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| Sometimes the actions we deem valuable are challenging to do, but if we invest good time and thought, that hard work almost always results in a fruitful, positive harvest for ourselves and others. Hard, good work does pay off. |
In this age of seemingly infinite streams of information, one can always feel guilty about the arduous work necessary to improve every sector of society. Long ago when information was not so readily available, I suppose people may have been less guilty since they knew less about what was going on all around them. Right now though we know about the poverty and hunger in Gaza, corruption and dishonesty in government, the war in Ukraine, the hostages from Israel, the vicious inhumane attacks that occur all over the world, the bogus imprisonment without due process of seemingly innocent individuals by the US government, the natural disasters, gun deaths and so much more. We hear less about the countless, positive actions that occur every day worldwide since there are so many more good actions than the sensational negative events that occur.
How do we deal with all this information as well as the persistent streams of requests for funding and support for countless good causes? It's overwhelming!
Prioritize what matters
First, we have to prioritize what matters to us. As I think of that today, my priorities include the following:
- responsible, positive care for loved ones and self
- advocacy for good government and leadership that supports good living for all (no prejudice, hate, harm, pollution, violence or corruption). I want a healthy, positive world.
- utilizing my skills, knowledge, abilities and privilege to help others and be a positive member of my family, friend groups, and society
Assess your skills, knowledge, privilege and ability to advocate for your priorities
None of us can be or do all things. We are all limited in some ways, yet we all have good capacity in other ways. It's essential to assess your capacity and your limitations as you consider what you can do to positively support your priorities. Back when I was a young mother and teacher, making enough money to support our family was a top priority. Teaching well was a top priority too. A great activity that helped me make more money and become a better teacher was to engage in professional learning that earned me more credits which improved my salary and helped me to gain good knowledge and skill for teaching.
At my stage now it's more about not spending a lot of money and living within my means and also advocating and working for the kind of society that supports good living for all. I don't want corrupt leaders that only work for their own profit and privilege; instead I want the kind of leadership that works for good living for all. I want to live in a society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. I know that's possible, but it's impossible as long as we have backwards, greedy, ignorant, bigoted, corrupt leaders.
So what do I have now that can contribute to positive change and support for my priorities? I have these capacities:
- time to protest
- time to support my family and friend groups in many ways
- a home to offer comfort, care
- enough funds to take care of my essential needs and a good time now and then
- skills to help others with regard to education and to make a few more dollars that I can use in positive ways
- the ability to read, write, and research which can support all of my priorities
- membership in teachers' unions and AARP - both groups that advocate for my priorities for my life and our society
- Contributor to positive associations including the ACLU, Amnesty International, DNC, WGBH and positive leaders who support my priority of a positive society for ALL.
Intentional, positive rules and routines related to the information out there
The seemingly limitless access to information can be overwhelming without a good set of rules and routines related to that information. Currently these are my rules and routines.
Information Rules/Routines
- Watch the news each morning and night for a short time
- Read the news via a number of worthy threads, sources throughout the day
- Share information I deem valuable on BlueSky, Facebook, via email/conversation
- Check information for reliability by finding it on three or more sites
- Supporting and/or reading independent reporters and information agencies such as Heather Cox Richardson, Democracy Docket, and others on a regular basis
- Following individuals who are intelligent, informed, discriminating and helpful with regard to my information rules/routines
- Spending lots of good time in the real world activities and interactions, a world outside of the online world which includes too much sensationalism and lots of lies/propaganda/sensationalism. My daily efforts in the real world demonstrates the amazing goodness and positivity that exists -- 99% of people I meet and work with are positive, helpful, and desiring a good world for all.
- Joining action groups online and offline that work for and create positive change and growth. For example I joined our local Democratic committee.
None of us can do or be all things, but we all can figure out what we can do to promote the best possible society for our lives and the lives of our loved ones. Clearly there's not doubt the a good society is a society with no violence, the protection of natural resources, quality education/health care, suitable homes/nutrition for all, no deadly/limiting prejudices and the freedom to be who you are and live your best life possible free of threats or harm.
One reason we are facing the corruption and challenge to our freedom, rights, and good living today is that many of us became too complacent as we enjoyed our good lives. This is a giant wake-up call for all of us--good living just doesn't happen, instead good living is the result of lots of positive, intentional actions, affiliations, laws, government and behaviors. We can restore our democracy and build an even better nation and world, but that demands that everyone does what they can to make that happen including me. Time to get busy. Onward.
