When things go wrong

The storm raging outside mirrors my inner turmoil, thoughts racing. Images and places long gone, historical events, words and news headlines spinning around in my head like colourful pieces of glass in a big kaleidoscope. 

How will the future unfold? Believing things will somehow turn out well is wishful thinking but I am clinging to hope. I know that it’s a fine line between normality and a potential sudden downturn into disaster. 

Knowing that the next years will bring a lot of suffering and bad things are bound to happen, is just a realistic assessment. 

It’s all a bit much right now: ongoing climate change, the presidential election results, wars continuing unabated.

On the other hand, nothing is ever set in stone and where there is darkness, there is also light. 

Even in the storm, the sun is shining behind the clouds. 

Rumi

So, hanging on to eternal wisdom and hope is one way of coping, and going on about my daily life. Well knowing that I will feel down and overwhelmed from time to time. 

Getting a bad conscience about keeping my healthy distance to the news, but being fully aware that I need to be serious about setting such boundaries to protect myself. The only control that I have is over my own thoughts and decisions.

Being very self-aware of how it all makes me feel, and listening to what my inner being is telling me that she needs. 

Looking at all the problems and crises in the world it’s easy to get overwhelmed, because we cannot solve everything. But we don’t need to. The thought that resonated with me in the latest episode of my favourite podcast: 
“Focus on one thing you can do well and trust that others do the same.”

Indeed, we are not alone and it always makes me happy to see other people’s thoughts, advice, engagement and commitment. Their ideas and activism. 

It is so important not to lose hope or become angry at all that goes wrong, at the existence of evil and the amount of suffering in the world. 

The massive threats we are facing, like the climate crisis, are scary. But if leaders are not listening, it does not mean that activism is ineffective. 

The spoken word has immense power, can move people and be the catalyst for change. 

What we mostly perceive through news and social media is the – quite amplified – negative side of the coin. But there is equally love and hope out there, inventions, advice and support. 

Progress made is never in vain, even if it sometimes goes like “1 step forward, 2 steps back”. It leaves a legacy with people. It sows a seed and can be brought back to life.

Change comes in small steps. It’s rarely the big revolution that brings about radical change. It’s a sequence of small steps that finally pave the way to a different reality, so don’t underestimate its power. It takes patience and perseverance.

Most of us might wish for change to come at lightning’s speed, me included. Looking at the big challenges we are facing feels like we are running out of time, thus breeds impatience that could easily lead to overwhelm and despair. 

But none of us has a magic wand. And it’s never one person alone who could fix things , especially not when things went the wrong way for a long time. We need to hold on to each other and collaborate. And we need to acknowledge our responsibility for our life choices.

To create fundamental change, we, the members of society, have to transform ourselves. If we want real peace, we have to demonstrate our love and understanding so that those responsible for making decisions can learn from us.

Thich Nhat Hanh (Love in Action)

To change the world we first need to change ourselves. 

And if we can change ourselves, then we can change the world. 

A comforting truth: it works both ways.

How can I become the best version of myself? Easier said than done. But with myself, I have agency. I decide what to do and how to respond. It is hard and exhausting sometimes. 

1) Acknowledge the importance of the worries and threats impacting all of us. We cannot run away from them, and I do understand the anger and frustration of activists who do not feel heard. 

2) Do not lose hope, don’t let it drag you down. Taking care of yourself, your sanity, is a must. Don’t lose faith in the goodness of people or our love for the beauty of the world. That is not naive but an important part of surviving, of quality of life. We need that. Without closing our eyes to reality and what has to be done. 

Don’t give in to despair. It’s a difficult act of balance, and I am not good at it either. And remember: self-care is not selfish, but the necessary foundation for showing up well.

3) Focus on what you can do within your power. No contribution is too unimportant, we need to keep reminding ourselves of that. It could take the shape of activism but there are more options. Sharing information, supporting a cause, can be as helpful. Being attentive to people’s needs, educating and enabling others. Helping things progress and looking for kindness.

4) Have trust in others. We are in this together. It feels reassuring not to be the only one who is trying to make a change and do the right thing.

How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?

Rumi

I refuse to let this situation have the power to control my sanity, my peace, my wellbeing or my happiness. 

We need to live our lives and live them well. We need to do whatever good we can within our own circle of influence, and we need to do it together. Because we are in this together.

That is the only way to effect change.

There will never be a time when all of humanity’s problems will be solved. We can never expect one person to come along and handle everything for us – as tempting as such a thought might seem.

It is always up to us.

…use your courage and creativity to build what you know is missing from the world.

Yung Pueblo