Cartoonist Mark Kelly’s cartoon character Pogo once said, satirically, “We have seen the enemy, and it is us.”
That line comes to mind often these days when I hear people constantly complaining about the state of the world.
The truth is, a lot of what we call “the state of the world” is really the state of us. Most of the time, we’re simply overwhelmed by feelings of frustration and powerlessness and talking about problems we actively create, tolerate or amplify.
It’s easier to say, “The world is a mess,” than to do the slow, steady work of improving a community, a relationship or a personal habit. We all do it.
We tend to look outside ourselves and to others for answers, and when they don’t come, we feel helpless — and helplessness breeds blame. To make matters worse, we’re influenced by politically motivated media and social media that feed, amplify and reward outrage rather than encourage critical thinking and reflection.
So how do we bring about change?
We stop looking outward for someone else to fix things and remember that real change comes from the quiet, everyday actions we choose to take. We accept personal responsibility for what we’re putting out into the world through our thoughts, words and deeds.
These are the areas I hear people complain about most, and below are some examples of quiet everyday actions that can gradually begin to shift things for the better.
Self care is the starting place; we need to
Take time to rest, reflect and reset to quiet the noise or outrage around us; practice habits that keep us centered and support physical and emotional well being; step back from media and social platforms that fuel stress; adopt and care for a pet; find something we truly love doing; build and maintain social connections; teach our children that all people deserve respect; and nurture our close relationships.
Caring for our environment is important; we can
Quietly pick up trash; use organic weed or pest sprays instead of toxic chemicals that kill beneficial plants, insects and wildlife; choose practices that protect local ecosystems and reduce harm; support local conservation efforts; and reduce waste through mindful consumption and recycling.
Showing up as citizens improves our nation when we
Support candidates who reflect our values rather than returning the same people to office out of party loyalty; stay informed through a variety of credible, non sensational news sources; participate in local meetings, forums or initiatives that shape community decisions; vote consistently, not just complain.
Serving the community benefits all of us, so we should
Volunteer with community nonprofits like shelters, food pantries, senior centers and animal rescues; offering time, skills or support to neighbors needing a hand; attending local markets, plays and events; joining a club, committee or neighborhood group; mentoring or tutoring a student; and donating to organizations that provide essential services.
Bolstering our local economy makes our local communities more vibrant; we can
Spend money locally by choosing local shops over national chains, when possible; buy from local farms, markets and growers; use local service providers; and recommend all of these to others.
It’s not really complicated, folks. You’ve heard the adage, “Be the change in the world you want to see.” It’s simple but true.
If we want less anger, we need to put out less of it. If we want more kindness, then practice more kindness. If we want stronger communities, we show up for our friends and neighbors. We stop spreading gossip and look for the good in others — because it’s always there.
The world around us shifts when we shift — in small, steady ways that matter. It starts with us. We don’t have to fix everything. We just have to do our part.
Change starts small and close to home. It’s about taking first steps and doing whatever we can. Are you with me?
Lois Kindle is a freelance writer and columnist for The Observer News. She can be reached at lekindle@aol.com/.