WHAT TO DO WHEN WORLD EVENTS ARE SCARY
- Sophie Shaw
- Jan 22
- 3 min read
My love,
There is undoubtedly some scary shiz happening in the world, you can't ignore it - and nor should you try to.
I often go too far the other way, and refuse to even mention the names of the people I feel worked up about. This is an over-correction.
Why?
Because the energy required to avoid these topics is almost the same as if I were actually talking about them. It's all effort and energy and attention.
Parents among us will know that all attention feeds the situation, positive or negative. This means that you feed the situation as much by cheering for it as you do by shouting at it, or gritting your teeth trying to ignore it.
We may as well mention it, because so many of us are thinking about it anyway. But let's keep it brief.
So. Yes. We saw a Nazi salute. Two, in fact. we should not kid ourselves that it was an accident, or that it doesn't signify exactly what it signifies.
It was chilling and deeply disturbing. And now what? What do we actually DO?
I believe (and if you're in my audience, I hope you'll agree), that it is our responsibility to be incredibly mindful of where our head is at - now, more than ever.
When world events are so scary, it is our responsibility to try to lead lives of high integrity. To have an extra focus on kindness. To work on ourselves, so that we maintain the highest possible vibration of thought that we can.
In short, to focus on love. Love of the self, love of others (ALL others), and love of the world.
We can chomp at the bit and rant and rave - and honestly, these would be entirely appropriate human responses.
We can sink into anxiety and gloom - also entirely understandable.
We can hide away from it all, under the guise of not giving it any energy - and if you choose to do that, I won't blame you either.
In fact, a media embargo - done mindfully - is a very wise choice right now. We are not meant for 24-hour news. I personally do not watch the news - and I still manage to stay informed on the things that matter.
What good does it do to watch and read and consume every little thing - and then be overwhelmed with worry? Does that contribute anything positive to the situation?
Anger can be a powerful motivator - but it is only useful if you actually have the ability and the bandwidth to do something about it. Many of us don't.
And I am very mindful of my privilege, in that I can talk to you about this, without fear, from the safety of my warm home.
But if we truly want this world to heal, it will not be through conflict, and it will not be through avoidance - it will be through love. It will be through letting go of resentment and learning to forgive.
This does not mean becoming a doormat. It means becoming someone whose boundaries are forged with love, not anger.
It means shopping a bit more mindfully, voting with your conscience, and dedicating yourself to the kind of self-care that allows you to create and contribute something wonderful to the world - even if that is just your joy.
We will fail. A lot. I fail daily. That's ok. We keep trying.
I've been reading Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach (highly recommend, by the way), and in her book, she talks about sending loving kindness to world leaders and others with whom we disagree.
That is HUGELY challenging at times like these. But we know for a fact that love heals. Not adulation, mind - love.
I've seen it happen - perhaps you have, too.
And love is big work. I don't kid myself about it, and I'm not tossing around trite platitudes. It's hard and messy, and requires you to be bigger than you thought you could be.
And it will change the world.
Basically, dear hearts, what I'm saying to you is that is more important now than ever that you stay loving and open. There is still so damn much to be joyful about and grateful for.
THAT'S where our energy needs to go.
Big love,
Comments