June 28, 2022 — Oh to zen out like Linus. Contributing Cardie Jenni Betz sent us his pic back in April saying, “I don’t know if it lends itself to a card, but I think there’s something really peaceful about him here.”
We loved his serene vibe, and then the message came to me as I walked out of Cardie Yoga one day. Each time I enter Paola’s class, I know it will be only a matter of minutes before her breathing exercises and gentle stretches lead us to a place where peace arrives and embraces us. Featuring Linus in this Cardie Newsletter today just felt right, given the big litter of issues seemingly clawing at the hearts of so many people.
I find anger to be the most uncomfortable emotion to honor. Being very zen at heart, I wish to acknowledge then transform it — in myself and others — as quickly and painlessly as possible and not let it fester. So given the state of our nation, I went in search of articles on transforming anger into action and found a decades-old yet very timely and interesting discussion with David Pilgrim of Ferris State University. Dr. Pilgrim has devoted his career to teaching tolerance, “getting people to talk in meaningful ways and, then, to go and do something positive.
“Funneling anger is risky business,” he cautioned. “Anger is a powerful fuel and one could certainly argue that much social change has resulted, in no small part, because of angry voices. However, in my half century of living, I have seen idealistic passion devolve into seething anger, or worse, thick hatred.
“Believe that change is possible,” Dr. Pilgrim advised, “and let social justice be your fuel. Direct your anger against systems and patterns of injustice, not against individuals. That is hard, I know,” he acknowledged. “Whenever possible, try to replace anger with focused passion and a zeal to address the injustice. And, finally, as much as is possible within you, avoid the anger that simmers, paralyzes, and morphs into hatred.”
The great civil rights leader Mahatma Ghandi also used the anger-as-fuel metaphor. “It is an energy that compels us to define what is just and unjust,” he is quoted as saying in a book titled The Gift of Anger written by his grandson, Arun Ghandi. “Anger to people is like gas to the automobile — it fuels you to move forward and get to a better place. Without it, we would not be motivated to rise to a challenge.”
Widely thought to have been a calm and composed personality, the Mahatma (meaning ‘great-souled’) had not been born even-tempered. “But he didn’t like the person he was becoming,” writes grandson Arun, “so he began to mold himself into the even-tempered, well-controlled person he wanted to be.” But how can anger be a positive force and why had no one ever seen the great leader angry? Arun asked his world-renowned grandfather and was told, “Because I learned to use my anger for good.”
We’re proud to know many Cardies in Action who seem to have learned that lesson well. Collectively, they’ve peaceably sent nearly 40,000 of our free Please Listen and Act Now postcards to lawmakers nationwide. This advocacy tool was inspired by Contributing Cardie Gloria Dougherty, who has labored long and hard for effective gun legislation. Contributing Cardie Nancy McGinn used the free postcards to help save green space in her city. June Cunningham has been using them to save her beloved Cuyahoga Valley National Park. And just last week, Roxann Hassett inspired us to create a new and free VOTE postcard for use in her voter registration efforts. Coming soon.
Cardie Ann Wilkening just might have had some of these peace-loving activists in mind when she emailed us yesterday, “I’ve set a goal of gifting 100 Never Underestimate the Difference You Make. I went back through my orders and I think I’m at 75. If my Fairy Cardmother would have someone verify my count, I would appreciate it,” she said. As if peace had arrived and embraced her, Ann added, “For every one I’ve given, I’ve received gratefulness. 💕”
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
June 28, 2022 — Oh to zen out like Linus. Contributing Cardie Jenni Betz sent us his pic back in April saying, “I don’t know if it lends itself to a card, but I think there’s something really peaceful about him here.”
We loved his serene vibe, and then the message came to me as I walked out of Cardie Yoga one day. Each time I enter Paola’s class, I know it will be only a matter of minutes before her breathing exercises and gentle stretches lead us to a place where peace arrives and embraces us. Featuring Linus in this Cardie Newsletter today just felt right, given the big litter of issues seemingly clawing at the hearts of so many people.
I find anger to be the most uncomfortable emotion to honor. Being very zen at heart, I wish to acknowledge then transform it — in myself and others — as quickly and painlessly as possible and not let it fester. So given the state of our nation, I went in search of articles on transforming anger into action and found a decades-old yet very timely and interesting discussion with David Pilgrim of Ferris State University. Dr. Pilgrim has devoted his career to teaching tolerance, “getting people to talk in meaningful ways and, then, to go and do something positive.
“Funneling anger is risky business,” he cautioned. “Anger is a powerful fuel and one could certainly argue that much social change has resulted, in no small part, because of angry voices. However, in my half century of living, I have seen idealistic passion devolve into seething anger, or worse, thick hatred.
“Believe that change is possible,” Dr. Pilgrim advised, “and let social justice be your fuel. Direct your anger against systems and patterns of injustice, not against individuals. That is hard, I know,” he acknowledged. “Whenever possible, try to replace anger with focused passion and a zeal to address the injustice. And, finally, as much as is possible within you, avoid the anger that simmers, paralyzes, and morphs into hatred.”
The great civil rights leader Mahatma Ghandi also used the anger-as-fuel metaphor. “It is an energy that compels us to define what is just and unjust,” he is quoted as saying in a book titled The Gift of Anger written by his grandson, Arun Ghandi. “Anger to people is like gas to the automobile — it fuels you to move forward and get to a better place. Without it, we would not be motivated to rise to a challenge.”
Widely thought to have been a calm and composed personality, the Mahatma (meaning ‘great-souled’) had not been born even-tempered. “But he didn’t like the person he was becoming,” writes grandson Arun, “so he began to mold himself into the even-tempered, well-controlled person he wanted to be.” But how can anger be a positive force and why had no one ever seen the great leader angry? Arun asked his world-renowned grandfather and was told, “Because I learned to use my anger for good.”
We’re proud to know many Cardies in Action who seem to have learned that lesson well. Collectively, they’ve peaceably sent nearly 40,000 of our free Please Listen and Act Now postcards to lawmakers nationwide. This advocacy tool was inspired by Contributing Cardie Gloria Dougherty, who has labored long and hard for effective gun legislation. Contributing Cardie Nancy McGinn used the free postcards to help save green space in her city. June Cunningham has been using them to save her beloved Cuyahoga Valley National Park. And just last week, Roxann Hassett inspired us to create a new and free VOTE postcard for use in her voter registration efforts. Coming soon.
Cardie Ann Wilkening just might have had some of these peace-loving activists in mind when she emailed us yesterday, “I’ve set a goal of gifting 100 Never Underestimate the Difference You Make. I went back through my orders and I think I’m at 75. If my Fairy Cardmother would have someone verify my count, I would appreciate it,” she said. As if peace had arrived and embraced her, Ann added, “For every one I’ve given, I’ve received gratefulness. 💕”
Jodee Stevens
Founder & Chief Creative
Jodee you continue to astonish me with the purposeful life you lead. You lead by example and I feel blessed just to follow. Thank you so much.
I know your post cards made a big difference in our fight to save green space in Donovan Park as the trustees mentioned them and held them up and said things like “These post cards inundated our mailboxes for days. There is no way we could of ignored your messages.”
Along with so many other accomplishments you can add ‘helped to save green space in Peoria, IL’ to your list.
Thank you, Jodee for your many acts of generosity.