Eight Ways to Deal With Today's Chaotic World

Last week was awful.  Threats, anger, fear, confusion.  Leaders making terrifying statements. The news in disagreement as to whether we should be very afraid or shrug and go back to watching TV.  Then Charlottesville. A horrifying display of the lowest humans have to offer.  Racism – so ugly. So detestable.  I thought maybe we had gotten past the worst of this in the 60’s. The 1960’s and the 1860’s.  And as I watched the ugliness transpire on the news, I felt totally powerless over this resurgence of White Supremacy.  I also feel powerless that nuclear war has become a real possibility again.  Thought we had moved mostly past that, too.  

I am not so naïve that I didn’t know that all this stuff was bubbling underneath the surface of our country and the world.  The severe partisanship of the past decade or two has made that clear.  But here is my problem. I don’t want to hate. ANYONE.  I can hate ideas that I find abhorrent.  I can hate behavior. But people. I don’t want to hate people.  I believe in free speech – even if it expresses ideas that are revolting.  But violence. No.  Not how we do it here in this country.  Well, at least, not how we should be doing things.  And advocating violence against others because of their race, religion or choices – No.  There have been too many voices out there suggesting violent solutions as good options.  So I find myself deeply concerned and disturbed at what seems to be happening.  So what can I do? Realistically. Rationally.  This is my list of how to deal with this current environment of chaos:

1.     Prayer – I have to start here.  I can pray.  Pray for those that are angry, for those that are hurting. I can pray for those who feel marginalized and left out. I can pray for the families of those that have died or were wounded.  I can pray for our leaders. Prayer calms me down. It helps focus me on what the problems might be.

2.     I can give – Money, time, and effort to groups that promote peace. To groups that help others.

3.     I can speak peace - I can speak kindness.  I can use words intelligently when I am on social media.  I am sorry to say that I have seen far too many people I know saying the most horrific things to each other. It saddens me deeply. Anger, fear, dissension gets us nowhere. It creates a bigger divide. 

4.     I can listen – to everyone. This is really hard. But if we don’t hear what others are saying, we can’t begin to have a real conversation. Some people are coming from a very dark place.  But not everyone is. Some people don’t know what to think and are easily led. Some are afraid and confused and want their world to be different, so they strike out at who they think is causing the problem.  The media sadly, feeds into people’s fears on BOTH sides.

5.     I can get involved – in positive ways. Peaceful protests are fine. But volunteering to help the causes that will ease suffering can go a long way.

6.     I can learn – about the issues.  I can learn for myself from a variety of sources about the problems with healthcare, about the underlying issues with China or North Korea.  This involves more than just watching one news program or reading only articles that support my view.

7.      I can be a better person – in my own sphere of influence.  I can listen, speak peace, give time and support to my own family, or to my children’s school, at my church, or work.   At my water aerobics class the other day, a woman was saying how Christians were responsible for all this.  We are friends and I gently reminded her that I am a Christian and many of us know that our first and foremost job is to LOVE and care for each other.

8.     And finally I can put myself on a news-diet – I can turn off the TV, the computer and the iPhone. Not forever. Just for a few hours everyday.  I could spend the time being creative, walking the dog, reading a book, and sitting outside. I could focus on what is right with our country and my life.  The news will still be there screaming “Be very afraid.” And I can tune back in whenever I want.  Lately, I have been trying to limit myself to only one hour a day of dreadful news.  I am not always successful. But on the days I spend less time watching or reading about the latest outrage from Twitter, I really do feel better.

I know this is a gentle list. I know that it won’t solve the North Korean crisis.  I know that there will still be prejudice and anger and confusion.  But the world is made up of individuals… we each contribute to the whole.  I know I could be kinder and gentler. I could be more loving. I know that I can at least try to be a voice of peace and calm. Maybe you could try, too.  Maybe we could all breathe deeply, and take a collective step back from the brink.  It’s not too late.