My Thursdays are always swamped, so I'm going to do tomorrow's post today!
I just watched a film for class that depicted the lives of migrant farm workers and some of the injustices in our society. While at college I have often felt bogged down by the immensity of the problems in the world, and I so want to help and make a difference, but meaningful, positive change can be so
hard. There are two options below - choose whichever one feels right for you, maybe do the other one a different day...
1) Take a step back. Take a break from the stress and the sadness and the pain and the fear. Take a nap. One of the most important lessons I've ever learned is one I think my mom told me years ago, and my advisor reminded me of just recently - that you are less able to take care of others if you don't take care of yourself. Another way to state this is "put your own oxygen mask on first". Our society programs us to push push push, go go go, but sometimes we need to take a breather and recoup - for our sanity, and to regain the strength to carry on. So take a nap. Really do it! You'll be surprised how much clearer your mind is and your renewed energy and ability to do do do - when you
wake up.
2) If taking a pause from the helping, the giving, and the doing doesn't sit well with you just now, and you want do do more,
do it. Do
more today and see just how much you can do. For others. For your community. For the world. Write a letter. Write 3. Cook a meal. Make enough to freeze or donate some. Get to a project you've been putting off. Help your neighbor with something she/he's been meaning to get to, too. Choose something - or multiple things - to
do and focus your energy on making a difference.
In life there are seasons - of growing, of resting, of blooming and blossoming, of wilting, of starting over. These cycles occur yearly, but also in a different rhythm in our lives - and it's okay to need that rest, for something to end so that something new can begin. Reflect on where you are, and what you need and want, then put one foot forward towards a destination you're hoping to reach. The journey will undoubtedly be rocky, but glorious and miraculous as well. Take that step - in whichever direction is right for you, today.
