It feels like the world needs a reset button. Can we just Ctrl-Alt-Delete this whole thing and start over?
I've spent the last few weeks trying to write about the confused,hurt, sad and worried feelings I've had the last few weeks, and I am struggling. I look at my children sleeping peacefully at night, and I feel overwhelmed - both with love for them and worry for the world they are going to grow up in. And it seems like there is just one hit after another. These horrible things that keep happening don't even include my usual fear. (Climate change, in case you are wondering.) There is just too much.
What do we do? Where do we even start? I don't have any answers, except perhaps to be kind and try to teach my kids how to be kind. Teach them to understand that everyone's situation is different, that people may be suffering in ways you can't imagine. Be empathetic. Help where you can. The number one rule in our house is be safe, be kind and be responsible. I think there are many people in this world who could benefit from following that rule.
On Saturday, though, I went to a birthday party for a friend. We all talked about how bad things seem right now, of course. Then I found out that another friend is pregnant with identical twin girls (!). And my friend Jessica (not pregnant) and I realized we have been friends for 18 years. When I drove home and checked on those peacefully sleeping kids, I felt hopeful. Hope for new babies and birthday parties and friendships that have lasted half my life. I know not everyone has the privilege of focusing on those things, but as cliche as it is, those small things can bring me some peace. Maybe the small things can bring peace to others, too.
Be safe, be kind, be responsible. YES!
ReplyDeleteThe small things do bring peace ... don't forget backyard barbeques/impromptu swimming parties!
Love you, friend.
That is definitely what I have to hold on to when the shit seems to hit the fan. We're healthy, we're so lucky and we hope and pray that we all stay safe.
ReplyDeleteEmpathy is SO important. Kindness is so important. When I see how cruel people can be (thinking, for instance, about Internet trolls who force smart, beautiful women to quit Twitter or something), I wonder, "Where the hell is your empathy?! What would your mama think of you now?"
I even see it at work. People get so wrapped up in their own projects, they can't see what other people might be going through or what fires they might be putting out.
It's honestly so hard for me to understand. And you're right, all we can do is try to teach our children to be kind, think before speaking and have empathy for others ("Think about how someone else is feeling," sings Daniel). Even when people are shits to them - you can't fight fire with fire.
xoxoxoxo
Lack of empathy has always been so difficult for me to understand. It frustrates me to no end that really, the best I can do is teach my children to rise above the hate, to love, to think of others. I wish there was more, but then I remind myself that Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
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