Have you seen the Amazon Prime film The Glorias yet? If not, it’s something I recommend you add to your queue. Is Julie Taymor’s direction making the storytelling a bit artsy and avant-garde? Probably. But the actors, the screenplay, and the historical accuracy more than make up for it.
I’ve had the honor of cooking and serving events for Gloria since 2008. Of all the awesome parts of my life, this has been one of the most meaningful. I gobble up all of the Gloria content out there. I loved the Netflix series Mrs. America that uncannily recreated her NYC apartment. I’ve loved the plays, documentaries, and books shining light on her important history in the Feminist Movement. This film includes an unexpected stamp of approval from Gloria that makes it really special.
In 2017 Gloria delivered a speech at the Women’s March On Washington. It was right after the 2016 election. She spoke about President Trump and his election to the top post in the country.
“He said he was for the people … I have met the people and you are not them,” she said. “This is the upside of the downside. This is an outpouring of energy and true democracy that I have never seen in my very long life. It is wide in age, it is deep in diversity and remember the constitution does not begin with ‘I the president’ it begins with ‘we the people.”
The ‘upside of the downside’ really jumped out at me. I live my life seeking out that exact thing — the best parts of the notsogood things in the world. It’s not always easy, but it is always worth it to find the silver lining or glimmer of hope.
There is so much energy swirling around this upcoming election. From my experience, it’s mostly negative. Obviously, this chapter in political history will forever be bookmarked by the corona virus pandemic and the staggering number of lives lost. It seems like there is no upside to that particularly horrific downside.
What to do, what to do, what to do?
What do you do when you’re on the downside looking for an upside? I think instead of an UPside to the downside, there is also an OTHER side. The first stop on the road map to the other side of the downside is to give yourself grace. Acknowledge that you’re doing the best you can. And if you also acknowledge that for whatever reason you’re not doing the best you can, forgive yourself and then try again! There is no formula or solution except to wake up every day and try to make the world a better place.
Was there an upside/other to this downside for you? Maybe you accomplished something great during this time. (Let me know in the comments so I can cheer you on!) Did you listen to your children or spouse or parents more? Did you savor time to read and cook? Did you go on an out-of-the-way adventure in an unpopulated area?
From my friend Ericka (whose precious family is captured in these photos) reflecting on the last year with her young son Beckett: “The widest silver lining in this time is that I really got to listen to you. And sit with you. I got to talk to you and observe all the little nuggets of your insightful and funny and open mind.” What a gift! I’m sure in months and months of crappy things, you have beautiful realizations like this too.
Looking at Ericka’s photos of her family, I’m reminded of the recent summer months — as adults I feel like we experienced a different kind of home schooling. Social Studies. Civics. Science. Those were the courses. The circumstances were upside down but the lessons learned are exactly what’s going to set the world right. We taught our children to stand up for what they believe in. We encouraged them to raise their voices for those who were being silenced. We reminded ourselves that we need to look after our neighbor and do what’s right to keep everyone safe.
As we are weeks away from the election, we need to remember the outpouring of energy in 2016. Maybe things turned out the way you wanted. Maybe they didn’t and you are hoping to bring about change. I think Ms. Steinem’s quote bears repeating.
“He said he was for the people … I have met the people and you are not them,” she said. “This is the upside of the downside. This is an outpouring of energy and true democracy that I have never seen in my very long life. It is wide in age, it is deep in diversity and remember the constitution does not begin with ‘I the president’ it begins with ‘we the people.”
I have an upside/downside idea for your kitchen too! In March and April did you find yourself impulsively stocking up on canned beans? I have a recipe to give you back your cabinet space and use up those beans that most likely went unused. Bean salad! There is zero cookery needed. It is so light and refreshing to eat cold out of the fridge, but still hearty and filling. Chop up some veggies, rinse the goo off your beans, and toss with your favorite olive oil and vinegar.
I used Pomora Rosemary Olive Oil and Lambrusco Vinegar to elevate these simple beans. They are a match made in culinary heaven. I love that I have a variety of flavorful pure oils from my olive oil subscription that make everything that comes out of my kitchen taste like it’s decadent and fancy. Click the link above and find out about adopting a tree and to start receiving these special oils.
Bean Salad
4 Cans of Beans - I love the variety of sizes and textures so I used white kidney bean, black bean, garbanzo bean, and pinto bean But if you have 4 cans of only one kind, go for it!
4 Tablespoons Lambrusco Vinegar
4 Tablespoons Pomora Rosemary Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon chopped rosemary
1 cup diced carrot
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced celery
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
After you’ve drained and rinsed the beans, combine everything in a large bowl. Taste for seasoning and add what you need. Let it marinate in the fridge for about 30 minutes and then dig in.
