That’s exactly why it’s important to keep that internal fire burning...not with panic, but with steady determination.
I’m really glad you’re here and walking through this moment with the rest of us.
Keep tending the garden...literally AND figuratively.
Me too Christie! I am grateful for Jack and his insights, sometimes several times a day. He has taught me so much about myself I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
Each of you, I share that gratitude we have for Jack, his kind coaching and sharing of wisdom, examples, and tips.
Although we gain valuable news and information from many good people, Jack’s ideas do replay in our minds and oral repetitions. They are wise and practical. No matter how old we grow, at least in my situation, we are always learning and thankful to be! The encouragement and approaches suggested are of such great value as well as being needed!
Seeing wise comments from each of you on here reinforces Jack’s encouraging statement that we are not alone! Thank you each! Thanks to Jack for making it possible!
Thank you for this, just what needs to be heard. Every thing written is true and inspiring. You’re right about people are stronger than they might perceive at times!
Jack is right that humans are hard to break. History confirms it. And the ten reasons he lays out are not motivational fluff — they are documented patterns. People survive things far worse than this. Movements are born in crises. The stubborn shape the future. These are not comfortable fictions. They are the record.
But history also shows something his list gestures toward without fully naming: the people who made it through the worst moments he cites — the wars, the depressions, the dictatorships — didn’t just wait for the storm to pass. They survived because enough people fought to protect what mattered around them before it was gone. Resilience without that piece is still valuable. It’s just incomplete.
His strongest point is number ten, and honestly it could be the whole argument. History belongs to the stubborn. The people who kept showing up, kept building, kept helping even when they were bone tired — they are the reason any of the other nine points are true at all.
The only thing I’d add to Jack’s framework is this: still standing is a beginning, not a destination. The question that follows — still standing for what, still moving toward what — is the one that turns survival into something that actually matters.
But he’s right about the most important thing. You’re still here. That counts for more than people give themselves credit for right now.
HKJANE, you might laugh at this admission of a first thought .
As an anticipating reader, when I read that you pointed out your consideration of Jack’s strongest number, “Number 10” confused me. The reason is why you might laugh. Having grown up loving writing, reading, and sharing of ideas, I fully expected to read a Number 2, referring to a nice big yellow pencil, with a sharp point, because Jack writes his ideas down for us! It only took a second before the reality hit, the reality that most people don’t start with a pencil these days, a yellow pencil or any pencil, unless they are notes for reference while writing.
Still, no matter how old we get to be, pencils, pens, stationery, even paper sacks and scrap paper to write on, still hold value and sentiment regarding the sharing of ideas. Of course, I am glad not to be reading these wonderful messages from having been written in pencil, but if that was the latest invention, or what was available, I would be thrilled to be reading them.
No laughing here — I understand exactly what you mean. If the pace of this world allowed for it, a fountain pen would be my first choice every time. There’s a permanence to handwriting that typing simply doesn’t carry. And you’ve touched on something true: those small physical reminders of how we used to communicate have a way of unlocking memories that nothing digital can quite reach. The pencil, the stationery, the weight of a sealed envelope — they meant something. They still do.
I find it helpful to remember that most of human history has been lived under bad leaders. People loved, lived, raised families, loved their friends, created art and music and theater, and made discoveries about the universe and the earth and the human body despite bad leaders. They do terrible things and make some lives unlivable, but the human race somehow soldiers on.
I have felt overwhelmed with what needs to be done around me, personal as well as country wide. I have truly wondered if I was strong enough to keep going alone. Damn it. I am. But I am not truly alone. Neighbors have been wonderful and casual acquaintances have turned into friends.
Thank you Jack for another great article. Everything that I’ve been through in my life has made me resilient, stronger, & wiser. I’m sure my determination to get through these events helps. I believe we will come out stronger when this clusterf*ck ends. 🩷
You are so right about the best in people coming out during the worst of times. I think about my parents, surviving the Great Depression, World War II, the fight for Civil Rights, all those challenges really made my parents extremely strong, a trait they tried to pass on to their daughters. I know for myself, I have managed to beat the odds stacked against me with cancer. They told me in September of 2023 that without treatment (assuming my tumor would respond to therapy) I had 3-6 months left. It forced a total rearrangement of my priorities instantly. The rare bladder cancer I have rarely has survival rates past 5 years, I am beating the odds with my immunotherapy, I’m determined to outlast this regime and see them pay the price for their crimes. It very motivating, not exactly what I envisioned, but I’ll take it anyway! Your article has a bottom line, holdfast indeed! Thank you Jack for helping me keep hope alive and well! #HOLDFAST
Thank you Jack.
You're welcome, Alexa Russell.
-Jack
I look forward to your “pep talks” Jack! They keep the fire of resistance, determination to stand strong burning in me, because the constant barrage of depressing news keeps coming, and you’re right, it is wearing! My husband and I are preparing as best we can for what is coming, finding joy in our garden, our family friends, our daily routine…this keeps us grounded and determined!! Thank you!!!
Christie...thank you. That means a lot.
You and your husband are doing exactly what strong people do in difficult times: prepare where you can...stay grounded in the things that matter...and keep moving forward. The garden, your routines...time with family and friends...those are not small things. That’s where real stability lives.
You’re right about the barrage of news. It can wear anyone down. That’s exactly why it’s important to keep that internal fire burning...not with panic, but with steady determination.
I’m really glad you’re here and walking through this moment with the rest of us.
Keep tending the garden...literally AND figuratively.
#HoldFast
-Jack
I am so grateful that YOU are here Jack!!!
Me too Christie! I am grateful for Jack and his insights, sometimes several times a day. He has taught me so much about myself I wouldn’t have known otherwise.
Each of you, I share that gratitude we have for Jack, his kind coaching and sharing of wisdom, examples, and tips.
Although we gain valuable news and information from many good people, Jack’s ideas do replay in our minds and oral repetitions. They are wise and practical. No matter how old we grow, at least in my situation, we are always learning and thankful to be! The encouragement and approaches suggested are of such great value as well as being needed!
Seeing wise comments from each of you on here reinforces Jack’s encouraging statement that we are not alone! Thank you each! Thanks to Jack for making it possible!
Ditto, Judy! Thanks Jack!!
Encouraging and true. Thx.
Most welcome, Eileen.
-Jack
Thank you for this, just what needs to be heard. Every thing written is true and inspiring. You’re right about people are stronger than they might perceive at times!
OK Jack, I feel better.
Wayne...I'm happy to hear that. I am.
-Jack
Thank you, we are stronger together and community helps to bolster us when we might falter! One step, one action at a time!
Jack is right that humans are hard to break. History confirms it. And the ten reasons he lays out are not motivational fluff — they are documented patterns. People survive things far worse than this. Movements are born in crises. The stubborn shape the future. These are not comfortable fictions. They are the record.
But history also shows something his list gestures toward without fully naming: the people who made it through the worst moments he cites — the wars, the depressions, the dictatorships — didn’t just wait for the storm to pass. They survived because enough people fought to protect what mattered around them before it was gone. Resilience without that piece is still valuable. It’s just incomplete.
His strongest point is number ten, and honestly it could be the whole argument. History belongs to the stubborn. The people who kept showing up, kept building, kept helping even when they were bone tired — they are the reason any of the other nine points are true at all.
The only thing I’d add to Jack’s framework is this: still standing is a beginning, not a destination. The question that follows — still standing for what, still moving toward what — is the one that turns survival into something that actually matters.
But he’s right about the most important thing. You’re still here. That counts for more than people give themselves credit for right now.
#HOLDFAST
HKJANE, you might laugh at this admission of a first thought .
As an anticipating reader, when I read that you pointed out your consideration of Jack’s strongest number, “Number 10” confused me. The reason is why you might laugh. Having grown up loving writing, reading, and sharing of ideas, I fully expected to read a Number 2, referring to a nice big yellow pencil, with a sharp point, because Jack writes his ideas down for us! It only took a second before the reality hit, the reality that most people don’t start with a pencil these days, a yellow pencil or any pencil, unless they are notes for reference while writing.
Still, no matter how old we get to be, pencils, pens, stationery, even paper sacks and scrap paper to write on, still hold value and sentiment regarding the sharing of ideas. Of course, I am glad not to be reading these wonderful messages from having been written in pencil, but if that was the latest invention, or what was available, I would be thrilled to be reading them.
# HOLDFAST!
No laughing here — I understand exactly what you mean. If the pace of this world allowed for it, a fountain pen would be my first choice every time. There’s a permanence to handwriting that typing simply doesn’t carry. And you’ve touched on something true: those small physical reminders of how we used to communicate have a way of unlocking memories that nothing digital can quite reach. The pencil, the stationery, the weight of a sealed envelope — they meant something. They still do.
Jack, you did it again. Numbers 3, 5 & 10 especially hit home to me. Thank you!
Love it Jack! ❤️
#StandFast 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you Jack! #HoldFast
I find it helpful to remember that most of human history has been lived under bad leaders. People loved, lived, raised families, loved their friends, created art and music and theater, and made discoveries about the universe and the earth and the human body despite bad leaders. They do terrible things and make some lives unlivable, but the human race somehow soldiers on.
Thanks, Jack.
With thanks.
I have felt overwhelmed with what needs to be done around me, personal as well as country wide. I have truly wondered if I was strong enough to keep going alone. Damn it. I am. But I am not truly alone. Neighbors have been wonderful and casual acquaintances have turned into friends.
And we will be there to pick up the pieces.
Sue
Thank you 💕 Jack
It HELPS.
It also helps to know I am one of your THOUSANDS of followers.
A group.
A group of people that are HOLDING ON.
# Hold fast
🗽🇺🇲🇺🇦
Thank you Jack for another great article. Everything that I’ve been through in my life has made me resilient, stronger, & wiser. I’m sure my determination to get through these events helps. I believe we will come out stronger when this clusterf*ck ends. 🩷
You are so right about the best in people coming out during the worst of times. I think about my parents, surviving the Great Depression, World War II, the fight for Civil Rights, all those challenges really made my parents extremely strong, a trait they tried to pass on to their daughters. I know for myself, I have managed to beat the odds stacked against me with cancer. They told me in September of 2023 that without treatment (assuming my tumor would respond to therapy) I had 3-6 months left. It forced a total rearrangement of my priorities instantly. The rare bladder cancer I have rarely has survival rates past 5 years, I am beating the odds with my immunotherapy, I’m determined to outlast this regime and see them pay the price for their crimes. It very motivating, not exactly what I envisioned, but I’ll take it anyway! Your article has a bottom line, holdfast indeed! Thank you Jack for helping me keep hope alive and well! #HOLDFAST