And hey, if we truly are what we do (character = behaviour), maybe what's needed to actually make this emblematic of the essential decency of humans is enough people saying "I choose to believe this is what most of us would do, and therefore I choose to approach strangers in that spirit, going forward."
i have always read your emails and yesterday just clicked “subscribe” here. both came to my inbox but i wanted to read the direct email version but when i finished realized if i flipped over to the substack one i could “heart” it (which i have done internally to basically every one in the past)
anyway / thanks for fridays and emails on a random thursday
today you illustrated what i deeply believe and see playing out day after day in so many subtle (and life altering ways) 💛
Thank you! 💗💗💗 Our dad was the ultimate door-holder. He wouldn’t leave. He instructed his four kids to do the same. I think each of us spends a lot of time door-holding, and, if my brothers are like me (I think they are), we use that time to settle into remembering our father. It’s such a welcome pause. Thanks for celebrating humans and our doors. 💗💗💗 Also, THIS IS NORMAL, to help people in tiny ways. It makes the world turn with fewer jolts! It’s normal to be kind, and I’m just here in the comments to say, DON’T LET YOURSELF THINK FOR A SECOND THAT THE MEAN SPIRITED THUGGERY OF OUR GOVT IS NORMAL. Hold the door for a neighbor and hold the line on what’s normal. Kindness is normal. Thanks for sharing! XXOXOXO
That’s fantastic and happens a lot. It’s fascinating that no matter what, whether you know the people or not, the same code of practice is observed the world over. Although there may be cultural differences and different levels of patience.
I also love the moments when you walk into someone head on, they step to the side, you go the same way, then you both dance to the left, to the right, followed by an awkward “Sorry! Just dancing!” Nervous laughter and on you both go. Total strangers in a busy street.
I really love this one.
And hey, if we truly are what we do (character = behaviour), maybe what's needed to actually make this emblematic of the essential decency of humans is enough people saying "I choose to believe this is what most of us would do, and therefore I choose to approach strangers in that spirit, going forward."
I reckon that'd get the job done.
thank you, my friend
And another thing about this:
If those doors had been fully automatic, nobody would have had to expend effort in thoughtfully holding them open for anyone else.
This feels like some kind of broad warning about the dangers of AI.
But then, I've had too much coffee this morning, so maybe it isn't.
I love this. Of course I'm wondering ... is it the Food Farm?
Ah it was the Good Food Store (we live really close)
That would have been my second guess. 😂
closest "restaurant" to us too (I bravely fight the urge to walk over and eat the breakfast pizza most days)
Human decency prevails!
i have always read your emails and yesterday just clicked “subscribe” here. both came to my inbox but i wanted to read the direct email version but when i finished realized if i flipped over to the substack one i could “heart” it (which i have done internally to basically every one in the past)
anyway / thanks for fridays and emails on a random thursday
today you illustrated what i deeply believe and see playing out day after day in so many subtle (and life altering ways) 💛
I love what you choose to write and draw about. It makes me feel better as a person and about people. Thank you 🙏
thank you, Jono!
Thank you! 💗💗💗 Our dad was the ultimate door-holder. He wouldn’t leave. He instructed his four kids to do the same. I think each of us spends a lot of time door-holding, and, if my brothers are like me (I think they are), we use that time to settle into remembering our father. It’s such a welcome pause. Thanks for celebrating humans and our doors. 💗💗💗 Also, THIS IS NORMAL, to help people in tiny ways. It makes the world turn with fewer jolts! It’s normal to be kind, and I’m just here in the comments to say, DON’T LET YOURSELF THINK FOR A SECOND THAT THE MEAN SPIRITED THUGGERY OF OUR GOVT IS NORMAL. Hold the door for a neighbor and hold the line on what’s normal. Kindness is normal. Thanks for sharing! XXOXOXO
That’s fantastic and happens a lot. It’s fascinating that no matter what, whether you know the people or not, the same code of practice is observed the world over. Although there may be cultural differences and different levels of patience.
I also love the moments when you walk into someone head on, they step to the side, you go the same way, then you both dance to the left, to the right, followed by an awkward “Sorry! Just dancing!” Nervous laughter and on you both go. Total strangers in a busy street.
I love this so much for so many reasons, and will be thinking of it again and again. Thank you.
This is so lovely. Thanks so much for shining that little light.
This is great.
Reminds me of this Aussie sketch from one of my fave comedians years ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_td1X_c5Gg