The World Is On Fire, What Do We Do?

Hello, my friends and Valued Readers. It's safe to say that a lot of us are experiencing more turmoil and country-wide divide this week than we have in our lifetimes. Innocent people are being killed. Protests and riots are sweeping the country. The President is close to declaring martial law. Social media is a nasty place, full of threats and opinions. And all of this is happening while Covid-19 is still infecting people. I'm sure these things have sent a lot of us into a dark inward spiral of anxiety and emotions. We are overwhelmed with sad news and information, and there seems to be no escape or end in sight. So how do we cope? What do we do next?

First off, this blog is not going to encompass personal opinions. My self-help writings aren't meant for politics, race relations, or a platform to pick sides. I'm here to help people channel their feelings and push through their tough times. So let's take a quick look at how we can feel better and make a difference. Turning off social media to decompress is important. It's important any time, but especially when it's breeding so much negativity into your life. You're not running away from the problems, you're simply recharging yourself and getting your head into a more relaxed space. So for a few days, replace your normal social media time with naps, showers, reading, housework, TV, or whatever will decompress your mind and body. Focus on you and how you feel, and engage in more beneficial conversations for your mental well being. Don't allow anyone to force you into conversations that can harm your health.

Donate. Some people like to join the protests and rallies. If that's for you, then by all means, do it. But if you're physically or mentally unable to be in the middle of those crowds, there are other ways to help. Maybe you're really into a particular cause and you want to give money to a certain business/organization. Do your research to make sure your time/money is going directly to the source, and give what you can. This is an instant way to help being part of the solution and helping people, without having to engage your world in potentially harmful things.

Vote. No matter what side of the fence you fall on, there's a good chance that you're likely discontent with how things are going in the world right now. Again, spend some time researching the issues that you care about so that you can pick the candidate who best supports your platform. We are very blessed to live in a "free country", so our only civic duty is to pick our leaders. We have primaries coming up, as well as the final election in November. This is the most effective way to have your voice heard and to work toward a positive change. Every vote matters. Don't believe the outdated rhetoric that "every politician is crooked" or "your vote is useless because your candidate lost". If we don't have a hand in picking our leaders, we have no right to complain over how they lead. Don't lose your voice.

Through these things, you will not only feel more rested mentally, but you'll feel more accomplished for having done your part to help the things you love. You'll have made an effort to put yourself at peace, and then made an effort to bring some positive change into not only your life, but the lives of those around you. I hope you're staying safe. Love yourselves, and each other.

-Jason Burke