Keep Trying to Make a Difference
"Even though we cannot solve a problem, we are not free to desist from trying."
The Daily News and Your Central Nervous System
Consider this a reminder: unless your job depends on it, paying attention to the news all the time is generally a bad idea. It’s just going to stress you out, even during “normal” times.
Also, if you’re looking for something to be outraged about—it’s not going to be hard to find! Remember that the modern-day news cycle, regardless of your political beliefs, is designed to keep you upset and engaged. The algorithms and business models behind news outlets are optimized for maximum engagement, not your wellbeing. So for all these reasons and more, I don’t think it’s a great idea to stay glued to it all the time.
But I also think that giving up and tuning out completely is the wrong response. Being empathetic means we don’t turn a blind eye to bad things that are happening. It doesn’t seem right or fair to entirely disappear.
How to reconcile these two ideas?
A few years ago, a reader sent me an encouraging note that referenced a Jewish dictum:
"Even though we cannot solve a problem, we are not free to desist from trying."
I’ve thought a lot about this principle ever since. In a time of distress, it feels like a pretty good way to live. Can you, on your own, solve the big problems of the world? Probably not! If your end goal is to solve the problem, you might live in a state of discouragement much of the time.
But should you give up and stop trying? Well, that’s not great either. Shouldn’t you do whatever you can to help with something, regardless of whether it helps with everything?
Compare this approach to the more typical advice of “Don’t worry about what you can’t control.”
You’re still going to worry about stuff
Trying to solve a problem gives you an action step
You don’t have to succeed, you just have to TRY
Generally speaking, I’ve found that telling someone (or even telling myself) “don’t worry” doesn’t tend to work very well. Whereas deciding that you should do something, regardless of the outcome, gives you an action step and a direction.
If it seems like the world is ending and everything is falling apart, perhaps this is a good thing to focus on. Your nervous system will thank you, and you might just make a bigger difference along the way.
P.S. A few people I know who are making a difference:
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” — Howard Thurman
This is great advice when the world can seem chaotic and out of control. Over the years I’ve been given two prices of advice that really help. One is to look for the helpers. See who is helping others and work with the them. Also, everything is local. The best chance of making change happens at the local level so get involved and start there. As you said everything starts with action.