Weeknotes: on silver linings and mental tiredness

1. What actions did I undertake?

It’s been a heavy two weeks. And I’ve lost momentum. Nevertheless I would like to thank @Pieter Wieërs of Sant’Egidio en @Dimitri Vandezande from Vluchtelingenwerk Vlaanderen for helping put me in touch with refugees for my upcoming article(s).

2. What insights did I gain?

I have become very emotional about world events and watching or reading the news is impacting me ever more strongly. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still as convinced as ever that shining a light on the truth and exposing stories from a humanistic angle is one of the strongest antidotes to a rotting society. However, the lack of tangible and immediate results, the necessary self-discipline and the ensuing isolation that come with writing sometimes weigh heavy and this week particularly so. Good thing some time out in nature can cure everyting! Thanks @Jo Koni and Forest Fun in Belgium for the excellent getaway tips!

3. What events in my area of interest impacted me the most?

The list would be particularly long this week. For fear of sounding like it’s all just gloom and doom I’ve chosen to showcase only one bad news and counter it with the one good of the week.

I would have to say that the Polish abortion ban scores top of the pop this week. 98% of current abortions in Poland happen because of fetal deformities. And now they go and criminalize exactly those abortions. How is this helping anyone? Pro-life? Pro lifelong suffering more like it. Can the massive manifestations still turn the tide? Hope so!

On to happy news! Apparently the pope is embracing same sex unions. Apparently is the key word though. But don’t get carried away too fast, this doesn’t mean church marriages quite yet. And the word is out on the street that the Vatican is doing all it can to keep this statement as low profile as possible. Still, in a week filled with sad news, this has to be the silver lining.

Otherwise, I am counting down to next Tuesday. The date is branded into my every move at the moment. When hate, discrimination, arrogance and lies have become commonplace in the top echelons of the system, they inevitably trickle down and get imbedded into the rest of society. Make place Mr. Trump, it really is time for you to go.