Our twenty-first century world is overflowing with environmental issues and humanitarian crises. The air is gray with pollution. The oceans and rivers are inundated with garbage. Trees are bending in desperation. Bodies are stained with disasters. Minds are torn between right and wrong. Hearts are weeping from losses. Souls are haunted by injustices. As global citizens, we have ample issues to demonstrate against and advocate for. All around you, someone you know or have heard of is doing something to save humanity, protect the environment, or both.
You, on the other hand, might have recoiled to a hopeless state, believing that you lack the voice or an established platform to be heard. Maybe you are comfortable in the bubble of familiarity.
Whatever you choose to do or not do, you too matter.
We need people who move to action against those who stray from them. We also need people who continue to instill these values every single day, whether through practices and creations which teach and uplift others or outreach to those who are alone in their maladies. They are all equally important in the quest for a peaceful and harmonious world. Whatever the crisis your community or the world is facing right now, we need you to be part of the global solution.
You can do good for our world and it doesn’t have to be out there chanting, parading, or condemning.
Find out the missing thing in your community. Maybe that thing is a small change in your daily life. Maybe that thing is to volunteer cooked meals for protesters. Maybe that thing is to offer to babysit for others. Maybe that thing is to create a logo for an initiative. Maybe that thing is to offer skilled writing. Maybe that thing is to teach healing practises. Be vigilant of the crisis by being willing to receive the gift of creation. You are one of us, one of the world residents, and thus we are in it together.
You can opt to remain calm amidst the chaos and drama if that’s what you are comfortable with. Maybe being out there in the action crushes your sensitive self. While others are advocating or demonstrating, it’s all right to be quiet and take care of yourself.
We don’t have to take the same road to make a better change.
Don’t be guilt-ridden when others are working to reveal and boycott the misdeeds of others. They need you to balance their energy of action. You want to be a better person, not a hostile one. If you eventually choose to demonstrate against or advocate for, do it peacefully. If you choose to stay put, create, or do what would nourish or heal a living thing.
The world needs both extinguishers of darkness and matchsticks of light. You can choose to be either of them, or both.
Now go in peace and save our world.