My journey, beginning with my birth 78 years ago, has taught me (my vantage point) that we all share a common origin filled with love, joy, fearlessness and immense curiosity. Every endeavor of every individual, every word and every action, will vibrate with the presence of the above by degrees.
Sadly, there is a darkness that afflicts vast numbers of people. The absence of connectedness to our true nature and thus to each other is all too apparent.
Our true home is within, where the joy lives. This is not about creating joy, it is about discovering the joy that already exists within us.
Eagerly await the end product of this project. With you and your collaborators work ethic and desire to explore all opinions the film should be a revelation.
Thanks for this post, Elliot. Like Jeff B, my experience of home began 78 years ago, in NYC. I’ve spent almost all of those years living in NYC - even when I tried living in the ‘burbs I commuted to the “City” for work or to see friends and family more days than not. Home to me , from my earliest school days, expanded to include the entire USA, despite very limited travel outside the metropolitan area. I considered this country my home, and still do. I’m so saddened by the divisiveness that has torn my sense of the USA being part of my sense of “home.” I believe the hatred so many express is a buffer of their fear of losing whatever they experienced as their value, a protection against feeling so vulnerable. My profession - psychotherapist - understands that anger can function that way, and I wish I could help others see that there are so many pies we could share if only they could trust that. I could write volumes about this, and I’ll stop that theme now and return to “home.” Home ought to be a place where one feels safe. Too many Americans never did feel safe here, and they deserve that comfort. We ALL do.
What a great project which I can't wait to see. So many of us are in our little silos while we wonder what other Americans (and immigrants) are thinking. Thanks for emphasizing that, instead of wondering, we should find ways to talk with others who may have different beliefs and worldviews.
For forty years I have worked with people who are struggling to find a balance between a sense of security and a desire for adventure. I’ve seen that, without the knowledge that you have a home, it is so difficult to seek the adventures that allow us to become what we are uniquely capable of being Sometimes people spend their entire lives desperately seeking a home, a community, a place where they belong.
I’m glad you’ll be visiting the homes of Americans we don’t usually get to meet. I look forward to meeting them too.
Home is not a static construct. It is a living organism. And like all living organisms, it experiences strain, discomfort, and periodic disruption. That is not failure — it is evidence of vitality. Only when there is rupture among its members does the true architecture of home reveal itself. Stress exposes structure. Tension clarifies value.
Two hundred and fifty years of a nation’s “home” is not merely a milestone to commemorate nostalgically. It is a foundation to examine critically and build upon deliberately. Anniversaries should not fossilise memory; they should activate responsibility.
If home is living, then its future depends on how consciously its members choose to repair, adapt, and reimagine it. Celebration, at its best, is not self-congratulation. It is renewal.
The single word that registered with me in this piece was "listen". Take the time to listen. My husband is a fan of CNN's Abby Phillips program. I see bits of the program, truly don't witness any LISTENING, what I witness are shouting matchs. There seems to be alot of that. It's a trickle down method of communication, from the white house occupation down. It has become a common method of discourse. "Get loud and mean never solved anything. I 🤔 we would happily listen to some common sense presented with a calmer demeanor.
Just today, I was thinking about home and departing soon after being gone for close to 90 days. What is home? Is it where I was born, where I was raised, where I've now lived longer than anywhere else? I'm so ready to be back in NorCal!
Humility is a saving grace of humanity. I don't think it fits into an AI algorithm. As the Nobel Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa has written, social media is designed to outrage us, not to help us find common ground. Silicon Valley types have embraced it and driven a wedge into societies around the world.
you say about the soothing and happy feeling of going home was my experience last night when I returned from two weeks in Costa Rica where I'd gone to have some dental work down. (It's less than half the price there than in Portland, and they have outstanding dentists and clinics.)
Even after a week on the sunny, beautiful Coast of Costa Rica, I wanted nothing more than to go home to my own bed, my dear husband, our two sweet cats, and the brisk refreshing air of the Pacific Northwest.
The travel hassle, late flights, bags that didn't arrive, disinterested service, and only a couple bags of pretzels to eat for hours, was well worth it when my goal was just being home. Ahhh...sweet home.
Thank you for the beautiful words of hope! I’m very hopeful for the future of our country. Listening and understanding each other’s point of view is more important now than I think it’s ever been. I so enjoy reading your Substack, thanks Elliot have a wonderful week
Talking is important though I think listening/hearing is critical. If I can’t be open to fully engage with what someone is saying to me then communication won’t happen.
Love knowing that you are a resident, as I am , of The City by the Bay. I often forget that I'm in a bubble here because it is rare for me to have the need to engage with anyone who doesn't share my ideas about what is going in Washington (I'm beside myself and in a state of anxiety most days). I have to learn to be quiet and make sure I read any room I happen to be in before I open my mouth. Happy day after Valentine's Day (when everyone I rubbed elbows with was in a good mood. : ) Love you posts!
Hi Elliot,
My journey, beginning with my birth 78 years ago, has taught me (my vantage point) that we all share a common origin filled with love, joy, fearlessness and immense curiosity. Every endeavor of every individual, every word and every action, will vibrate with the presence of the above by degrees.
Sadly, there is a darkness that afflicts vast numbers of people. The absence of connectedness to our true nature and thus to each other is all too apparent.
Our true home is within, where the joy lives. This is not about creating joy, it is about discovering the joy that already exists within us.
Thank you Jeff❤️
Eagerly await the end product of this project. With you and your collaborators work ethic and desire to explore all opinions the film should be a revelation.
Thank you Lea. We hope to have it completed by this fall. And I will be updating as it goes.
Thanks for this post, Elliot. Like Jeff B, my experience of home began 78 years ago, in NYC. I’ve spent almost all of those years living in NYC - even when I tried living in the ‘burbs I commuted to the “City” for work or to see friends and family more days than not. Home to me , from my earliest school days, expanded to include the entire USA, despite very limited travel outside the metropolitan area. I considered this country my home, and still do. I’m so saddened by the divisiveness that has torn my sense of the USA being part of my sense of “home.” I believe the hatred so many express is a buffer of their fear of losing whatever they experienced as their value, a protection against feeling so vulnerable. My profession - psychotherapist - understands that anger can function that way, and I wish I could help others see that there are so many pies we could share if only they could trust that. I could write volumes about this, and I’ll stop that theme now and return to “home.” Home ought to be a place where one feels safe. Too many Americans never did feel safe here, and they deserve that comfort. We ALL do.
Amen.
What a great project which I can't wait to see. So many of us are in our little silos while we wonder what other Americans (and immigrants) are thinking. Thanks for emphasizing that, instead of wondering, we should find ways to talk with others who may have different beliefs and worldviews.
For forty years I have worked with people who are struggling to find a balance between a sense of security and a desire for adventure. I’ve seen that, without the knowledge that you have a home, it is so difficult to seek the adventures that allow us to become what we are uniquely capable of being Sometimes people spend their entire lives desperately seeking a home, a community, a place where they belong.
I’m glad you’ll be visiting the homes of Americans we don’t usually get to meet. I look forward to meeting them too.
Thanks, Elliot
Home is not a static construct. It is a living organism. And like all living organisms, it experiences strain, discomfort, and periodic disruption. That is not failure — it is evidence of vitality. Only when there is rupture among its members does the true architecture of home reveal itself. Stress exposes structure. Tension clarifies value.
Two hundred and fifty years of a nation’s “home” is not merely a milestone to commemorate nostalgically. It is a foundation to examine critically and build upon deliberately. Anniversaries should not fossilise memory; they should activate responsibility.
If home is living, then its future depends on how consciously its members choose to repair, adapt, and reimagine it. Celebration, at its best, is not self-congratulation. It is renewal.
Thank you Robert! I love -
Anniversaries should not fossilise memory; they should activate responsibility.
❤️❤️
The single word that registered with me in this piece was "listen". Take the time to listen. My husband is a fan of CNN's Abby Phillips program. I see bits of the program, truly don't witness any LISTENING, what I witness are shouting matchs. There seems to be alot of that. It's a trickle down method of communication, from the white house occupation down. It has become a common method of discourse. "Get loud and mean never solved anything. I 🤔 we would happily listen to some common sense presented with a calmer demeanor.
Enjoy you work
AJ from 🇨🇦
As Walter Cronkite famously said “ I never learned anything when I was talking “.
I LOVE THIS! Thank you❤️
Just today, I was thinking about home and departing soon after being gone for close to 90 days. What is home? Is it where I was born, where I was raised, where I've now lived longer than anywhere else? I'm so ready to be back in NorCal!
Humility is a saving grace of humanity. I don't think it fits into an AI algorithm. As the Nobel Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa has written, social media is designed to outrage us, not to help us find common ground. Silicon Valley types have embraced it and driven a wedge into societies around the world.
I’m on Facebook and I don’t let it outrage me because I belong only to gardening, dog, and poetry groups. And my lovely Chicago daughter’s page.
you say about the soothing and happy feeling of going home was my experience last night when I returned from two weeks in Costa Rica where I'd gone to have some dental work down. (It's less than half the price there than in Portland, and they have outstanding dentists and clinics.)
Even after a week on the sunny, beautiful Coast of Costa Rica, I wanted nothing more than to go home to my own bed, my dear husband, our two sweet cats, and the brisk refreshing air of the Pacific Northwest.
The travel hassle, late flights, bags that didn't arrive, disinterested service, and only a couple bags of pretzels to eat for hours, was well worth it when my goal was just being home. Ahhh...sweet home.
Home is where the backpack is.
I am a woman in my 50s.
Thank you for the beautiful words of hope! I’m very hopeful for the future of our country. Listening and understanding each other’s point of view is more important now than I think it’s ever been. I so enjoy reading your Substack, thanks Elliot have a wonderful week
Thank you Elliot. As I read your words while I wait for my flight to LA, I feel a glimmer of hope. Safe travels!
Thank you, Susan. Safe travels.
Thanks for all your wonderful posts and for all the valuable work you do, Elliot.
Talking is important though I think listening/hearing is critical. If I can’t be open to fully engage with what someone is saying to me then communication won’t happen.
Love knowing that you are a resident, as I am , of The City by the Bay. I often forget that I'm in a bubble here because it is rare for me to have the need to engage with anyone who doesn't share my ideas about what is going in Washington (I'm beside myself and in a state of anxiety most days). I have to learn to be quiet and make sure I read any room I happen to be in before I open my mouth. Happy day after Valentine's Day (when everyone I rubbed elbows with was in a good mood. : ) Love you posts!