Are you terrified yet? If so, you’re not alone.
And that’s exactly what ‘They’ want you to feel — ‘they’ meaning Trump and the Heritage Foundation. Terrified, alone, helpless, overwhelmed with ‘shock and awe’ by how fast this is moving and how much is being done.
Why Fear Is a Powerful Tool — and How to Overcome It
Take a deep breath. There are several things you should know before you panic and leave the field to them, thinking they’ve already won.
First, the human brain is set up to notice negative events before all others. It’s called the negativity bias, and it’s why bad news has such a fascination for us. Looking for what’s going wrong in the world, and following it, had great evolutionary benefits when we were watching for sabertooth tigers and dire wolves. But it doesn’t work so well in the modern world, where focusing only on negative events means overlooking the good.
Breaking Free from Negativity Bias
Not true. Good news in today’s world pinpoints efforts we can join, work we can support, and strategies we can use and share with each other. We need to be aware of bad news, yes, but we should also look outside those dark lines. Don’t do their work for them.
The Importance of Choosing a Focus Area
Choose your focus area, something you care deeply about. A single area, at most two.
Right now, there are so many projectiles being thrown at us all that it’s very difficult to choose which to fight. That’s called decision paralysis, and it’s a common issue when there’s too much information to process. It’s what happens when we stand in the toothpaste aisle and stare at the display. Panic ensues, and we choose blindly or not at all.
And that’s what they’re counting on.
How to Stay on Track Despite Distractions
After you’ve chosen one focus area, stay on it. Trust that others will pick up the slack in areas you haven’t chosen, even if you don’t hear about it. Stay your path.
Why Self-Care Is Essential for Long-Term Change
Take care of yourself. This is critical if you’re to last the race. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Every safety briefing on every plane flight tells passengers to put the mask on themselves first and then help someone else. The same principle applies here. It’s impossible to help others if you go down before you can reach out.
So take the time to read a good book. Do your scrapbooking. Draw. Spend time in nature. Exercise. Meditate. Play, with your pets, your children, or in other ways. Come together with neighbors, friends, and family. Eat out. Go to the zoo or museums. Relax and recharge.
And be compassionate toward yourself. This is about progress, not perfection.
The Power of Small Actions in Shaping a Better World
Consider what kind of society you want and how we would get there. Then act to shape that path. Start small.
That’s what I’m doing with this blog. Part of my focus is on writing this blog, highlighting bright spots everywhere I find them, making them visible so others can follow and support them.
Strengthening Relationships with Nature, Others, and Yourself
My work here is based on three pillars:
- Honor and build our relationships with nature.
- Honor and build our relationships with each other.
- Honor and build our relationships with our Selves.
For a deeper exploration of how I visualize this work, please check out my other blog post here.
Share Your Story: Join the Movement for Hope and Change
I’m hoping that others who read this can share their struggles and stories during these challenging times. How do you visualize a better world? What are your focus areas, and how are you striving toward them? What bright spots do you see? What resources can you offer to all of us on this road?
Share your thoughts in the comments!