Throughout history, humanity has faced periods of intense challenge with wars, pandemics, and natural disasters creating enormous amounts of suffering. In the face of large-scale challenges, individual action often seems fruitless. Yet, when we look back, it is clear that it was the action of courageous individuals that led humanity through the challenge of the moment and into a period of greater flourishing.
With the backdrop of the pandemic still hanging over us, a frightening time of polarization in world politics, and the existential threat of climate change, many of us get discouraged or feel like our contribution won’t matter. Is there any point to taking action to impact any small or large challenge in front of us? Compassionate leaders say YES!
Pay attention to what you can do.
We can offer only what we have. So, take the positive steps that you can take. While they may seem small relative to the scope of the challenge, they certainly do make a difference. The impact of your action is real, even if you can’t see an immediate outcome or its rippling effect outward.
It can be daunting to tackle an enormous problem, especially when we feel overwhelmed or burned-out. Research shows that complex, large projects can be more effectively dealt with when broken into smaller chunks. Reframe the problem into bite-sized pieces, and see if that can help you move into action.
Inaction is a choice, too. Often the size of the problem discourages us from acting. Take note that when we choose not to act, we are making a choice that supports the status quo.
Initially, our own movement into action may only have a small impact on the situation we are seeking to change. Through patience and the passage of time, our impact can mature more fully through further action on our own, or initiate a chain reaction with others. Taking even small action helps mitigate our own feelings of helplessness and the associated negative health effects.
Build community.
We can’t do this alone. The need for ongoing support is two-fold. We need others to support our internal wellbeing, and we all need extra hands, heads, and hearts to tackle major projects and challenges.
To maintain our own strength and maximize our effectiveness, we all need support. For caring people, it can sometimes be easier to offer support and help to others than it is to ask for support and help for ourselves. Getting needed support is crucial to creating an environment for sustainable work and avoid burnout, stress, and depression. Help can come in many forms – a good friend, a family member, a team member, another colleague, professional support in the form of a coach or therapist, and even an animal companion.
While support is critical for your own ability to sustainably build a more compassionate world, it is also valuable in helping get things done. Breaking large projects into smaller chunks requires others to be working on the chunks that you are not, or even helping you with the parts that are on your plate. For inspiration and motivation, find like-minded people whose values and work are aligned with yours, and explore how you can support each other. There are many people who are yearning to contribute, but feel they don’t know how. Welcome them in and show them how!
Turn our limited nature on its head.
Instead of focusing on the limits of being just one person at one moment in time in a massive universe with a mind-boggling lengthy history, turn your attention outward and observe what is around you with a sense of awe. Take a look at a beautiful sunset, or listen deeply to the sounds of the forest, for example. We don’t have to do anything to receive these gifts with our senses other than pause long enough to allow such powerful moments into our awareness.
There are amazing, awe-inspiring elements constantly surrounding us. Taking a moment to notice them has powerfully positive impacts on our feelings of connection to others, our feeling of well-being, our ability to think clearly, and our willingness to help others.
While we may be but a metaphorical drop in the ocean, we are part of the enormous whole that the ocean represents. Allowing yourself to feel interconnected with all that is can elicit a meaningful shift in your perspective and mindset.
In closing…
Martin Luther King, Jr. said that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” When we find ourselves in periods when it feels as if humanity is instead bending toward suffering, it can be challenging to see the path toward justice. The history of humanity is filled with wars and disease more fierce than those we face today. If we will each turn our focus on the actions we can take, we can play our unique part in bending the arc of history back toward justice. Thank you for courageously doing what is yours to do.