Do Something Because Something Must Be Done
You don't have to know what to do to make a positive difference, but action is needed.
There isn’t one thing that will make a difference in the world. There are many.
Sometimes in our fear and pain and confusion, sometimes when we are trying to process and understand something that is impossible to process and understand, we feel powerless.
We are not, powerless. Stop making that excuse. I get it. I don’t know what to do, either. But I do know this: Using my feelings of uncertainty to do nothing at all, only contributes to the problem.
The shootings and war and poverty and homelessness and insecurity, illness and inadequate medical care for so many, racism and the threat to women, the pandemic, inflation, climate issues—these feel so big. They are big. We are living with major issues. Just writing the list left me feeling overwhelmed and sad.
When you assume the weight of those issues while you are also trying to get the kids dressed for school and make your doctor’s appointments and get the job done and dinner on the table, it is so dang hard, Exhausting. Feels like life is piling on. Feels hopeless.
It is not. Of course. It is not. Do not underestimate your power.
But, the solution to any and all of these things is never to do nothing. We all need to do something. To take action. The problems never belong to just one person.
And when we assume one little thread of responsibility, we gain power. Feel better. Reenergize. We begin to make the world better.
We must all share in this. We are all part of the solution just as we all share in the grief. It isn’t only a woman’s problem or a school’s problem, or a black problem or white. It isn’t only a corporate problem. It doesn’t all rest with your ex-husband, or the corrupt politician, or the rude teen at the store. We too have a responsibility. We need to back each other up.
Do something.
Choose to be kind.
This has nothing to do with what others are doing to you or your kids or the calls made by referees. This is not dependent on whether others “deserve it” or not. This is a decision you make. In each moment. Every time. Stop the bullying at kids’ Little League games, at the office, at the dinner table.
In nearly every case of extreme violence against others, the shooter or individual who committed the crimes had been bullied, by students, or co-workers, and sometimes even their own parents. THIS is not the only reason they committed crimes—not saying that—just saying we are all hurting. Nobody needs more pain. No one.
Be kind instead of hurting others. Look out for those no one is looking out for. Know their names. Say “Hi.” Stop the gossip and the judgment. Unleash your humanity.
Advocate for others.
Listen, I get it that you may not agree with what I write, and the issues I support. But sometimes what others need is more important than what I want. I don’t want higher taxes and fortunately, I have good health insurance. But I do think it will be better for my community to have universal health care coverage and support for the schools even if it costs me.
I advocate for those things. Because it’s better for you, and my community, and the world. Listen, pick something bigger than you. Pick people over issues. Sometimes this might mean sacrificing what you want for the greater good, like a vaccine. I chose to get vaccinated because I think it’s safer for you, and that’s better for me too.
Give your talents.
Tap into your resources, expertise, and talents, and give those. Make sack lunches for the hungry people you pass, read with a first grader, and offer legal aid to victims of violent crime. Here are a number of ways to help families in Uvalde, Texas, according to this NPR story. Give what you’ve got. It is enough.
Write, call, and connect with your lawmakers.
You’ve got to be strong and loud and consistent. I know, it’s hard. Feels like no one is listening. But that doesn’t mean you stop talking. Doesn’t mean you stop trying. And VOTE. Every darn time.
Educate yourself about the issues. Know what you are advocating for.
Give money, provide information, and give attention to the things you care about, the things you believe in. Consider this when choosing what to back: Will it hurt someone? There are things I personally don’t like, but if that legislation is going to ultimately mean less for others, less freedom to choose what happens to their bodies, and less opportunity for education or safety and security, I won’t support it. I don’t want to cause harm. If we have something others don’t and we are unwilling to help, we will have nothing in the end.
And know this, in all sincerity, I do care. I do care about you. I do care about what happens to you. I value your gifts. We can disagree. I can still care for you. We can be angry and not hurt each other. We can offer compassion, ease pain, and show up—even and especially when we don’t know how to help—we must do something.
I do care. I believe in us. Even now.
—p
Yes, and…
Yes, and…
Dawna Markova talks about how we can make a difference by sharing ourselves and our gifts during this week’s Polly Campbell Simply Said podcast. This one has a lot of great wisdom and offers a little peace during hard times, I think.
In her book Living a Loved Life, Markova writes “…humans need to find ways to make possibilities from our differences”
Right now. We can do this right now. Make possibilities from our differences so that we are all safe and protected, so that we all have a chance to thrive. It starts in our homes, in our neighborhoods. It starts by taking care of each other. By looking out not just for the easy, clean, smart, well-behaved—but for everyone. Because we are all of those things. We are everyone.
Yes, and…
Last week’s notes talked about creating a rich life by giving to others and listed a few places in Oregon and nationally (see the Forbes Magazine list in the piece) that could use your help.