On the Bright Side
janharness.bsky.social
On the Bright Side
@janharness.bsky.social
Because we can’t live solely in rage and terror — and there is still good to be found.
Jan Sokoloff Harness is the author of “Look Up: Your Unexpected Guide to Good.”
www.creativeinstigation.com
#booksky
She/her
On the bright side, @booker.senate.gov showed us what it means to stand up for democracy. God bless him. Now, go make good trouble.
Booker finally yields after more than 25 hours of speaking 👏👏👏
April 2, 2025 at 1:19 AM
On the bright side, we have John Lithgow bringing to life the wisdom of @timothysnyder.bsky.social

Watch it. Then be courageous.
Here is my best guidance for action, rendered beautifully by the great John Lithgow. I first published these lessons more than eight years ago, in late 2016. They open the twenty chapters of "On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century."
snyder.substack.com/p/twenty-les...
Twenty Lessons, read by John Lithgow
Key selections from On Tyranny, for viewing and sharing
snyder.substack.com
March 31, 2025 at 3:03 AM
“Swearing is linked with increased pain tolerance and strength”

Thanks to this story in the @washingtonpost.com, I feel fuckin’ vindicated.

#resist #tuesday #lookup #booksky
March 4, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Reposted by On the Bright Side
We want to send a message to the world: what has happened today is an absolute disgrace. It is completely un-American.
February 28, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Reposted by On the Bright Side
That press conference was the most disgraceful act of betrayal I’ve ever seen.
February 28, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Remember that spending cash at small, local businesses is part of today’s economic blackout! Let’s support our favorite homegrown shops.

#blackout #protest #resist #shopsmall #lookup #booksky #friday
February 28, 2025 at 1:38 PM
A million birds flying north has to be a good sign, right? Spring is on the way.

#sunday #spring #gooutside #lookup #booksky
February 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
On the bright side, after you read the news (hopefully that includes @hcrichardson.bsky.social), you can read a novel and give your mind a little literary vacation.

#booksky #lookup #resist #thursday #staysane
The skies and roads are a whole lot clearer than expected, so we’re already here slinging books! We’re still planning to close at 4pm today. Come warm up and get a new read!
February 20, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Reposted by On the Bright Side
Democratic leaders:

I think it's abundantly clear at this point that simply going along to get along ain't gonna work. Trying to negotiate ain't gonna work. Being collegial ain't gonna work. What you're doing right now isn't working.

Take your gloves off and punch back. Hard.
February 19, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Today’s tip? After you make your calls, donate to democracy or enjoy your morning coffee, look at your “to do” list. I crossed off a big, dreaded task yesterday and immediately felt lighter. Try it. Move one step forward. xoxo

#wednesday #lookup #resist #booksky #staysane
February 19, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Repeat after me, KC peeps:

Next week it will be in the 50s.
Next week it will be in the 50s.
Next week it will be in the 50s.

#hanginthere #tuesday #climate #makeyourcalls #lookup #booksky
February 18, 2025 at 1:24 PM
“This Devil Wears Nada” 🤣🤣🤣
This is how I always imagined Meryl Streep would appear in an SNL sketch
February 17, 2025 at 3:01 AM
Aren’t Sunday mornings the best? The funny pages. Good coffee. Silent cold outside, quiet warmth inside.

This is your reminder to breathe, dear hearts.

(Do people still call the comics the “funny pages”???? Or am I revealing myself as 1,000 years old?)

#sunday #lookup #staysane #resist #breathe
February 16, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Reposted by On the Bright Side
Found Valentine #53, Car Wash, Deer Park, Texas
February 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by On the Bright Side
Found Valentine #2, Fence, RV Park, Chimacum, Washington
February 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Reposted by On the Bright Side
One of our supporters shared this with us—people are getting creative tonight!
February 14, 2025 at 4:25 AM
Happy Valentine’s Day!

Extra hugs to everyone piecing broken hearts back together. 🩵

#valentine #friday #love #booksky
February 14, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Here’s something Grimm that isn’t politics — with @stephenking.bsky.social providing the words for Sendak’s art, you know this will be a gem!

#booksky #fairytales
February 13, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I was going to post a screenshot of my weather app, with the windchill of -6 in KC, in what feels like unending winter. But the brilliant @connieschultz.bsky.social has a better idea.

Stay warm, peeps. Make your calls or huddle under a blankie. Or both. Whatever works today.

Spring is on her way.
Spring is on her way.

#breathe
February 13, 2025 at 12:37 PM
People ask me, “What difference does it make if I call my senators and representative?” Numbers matter. Our show of unity and strength matters. Bonus: After I call, I feel better. I’ve done something.

Call. Donate. Protest. Find your path, but DO SOMETHING.

#resist #trump #musk #booksky #lookup
February 11, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Reposted by On the Bright Side
You are not powerless, and he is not unstoppable. Look at, and learn from, the funding freeze and how quickly he was forced to surrender.
February 10, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Reposted by On the Bright Side
If your boss or company tells you to do something unethical: don't say yes. Make them write it down.
If they won't put it in writing yourself. Send an email (bcc yourself?): "Following our conversation on x date at x time regarding x, I am writing to clarify your directives. According to my notes, you instructed me to A, B, and C. If any of this is incorrect, please advise. I have some concerns."
February 7, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Marco says, “Enough of KC winter. I want a beach and a catamaran.”

Happy #caturday, peeps.

#lookup #staysane #booksky
February 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Read the entire thread 🙌🏻
Being a person with deadly, incurable cancer who is nonetheless still alive for an indefinite timeframe gives me an interesting metaphor that helps me deal with things like large-scale corruption in government or commerce.

Bear with me for a second while I try to explain.
February 8, 2025 at 12:36 AM
On the bright side, there’s love in the air and I’m KC born and bred. Go Chiefs!

PS The felon and friends do not get access to my entire brain.

PPS I’m waiting for the wedding and then an album of lullabies.

#taylorswift #travis #superbowl #lookup #staysane #february
February 7, 2025 at 2:55 PM