Thoughts For My Neighbor
Nov 3rd The Country Will Not Change, But We Must
November 3rd, contrary to what political propaganda tries to make you believe, our country will not change. However, we the people of this country must continue to do so. On and after Election Day we must remember we decide our own fate, but also set the tone for generations to come after us.
I know many from either party believe that in your truest intent you are trying to do your part in saving whatever fundamental ideas you care about most deeply... but that’s just it. You’re not doing anything at all! That’s what is at stake. Personal accountability.
You are wishing upon a star, a party, something beyond you that can be responsible for the hard stuff in life. All of us. Everyone of you who throw in your tickets into an antiquated game of tug of war. What’s worse is that the game happens over a hole we are all stuck in. Not just the poor or the marginalized, but every human on the face of this Earth. Even the politicians we go to for our solutions.
Some will read this and think immediate anarchy and chaos. That ungoverned is the will of the wicked, and I’m not here to discuss or dissuade that. I can only try and offer through muted screams half earned advice.
What we do after the election is move forward proving the worst to be behind us, together. Even if that means somewhat separately. Not every space is for everybody because not everyone can nor wants to be in every space.
But whether we like it or not this is our space. So let’s like it. Let’s have the tough conversations with each other. Let’s be skeptically naive and place a little faith in our neighbors. I mean, the ones we really would rather judge instead.
Not giving anyone a pass on their shitty behavior but a chance to be more than the worst version you see for them. Even when they are being that version of themselves.
And most importantly we have to do the work. Stop complaining that any of the politicians aren’t doing anything for our country.
They can’t. All they can do is work with the people who can. And the real kicker to that is, all of us who are able bodied participants of this democracy are who can. Stop your own vitriol. Hold yourselves and each other accountable. And proceed towards a true solution.
It starts at home. Listen to each other. Those you’d really rather not. Talk to those. Your perspective of someone else’s world is always false until a relationship is formed enough to see through their eyes.
In 2017 I spoke largely of starting this “project”. In the year 2020 entrepreneurship has felt as if it’s hit a true spike, but my goal was not to try and start a business. I want to start a global partnership. A connection of artists, and scientists. Find a harmonious marriage of what is and what could be. Through collective voice we would find new hope and passion. I thought then, in 2017, that the 20’s were going to bring about an immense opportunity to grow forward. To evolve to a greater version of ourselves.
As 2020 has come and gone I still feel the general reaction of the people of the world depressing into themselves.
2020 brought in so many awful things. And it’s easy to be fixated on all of the mayhem and tragedy. But we forget that life is duality. It may seem small now, but so much good happened too. The groundwork for the next decade has been prepared.
After November 3rd I will continue to build The Renaissance Network Project
And my small contribution of Tattoo’s Publishing aiming to get literature back to being a part of life.
Www.therenproject.net
And sorry for the run on sentences and the improper grammar.
About the Creator
Dan-O Vizzini
Has anyone else just been making it up as they go along? Have you gotten so far from where you started that finding your way back seems impossible?
Well— reach.
Power when exercised properly is a beautiful thing.
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“Pray With the Pope”: A Living Network of Communion in a Divided World
In a world increasingly shaped by conflict, polarisation, and digital noise, the simple invitation to pray together may seem almost radical. Yet that is precisely what “Pray with the Pope” represents — a global initiative that has grown into a real network of spiritual communion, uniting millions of people across continents in moments of shared reflection, hope, and intention. At a time when societies feel fragmented and trust in institutions is eroding, this movement offers something profoundly countercultural: silence instead of shouting, unity instead of division, and prayer instead of performance. What Does “Pray With the Pope” Mean? “Pray with the Pope” is not a slogan or a marketing campaign. It is an open invitation issued through the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, encouraging people to join the Pope each month in prayer for specific global intentions — ranging from peace and justice to climate responsibility, migration, families, and the dignity of human life. These intentions are shared publicly, often accompanied by short reflections or videos, but the heart of the movement lies elsewhere: in private homes, churches, hospital rooms, classrooms, refugee camps, and quiet corners where individuals pause to pray at the same time, for the same purpose. This shared rhythm transforms prayer into a collective act of solidarity. A Network Without Borders Unlike traditional institutions, this network has no headquarters filled with people checking attendance or enforcing participation. Its strength lies in its invisibility. Participants come from every continent. Some are lifelong Catholics, others are new to faith, and many do not even belong formally to the Church. What connects them is not ideology but intention — the desire to lift the world’s wounds into a space of hope. In a divided world marked by war, political polarisation, and social fragmentation, “Pray with the Pope” functions as a quiet counter-network — one that refuses to mirror the world’s fractures. Prayer as a Response to Global Division Pope Francis has consistently framed prayer not as an escape from reality, but as a way of entering more deeply into it. His monthly intentions often focus on the most painful issues of our time: armed conflict, poverty, environmental degradation, loneliness, and the suffering of migrants. Critics sometimes dismiss prayer as passive. But for participants, praying together becomes an act of moral attention — a refusal to look away. In this sense, the movement challenges the idea that change only happens through loud action. It suggests that interior transformation is also a force — one capable of shaping compassion, responsibility, and long-term commitment. Digital Faith in a Disconnected Age Ironically, the network thrives through digital tools. Social media, mobile apps, and online videos allow people separated by oceans and cultures to feel part of a shared moment. Yet unlike most online spaces, this one does not thrive on outrage or instant reaction. Instead, it invites slowness. A person in Manila may pray at sunrise, while someone in São Paulo joins hours later. The time zones differ, but the intention remains the same. In a culture of constant updates, this rhythm introduces a sense of sacred continuity. Beyond Religion: A Human Language Although rooted in Catholic tradition, “Pray with the Pope” speaks a language that goes beyond doctrine. Its themes — peace, care for the Earth, dignity, reconciliation — resonate with universal human concerns. This inclusiveness matters. In a world where religion is often portrayed as a source of division, this initiative demonstrates another possibility: faith as a bridge rather than a boundary. Many participants describe feeling connected not only to God, but to one another — even to people they will never meet. Communion in a Time of Crisis The concept of “communion” has deep theological roots, but here it takes on a modern meaning. Communion is not uniformity. It does not require agreement on everything. It means choosing connection despite difference. As wars continue, climate anxiety grows, and social trust weakens, the idea of a spiritual network committed to shared concern becomes increasingly relevant. “Pray with the Pope” does not promise quick solutions. Instead, it cultivates something slower and arguably more durable: empathy. A Quiet Form of Resistance In a world driven by speed, productivity, and visible results, taking time to pray can feel almost rebellious. This movement resists the pressure to constantly react. It resists the idea that only those with power or platforms matter. It reminds participants that even unseen acts — when multiplied — can shape the moral climate of the world. In that sense, “Pray with the Pope” is not just spiritual. It is deeply human. Why It Matters Today The world does not lack opinions. It lacks listening. It does not lack information. It lacks wisdom. By inviting people into shared silence and intention, this global prayer network offers a different way of being present to the world’s pain — one that neither denies reality nor becomes consumed by it. In a divided world, communion itself becomes a message. Final Reflection “Pray with the Pope” reminds us that unity does not always arrive through agreement, and change does not always begin with noise. Sometimes, it begins with millions of ordinary people pausing — wherever they are — to hold the same fragile hope. In that shared pause, a divided world finds a moment of communion.
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