I, like so many of us, wake up each morning and end up being confronted by media outlets that are loaded with terrible news. Devastating events are happening all over the world. Uncountable numbers of people are dying in war zones, in natural and unnatural disasters, or by fleeing uncompromisingly awful living situations in a bid to find safety and succor. Sometimes they find a secure place – sometimes not. I feel sorrow for them even though I don’t know them. I get lost trying to figure out what I can do to ease some anguish. The phenomena causing strife are so many, so far away, so unknowable. They are inextricably intertwined. It’s daunting to ponder.
I began to realize that I can’t meaningfully affect any of these remote catastrophes. I can make some modest donations to a few charities with a dream that this will help someone, somewhere. But I will never really know.
Over the past years, I have slowly come to understand that the main way I can make a contribution to people’s well-being is to narrow my sights to events that are happening in my own back yard (I don’t have an actual back yard, but the basic concept is clear): help to make a constructive change locally.
Even in attempting to drill down to specific areas in my own community, there is an array of troubles and concerns. Right here, hate messages are scribbled on the walls and mirrors in our public schools’ bathrooms. An abundance of cars are pumping fuel emissions into the atmosphere. Lack of affordable and middle-income housing for every age is prohibiting newcomers from joining us.
These issues bring me back to the same question. How to choose an arena on which I can have a positive influence – one that I can see and sense? I have picked a few things: reduce acrimony and hatred towards others; respect and care for the environment; and develop and sustain a community environment that is caring, accessible, and welcoming to varied individuals.
To work towards these goals, I act in small-scale ways. I write columns like this one. I compose letters of support for projects that I think contribute constructively to my ideals. Particularly, I endorse elected officials who share some of my aspirations hoping that someone cares about my opinion; I tell my friends whom to vote for when they ask; and I host meet-the-candidate events. When my selected candidates win, I can credit my efforts as being an infinitesimal contribution to their success. If they lose, I try to strategized better for the next election.
By using this approach, I have been able to address some of the impenetrable world-wide problems by shrinking them down to my own limited context. Laser-focusing allows me to know concretely what I am working on and, wishfully, whether or not there is a discernible impact.
Being local allows me to nurture a hope that what I do can make a small, but potentially meaningful, difference.
I always wish that we could do more.
Thanks Marian, We all need to do what we can at a level meaningful to us. I, too, am mostly acting at the local level — my community, my city, and my state. Doing what I can. Definitely keeps my spirits up — even though the local work can be totally frustrating too!
Fran
As always Marian, whatever your essay contains, it is filled with excellent ideas that can easily be applied and impactful!
Doing something meaningful on a local level is a wonderful way to realize the value of one’s efforts since you can actually see what has been accomplished.
However modest the offering, by being local you can see it was put to good use and therefore not wasted.
If the reverse is true, you have the opportunity to readjust future efforts!
Thank you. It is incomprehensible that all what you write is happening in the richest (probably) country in the world. Still, there is enough money to launch wars and spend money to kill people. Even animals kill only if directly threatened or for food: humans do it for power.
You are indeed wise, Marian. But we must remember that by adding our voice to others some long term/beyond local accomplishments eventuate. For example, I signed on for the march in D.C. to let Soviet Jews leave. Years after that march, I was benefited by a come-to-your home hospice doctor who aided me in coping with my husband’s last days; he and his family fled Uzbecastan, came to this country where he studied medicine.
Could not agree more. Thank you. The number of abused and abandoned animals is also at an all-time high. Even volunteering at shelters and foodbanks. Help us needed everywhere.
Beautifully put! The news has always been bleak.
We have moved to a new location. After a search, I have found 2 settings to volunteer: visiting the sick, and tutoring high school students. Both help me feel connected to those who need assistance.
Hi Marian, As always your post gives me pause to stop and think about something relevant in regards to making efforts to help create a better world, be it either within self, or outside of our immediate collective orbits. It can be difficult at times to see how the “gravitation” of our effort’s proximities to others can have a desired effect. Sometimes I am compelled for unknown reasons to give to a cause that perhaps I mostly HOPE will have a beneficial effect… Increasing those odds by sometimes referring to sites that rate the effectiveness of various organizations and causes. Thank you for your thoughts!
Dear Marian
You are a wonderful example to us all. I try to do my part to help those I need with hands on help and financial donations to causes beyond my scope who do worthwhile projects . Each of us has to find their own path to help the world become a better place.
Thank you for sharing . It makes us all think about our role in the scheme of the world.
Elaine Ades