War is not the answer. This is a rallying cry for Quakers, who are part of a historic peace church. While many Quakers are pacifists, not all are. It's not a requirement. But it is one of our central testimonies to the world. We should always strive to create the conditions for peace and remove the impetus for war.
Below is a recording from FCNL, a Quaker lobbying group, on the crisis in Israel and Palestine.
"On Oct. 25, we gathered as a community in grief and action. Watch the recording for insights into what is happening in Israel-Palestine, the response from U.S. lawmakers, and what we can do as advocates to respond."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfpZtktPnvM
#Quaker
"On Oct. 25 at 6:30 p.m. EDT, we will gather as a community in grief and action. Join experts from the Friends Committee on National Legislation and American Friends Service Committee for insights into what is happening in Israel-Palestine, the response from U.S. lawmakers, and what we can do as advocates to respond."
https://www.fcnl.org/events/calling-ceasefire-israel-palestine-briefing
#Quaker
All around town, young squirrels are busy eating walnuts, chestnuts, and acorns. Then there is the murder of crows gathering loudly on Locust Street.
Bayard Rustin (1912–1987) was a visionary civil rights activist, strategist, and key adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. An openly gay man and #Quaker, Rustin was instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Despite facing prejudice for his sexuality and beliefs, he remained steadfast in his commitment to nonviolent protest and justice, leaving an indelible mark on the American civil rights movement.
https://www.quakersintheworld.org/quakers-in-action/160/Bayard-Rustin
Some wonderful quotes from Bayard Rustin, the #Quaker civil rights leader.
"We are all one and if we don't know, we will learn it the hard way."
“To be afraid is to behave as if the truth were not true.”
"I believe in social dislocation and creative trouble."
"People will never fight for your freedom if you have not given evidence that you are prepared to fight for it yourself."
"You have to join every other movement for the freedom of people.""You have to join every other movement for the freedom of people."
"God does not require us to achieve any of the good tasks that humanity
must pursue. What God requires of us is that we not stop trying."
Bayard Rustin (1912–1987) was a visionary civil rights activist, strategist, and key adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. An openly gay man and #Quaker, Rustin was instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Despite facing prejudice for his sexuality and beliefs, he remained steadfast in his commitment to nonviolent protest and justice, leaving an indelible mark on the American civil rights movement.
https://www.quakersintheworld.org/quakers-in-action/160/Bayard-Rustin
#Quaker

"To turn all we possess into the channel of universal love becomes the business of our lives." ~ John Woolman, #Quaker
We're called to look beyond our own interests and be a force for good. True wealth comes from lifting up those around us. True freedom obliges us to care.
Bayard Rustin (1912–1987) was a visionary civil rights activist, strategist, and key adviser to Martin Luther King Jr. An openly gay man and #Quaker, Rustin was instrumental in organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Despite facing prejudice for his sexuality and beliefs, he remained steadfast in his commitment to nonviolent protest and justice, leaving an indelible mark on the American civil rights movement.
https://www.quakersintheworld.org/quakers-in-action/160/Bayard-Rustin
Another note on Jack Powelson... He died January 1, 2009, mere days before Bitcoin launched. I wonder what he would have made of all that's come after him.
In an moment of synchronicity, I picked up this book from my Meeting's library assuming it had a modern liberal perspective. I was pleasantly surprised to find classically liberal views blending progressive and libertarian ideas grounded in Quaker testimonies. Jack Powelson also wrote a blog called The Quaker Economist... a treasure trove for me to explore this winter.
From John P. Powelson, a #Quaker economist, and his short book "Seeking Truth Together: Enabling the Poor and Saving the Planet in the Manner of Friends".

i breathed in all my opinions
and told you how imperfect you were
you breathed in all the world
and created me
Consider, I may be wrong. Consider, you may be wrong.
I normally need to let my head clear out so I can see/feel the priorities. Unfortunately, that normally means eliminating the major time sucks on the internet: social media, news, and videos ... in that order.
We used to receive raw milk from a local farmer. It was the best. Unfortunately, we gave it up because the rest of my family had dairy allergies and it felt like a bit much of a luxury for just me. But, man, did I love it.
I wish I lived near the ocean. Whenever I go to the beach for a week or two, you'll find me in the water or playing with the kids in the sand. I don't join the others shopping. I don't sit in a chair and read a book. I'm in the water for hours at a time, only coming out to drink some water and rest a couple minutes before going back in. When I'm done with that, I eat a big meal, take a nap, and then read.
gm, nostr

It's a significant time investment I usually only make for people I see regularly. I've had to start from square one, building up understandings gradually. If someone believes Twinkies are health food, they may be miles from even getting to the starting line. Plus everyone's entry point is different - for me it was human rights, sparked by an Andreas Antonopoulos interview in 2016. For one person, it could be finally grasping inflation. For another person, it's freedom.
I ran a Bitcoin meetup for about 5 years. Every now and then a guy would show up just wanting to debate. I learned not to bother.
I recently finished “There Is No God and He Is Always with You”. He cleared up so much confusion I'd been carrying for decades. It also improved my experience of meditating by connecting it to something larger than me ... but not in a new agey way. I can't overstate how much I appreciate his pragmatism.
💯 I'm glad you're making this connection with ADHD. I was diagnosed as an adult, finally understanding so much about my childhood and adulthood struggles. I'd already given up alcohol since even two beers caused a depressive hangover lasting days. Nicotine I quit 20 years prior. About 6 months ago, I noticed coffee was making me feel worse immediately after drinking it - a pattern I'd experienced many times over the years. A while back, I went caffeine-free for a few months months and felt great. So I quit again. I definitely think more clearly, sleep better, and have steadier energy all day.
Eliminating most sugar also had a huge impact. I used to struggle with low blood sugar. A high-carb, high-sugar diet caused my estrogen to spike 8x normal and testosterone to drop to half-normal. As a guy, I was moody and short-fused. Switching to a high protein/fat and low carb/sugar diet was life-changing - it saved my marriage and made me a much better person to be around.