Despair

Sometimes when I look at the problems our planet is facing, I feel despair. While understandable, it’s usually not useful. Despair shuts us down; it leaves us feeling helpless. I have found that too much focus of the huge problems leads to a sense of futility about all of the problems, and I fail to act on the things I really can have an impact on.

 

This is what I try to do, and if it sounds good to you, maybe you’ll give it a try. Make a difference in your own part of the world. Focus on what you can do rather than on what you can’t. Let your actions be motivated by kindness, goodwill, and love. Start with yourself, so that you can be available to others. Forgive yourself and resolve to do your best in the future. Then forgive others and accept that none of us are perfect. Most of us are trying to do our best and that includes you. Don’t let fear motivate you. Have some faith and just do what you think is right. No guarantee as to the outcome, but you’ll feel better about yourself, and that’s worth a lot. Spread some random acts of kindness; try to brighten one person’s life. Be grateful for what you have and stop thinking about what you don’t.