Throughout the history of the world there have been times when humankind believed the end was near. In 536 AD the debris from massive volcanic eruptions blocked the sun for over a year causing extreme famine and cooling. It is dubbed as the worst year to be alive though it actually lasted longer than a year. And from 1347 to 1351 the bubonic plague swept through Europe and the Middle East killing an estimated 200 million people. (The cause of the plague wasn’t discovered till 1894. Today it is curable with modern antibiotics.)
Fast forward to today–a pretty, fall day in California. The sun is out, the temperature mild. Salvias and roses are still blooming. It is quiet and peaceful on our street and I am puttering around the house taking care of small chores. In reality I don’t have many pressing personal worries. My health is okay. Finances are good. Family and friends are safe. I should feel content and mostly I do, but if you were to ask me about the state of the world I’d say it’s going to hell in a hand basket and frankly I don’t have much hope for the future.
The news is filled with accounts of wars, natural disasters, corruption at every level, injustices of every stripe, genocide, high prices, poverty, tainted food supplies, AI threats, rampant diseases, greed, gun violence, racism, and attacks on women’s rights and those in the LGBTQ community, etc. I often feel overwhelmed, sad and powerless.
I have a friend who is annoyingly unworried about it all and often cavalierly says “God is in control.” Even as a person of faith I never know quite how to think about that. I believe humans have free will and it is evident looking at the chaos we find ourselves in and the evil that has run amuck. So is this all part of God’s plan?
I honestly don’t think so. I believe God grieves over the state of humanity. Could He intervene? Yes, of course. He could do big, dramatic things. But I think the way God works most in the world is through His frail human creatures–people of faith and goodness doing good works, being generous, kind and courageous.
That said when the world feels most overwhelming, we do need to administer some self-care. Take a break from the news. Step out in nature. Journal. Pray. Make bread. Curl up with a book or a dog. Whatever simple thing helps you destress.
But I also believe we should to do what small things we can, as we are able, to make the world a better place. It could be as basic as volunteering at a food bank, driving an elderly neighbor to appointments, or donating to charities that help the most vulnerable in our society or promote justice. (I recently gave a donation to World Central Kitchen to help provide meals in Gaza.) And bonus, doing something constructive and positive helps us too! “…acts of kindness trigger a neurological and biochemical response in the brain—often called the “helper’s high”—that releases pleasure and bonding hormones while lowering stress. [1, 2]”
I don’t think much of those who turn a blind eye to what’s going on around us. I followed a YouTube channel for a short time, but unsubscribed when the creator advocated to “save yourself” by never watching any news. Her stance was “since I can’t do anything about the bad stuff that happens, why let myself be exposed to it and get all worked up and stressed out.” And all the comments except mine applauded this message.
I was rather shocked at this “head in the sand” advice. Now I am not saying they aren’t nice and decent folks, but it seems dangerously complacent. I am reminded that during WWII approximately a third of the German citizens choose passive indifference or willful ignorance to the atrocities committed by Hitler and his military to fellow Germans, their very neighbors.
Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.
John Stuart Mill
So bottomline–yes, practice self-care. Definitely. 100%. But remember you are part of a larger community. Don’t shut yourself off from what’s going on in the world. Find ways to make a difference and I promise you’ll feel better for it and the world will be better for it.
If you have friends who might enjoy the content of Today’s Woman of Age, please do share this link with them.
Leave a Reply