Joy, my wife, and I have been talking a lot about this: times are changing, possibly very fast now. I think that you may get a lot of resistance to the film at this time, but that will change in time. There will be some even now who will learn and benifit, and more as time goes on. But there will always be those, no matter how bad things get, who will maintain denial and who are likely to attack you personally for exposing the truth.

I’ve had a lot experience with this sort of thing over the years, being a long time Peace and Justice advocate. A lot of people - a lot - aren’t going to want to “feel” anything, and a lot aren’t going to want to think about it either. Most of all, they aren’t going to want to take any responsibility for anything. BUT, the film can do a lot of good. As I said, as time passes I think it will become more important.

I think there’s a line at the end of the film, on the beach, when you talk about choosing the path of integrity. Well, that’s it. You know, you’ve already chosen it. It really will take some courage, but what else can you do but stay on the path?

I can tell you though, in having put myself out there time and time again on various issues: you will get a tougher hide. They may attack you personally, they will misquote you, they will defame you at times. You’ll take a lot of cuts, but it’ll toughen you up - probably faster than you think. That’s just part of it. At least that’s been my experience.

So, I don’t know if any of this helps. I don’t mean to be presumptuous either. Take it for what its worth. b

The hide is toughening already. More and more, I get clear that people’s reactions have little to do with me, that they are nothing to take personally. It’s a process, and writing about it helps, so I write.

Thanks, Bob. Your comments DO help.

As Daniel Quinn says, we don’t need new programs, we need a new vision. That vision will come from visionaries who are willing to look at the big picture, and let go of the banks and go with the river….thanks for doing your bit to kick start the process for those who recognise it’s critical importance.

Remember, follow the synchronicity with integrity. That’s what you’ve been doing…..all there is to do now is keep going….what a way to go, huh?

There’s a growing bunch of us willing to come stand with you here, and show up and speak our truth in support of you and Sally.

All the best for the tour. Kia kaha!

Best Regards
Ted

I feel a good movie will draw outsiders in and not just comfort and bolster the ones already within the “circle of trust”.

Correct our invaluable resources are quickly diminishing so lets please not further waste them.

Sincerely,

John

As a former North Carolinian, now on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, trying to convince some people that there is a train a-coming and we should not be farting around on the tracks, but making some plans to get out of the way, I extend warm greetings and plan to be a regular visitor.

Best regards to you and your readers (and Todd)

Back from tour. Going to take a minute and answer some comments!

Bob - Again, thanks for your kind words and encouragement. Over and over, in the circles we convened after our screenings, we heard expressions of relief, such as you shared. Relief to finally be speaking of the situation out loud and with members of our communities. Relief to find out that we are neither alone nor crazy. Relief to find that we can look squarely at these things and not be undone by them.

There was little by way of attack, at least face to face. I guess those who don’t like the film just go home and blog about it! But there was enough to thicken my hide, as you point out. The tour was a real training ground for us. Good training for the times to come. I am glad to have done it, as exhausting and unsettling as it sometimes was.

Ted - Thanks, as always. We’re just keepin on keepin on, getting ready for the next tour, for which we leave in less than a month. Who knows? We may swing up to NZ and Australia one day. There has certainly been a great deal of interest from up your way. I would love to stand at your side.

Rich - I love the metaphors, sir. A few people mentioned Blessed Unrest, Paul Hawken’s latest, and I’ll look for a used copy soon. It’s a good thing to remember: human culture and consciousness also come with tipping points and feedback loops!

John - I wish we had a few days to sit together in circle and dialogue, so that I could hear your wisdom, and you could hear mine, and together, we could both grow wiser still.

Shelton - In Maryland now, eh? We just screened in Baltimore. Sorry the word didn’t get to you. I hope you like the film. Glad to have you here. Todd says “hey”.