The uncertainty of this moment is disorienting—like the early days of the pandemic when everything shifted overnight, and no one knew what to do next. It can feel like everything is unraveling.
People question what kind of country we are becoming, bracing for more bad news. Federal employees face sudden job cuts. Hardship is painful, but it also creates space for reinvention and unexpected possibilities.
Deep down, we know hardship can lead to growth—but trusting that in the moment is the real challenge. The humble pendulum may be the reminder we need. It looks stuck, but the energy for its return is already there. Right now, many people feel the pendulum swinging away—as their values are challenged, stability shaken, and sense of belonging questioned.
Careers dedicated to public service are being trivialized. Some have been abruptly fired through cold, impersonal emails, while others wake up to tweets and messages filled with contempt for their work. The instinct is to retreat into defeatism, fearing that the momentum only goes one direction. Yet the pendulum offers us a different possibility. Something unexpected is happening within the federal workforce.
Colleagues are checking in on and finding ways to support one another. Others are refusing to follow unethical orders or choosing to resign rather than compromise their integrity. Beyond the workplace, I see it in the public square. Friends who never asked about my government work are reaching out with genuine care.
