Thank you, I really needed your words. It is hard not to despair when the United States is falling apart. The encouragement I get from reading Substack helps me to live and resist at the same time.
Dear Carol, thank you so much, we are helping each other enourmously here and your message illustrates so much what we do here: we are becoming better people, at least more empathetic, more insightful, and everything from the start point of a war. That's really something, because there's no change in our world if nothing changes inside our hearts 💙
At least a third of the U.S. don’t have morals or a heart. They were not nurtured but raised to hate. Sadly I don’t think there’s a way to reach them. If they are beat at home they need to beat others.
In a recent Doctor Who episode, one of the main characters made a point: "Hurt people hurt others."
(For those who don't know: Doctor Who is a long-running [off and on, since 1963; the oldest, still-running sci-fi TV show ever :D] British TV "children's" show, whose primary main character is a humanoid alien who usually tries their best [usually male, but can "regenerate," like a phoenix, to another sex or race] to solve problems without the use of weapons, other than words. Very inspirational at times!)
So very well said! I think most people in the free world need to read your words. I - like Churchill and the Brits in 1940 - will never surrender! I have faith, and hope. For all of us.
Thank you so much dear Wayne, every time I write, every idea I have, I start from the standpoint of thinking what I could be universal, what relates to everyone independently of where we live, since the very beginning my intention was to show that the battle is the same everywhere. The graphics change, but the core is the same: we have the big challenge to make this planet survive so much evil and so many evil people. And the fact you mentioned that when you say our battles, only shows me that we are extremely connected on this. 💙
Viktor, you are an amazing writer! After reading your words, they stay with me all day long. You are such an inspiration to us all! Please continue to be safe, and take care of yourself! Hugs, from California XOXO
Dear Andrea, thank you so much, I feel absolutely honored with your words. Especially in a text that is about my mother, or something about her relating to Ukraine, which in the end is all the same thing: mother in blood and mother land (and a land that we are defending with all our blood, so sure!). All my love to California and I also hope you are already recovered from the fires in January. 💙
You were a wonderful son to your mother and you’re a wonderful person for your family and country. Never stop being positive. We will all be here for you and your country 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇸🇺🇦
Thank you very very much dear Dianne. There were so many things I could have done better to my loved mother, and they still haunt me sometimes, but I don't carry the pain of letting herself get downed on her own fears and apathy. I saw her so scary of her own health that once she checked in the hospital for 3 times in the period of 2 months, talking about pain, diziness, and so many other symptoms, and she didn't had anything tangible after so many exams and procedures. That illuminated my mind to see that her problem was not her health, but her state of giving up life. Which was all uncounscious, for sure, but we know that this level of mind is the one which dominates our lives and decisions even though we have no idea of what's happening. Well, talking about my mother is such a pleasure to me that I almost forget about war, even when relating something on her with the war, which is by the way about her country she so much loved too. 🇺🇸🇺🇦💙
Tour talking about your mother made me stop and reflect on my own life. I was in a very bad car accident back in 1997. I almost didn’t survive and was in pretty bad shape. I was on ventilator for two weeks and had many broken bones and it was touch and go for awhile. I don’t want to bore you with my whole life story but in 2011 I divorced my alcoholic husband after 44 years of marriage. My oldest son has been my rock and I have had several more brushes with near death and a huge amount of health problems. My sons name is Tim and I moved to his home temporarily in 2011 and it turned into a permanent move, he reminds me often that I am a strong willed woman and life is worth living . I do keep fighting no matter what life throws at me. I always look around me and I can always find somebody that has things worse than myself and I thank God for my life. Thank you for making me stop and remind myself of this because I have been upset at the way Donald Trump is hurting our America. God bless you and I would be proud to call you son.
I lost my mother when I was only ten years old and I still miss her every day but I have faith that she and I will be together again someday. Being positive is a blessing to us all. Please remember that your mom loved you and is still in your heart. 🇺🇸🇺🇦🫶🏻
We are also watching our country be destroyed and are having a hard time remembering to live. As always, your writing and your message are beautiful and honest, and help us feel connected to you and the rest of the world. The crazies at the top will eventually be gone and we will rebuild.
Thank you so much dear Andrea, it's not always easy to find beauty, but I will never give up on that search, in the same way I'll never give up the fight for our freedom and for democracy. There's simply no reason to live without any of these. And the crazies you mentioned, they are already morally gone, we just need to do the final job! 💙
Thank you, Viktor. Here you are living through war and terrible injustice and yet you are helping the rest of us to remember life. We are not at war in American but we are in despair and your writing helps us to look for beauty and hope.
Dear Emily, when we are crushed to the point of facing what does it mean to miss life, something happens in our soul that we try to remember what really matters, what really makes life worth living. We think about the reasons so much suffering is about, so much pain, so much fight, and if we don't remember the beauty in life, it would be so much easier to give up. I could even say that it's a war strategy to remember the beauty. And sometimes I think I'm going crazy, but well, that's my heart speaking, not really me! Thank you so much 💙
I agree Viktor’s story seems to draw people in . I enjoy your writing. I look forward to seeing your posts daily. I breath a sigh of relief and say. Thank You Jesus when I am able to see your post on Substack 😉 Are you able to get mail from the post office nowadays? Prayers
Dear Sara, I say without any doubt that the most beautiful part is to read the beautiful comments like yours. You renew my energies, you renew my motivation, you renew my own sense of beauty every time I come to each piece and see the messages. No one would ever state that beauty is in short supply in the world after seeing this comment section. Thank you so so much 💙
Thank you, remembering what beauty is feels like a defense mechanism of survival. Happiness, well, this is harder to think, harder even to think about. I think I've never understood the concept of happiness even in the peaceful times, but beauty dear Martha, rescuing the rest of what's inside me, I can honestly say that it's the purpose of my life. 💙
I really appreciate that dear Rosie, and I can say that the inspiration comes entirely from my mother who I talked about there! I would not be anyone without her. Thank you. 💙
Viktor.… it’s a powerful name your mother gave you. I wonder what ordinary Americans can do to help. So many of us feel helpless to assist, and are feeling abandoned by our own government that is presently debating taking away the small safety net we fought to establish so they can give tax cuts to billionaires and very wealthy people.
We are not being attacked by the outside; we are being destroyed from within in a similar way that division was incited from within your borders over decades ago.
We have a lot to learn from each other. It is nice to have insight into your world from such a ground level view. Thank you for revealing your truth through your writing. Don’t lose Hope.
Your resilience and tenacity is inspiring, as much in your stories about everyday human relationships as in you and your people’s courage to fight to save the country you love.
You and your country people are the true glory of Ukraine.
Viktor, you must continue to give us your insights, your experiences, the things you learn so you can teach us how to be better humans, how to avoid despair, channel anger to strength. Though your country has lost so much, I can’t help thinking we are headed there too. Please stay safe.
Thank you, I really needed your words. It is hard not to despair when the United States is falling apart. The encouragement I get from reading Substack helps me to live and resist at the same time.
Dear Carol, thank you so much, we are helping each other enourmously here and your message illustrates so much what we do here: we are becoming better people, at least more empathetic, more insightful, and everything from the start point of a war. That's really something, because there's no change in our world if nothing changes inside our hearts 💙
Well said Viktor! Well said! No matter our circumstances, we must look into our past, to see how our present is unfolding.
We must read our words, and view our moral and ethical values, then turn them all inward.. before we can grasp our own behaviors, and change them…,
Only then can we safely assume that our behaviors have been all that they should be.
We are all in this together. But are we all pulling our own weight together, and in the same direction. If not, we need to do better!
Thank you Viktor!
❤️🤍💙 💙🇺🇦💛
At least a third of the U.S. don’t have morals or a heart. They were not nurtured but raised to hate. Sadly I don’t think there’s a way to reach them. If they are beat at home they need to beat others.
In a recent Doctor Who episode, one of the main characters made a point: "Hurt people hurt others."
(For those who don't know: Doctor Who is a long-running [off and on, since 1963; the oldest, still-running sci-fi TV show ever :D] British TV "children's" show, whose primary main character is a humanoid alien who usually tries their best [usually male, but can "regenerate," like a phoenix, to another sex or race] to solve problems without the use of weapons, other than words. Very inspirational at times!)
Same here.
Yes-I agree. We will choose a free life in the U.S. and continue to fight for it. Viktor is helping us to keep hope.
Carol I feel very much the same way. One day at a time together ♥️🇺🇦
So very well said! I think most people in the free world need to read your words. I - like Churchill and the Brits in 1940 - will never surrender! I have faith, and hope. For all of us.
🌻
Very inspirational, We all stand by you and Ukraine.
Thank you so much, really appreciate that, friend. 💙
Thank you. You are one of the very few whom write about the war in Ukraine. I feel uplifted by each and every one of your articles
I don't like to say this, because it feels like it would reveal how little I know about what it's like to live under siege. Which is largely true.
Here is what I'll say: your battle for life is our battle for life, and ours is yours.
Your writing illustrates this point with a rare, understated eloquence.
Keep in touch as long as you can, stay safe, and we'll do the same.
Thank you so much dear Wayne, every time I write, every idea I have, I start from the standpoint of thinking what I could be universal, what relates to everyone independently of where we live, since the very beginning my intention was to show that the battle is the same everywhere. The graphics change, but the core is the same: we have the big challenge to make this planet survive so much evil and so many evil people. And the fact you mentioned that when you say our battles, only shows me that we are extremely connected on this. 💙
Absolutely! :)
Someday soon, I hope, we'll realize that humanity is all one family, and that we should take care of each other, and our home, with that in mind.
May we all take your example to heart, Viktor! :D
Viktor, you are an amazing writer! After reading your words, they stay with me all day long. You are such an inspiration to us all! Please continue to be safe, and take care of yourself! Hugs, from California XOXO
Dear Andrea, thank you so much, I feel absolutely honored with your words. Especially in a text that is about my mother, or something about her relating to Ukraine, which in the end is all the same thing: mother in blood and mother land (and a land that we are defending with all our blood, so sure!). All my love to California and I also hope you are already recovered from the fires in January. 💙
You were a wonderful son to your mother and you’re a wonderful person for your family and country. Never stop being positive. We will all be here for you and your country 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇸🇺🇦
Thank you very very much dear Dianne. There were so many things I could have done better to my loved mother, and they still haunt me sometimes, but I don't carry the pain of letting herself get downed on her own fears and apathy. I saw her so scary of her own health that once she checked in the hospital for 3 times in the period of 2 months, talking about pain, diziness, and so many other symptoms, and she didn't had anything tangible after so many exams and procedures. That illuminated my mind to see that her problem was not her health, but her state of giving up life. Which was all uncounscious, for sure, but we know that this level of mind is the one which dominates our lives and decisions even though we have no idea of what's happening. Well, talking about my mother is such a pleasure to me that I almost forget about war, even when relating something on her with the war, which is by the way about her country she so much loved too. 🇺🇸🇺🇦💙
Viktor,
Tour talking about your mother made me stop and reflect on my own life. I was in a very bad car accident back in 1997. I almost didn’t survive and was in pretty bad shape. I was on ventilator for two weeks and had many broken bones and it was touch and go for awhile. I don’t want to bore you with my whole life story but in 2011 I divorced my alcoholic husband after 44 years of marriage. My oldest son has been my rock and I have had several more brushes with near death and a huge amount of health problems. My sons name is Tim and I moved to his home temporarily in 2011 and it turned into a permanent move, he reminds me often that I am a strong willed woman and life is worth living . I do keep fighting no matter what life throws at me. I always look around me and I can always find somebody that has things worse than myself and I thank God for my life. Thank you for making me stop and remind myself of this because I have been upset at the way Donald Trump is hurting our America. God bless you and I would be proud to call you son.
I lost my mother when I was only ten years old and I still miss her every day but I have faith that she and I will be together again someday. Being positive is a blessing to us all. Please remember that your mom loved you and is still in your heart. 🇺🇸🇺🇦🫶🏻
We are also watching our country be destroyed and are having a hard time remembering to live. As always, your writing and your message are beautiful and honest, and help us feel connected to you and the rest of the world. The crazies at the top will eventually be gone and we will rebuild.
Thank you so much dear Andrea, it's not always easy to find beauty, but I will never give up on that search, in the same way I'll never give up the fight for our freedom and for democracy. There's simply no reason to live without any of these. And the crazies you mentioned, they are already morally gone, we just need to do the final job! 💙
Thank you Andrea. Well said. This too shall pass.
Thank you, Viktor. Here you are living through war and terrible injustice and yet you are helping the rest of us to remember life. We are not at war in American but we are in despair and your writing helps us to look for beauty and hope.
Dear Emily, when we are crushed to the point of facing what does it mean to miss life, something happens in our soul that we try to remember what really matters, what really makes life worth living. We think about the reasons so much suffering is about, so much pain, so much fight, and if we don't remember the beauty in life, it would be so much easier to give up. I could even say that it's a war strategy to remember the beauty. And sometimes I think I'm going crazy, but well, that's my heart speaking, not really me! Thank you so much 💙
Thank YOU so much. ❤️
Beautiful! "It's a war strategy to remember the beauty." Very well said! :D
I agree Viktor’s story seems to draw people in . I enjoy your writing. I look forward to seeing your posts daily. I breath a sigh of relief and say. Thank You Jesus when I am able to see your post on Substack 😉 Are you able to get mail from the post office nowadays? Prayers
We stand with you. Thank you for showing the beauty of Ukraine. Your words give hope to so many struggling people
Dear Sara, I say without any doubt that the most beautiful part is to read the beautiful comments like yours. You renew my energies, you renew my motivation, you renew my own sense of beauty every time I come to each piece and see the messages. No one would ever state that beauty is in short supply in the world after seeing this comment section. Thank you so so much 💙
Thank you..I oftened wondered if life, beauty,happiness could be found in such hard conditions
Thank you, remembering what beauty is feels like a defense mechanism of survival. Happiness, well, this is harder to think, harder even to think about. I think I've never understood the concept of happiness even in the peaceful times, but beauty dear Martha, rescuing the rest of what's inside me, I can honestly say that it's the purpose of my life. 💙
Yes Victor. This piece is inspirational - to all of you in Ukraine and to all of us wherever we may be. Thank you so much.
I really appreciate that dear Rosie, and I can say that the inspiration comes entirely from my mother who I talked about there! I would not be anyone without her. Thank you. 💙
Viktor.… it’s a powerful name your mother gave you. I wonder what ordinary Americans can do to help. So many of us feel helpless to assist, and are feeling abandoned by our own government that is presently debating taking away the small safety net we fought to establish so they can give tax cuts to billionaires and very wealthy people.
We are not being attacked by the outside; we are being destroyed from within in a similar way that division was incited from within your borders over decades ago.
We have a lot to learn from each other. It is nice to have insight into your world from such a ground level view. Thank you for revealing your truth through your writing. Don’t lose Hope.
We can assist, at least as much as possible, through this site (it's official):
https://u24.gov.ua/
This is a good one, too:
https://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraine
I stand with Ukraine🇺🇦
Thank you very much 🇺🇸🇺🇦💙
Beautiful reflection. Prayers for Ukraine and peace.
Thank you Judy! Always praying here too. 💙🙏
Your resilience and tenacity is inspiring, as much in your stories about everyday human relationships as in you and your people’s courage to fight to save the country you love.
You and your country people are the true glory of Ukraine.
Viktor, you must continue to give us your insights, your experiences, the things you learn so you can teach us how to be better humans, how to avoid despair, channel anger to strength. Though your country has lost so much, I can’t help thinking we are headed there too. Please stay safe.
This is so true. I have to keep my thinking from robbing the beauty of life. Thank you! May you and Ukraine overcome!