Stepping Out of Overwhelm
Oof! As an NPR reporter stated last week, “the world is convulsing in fits of violence and tragedy.” The latest publicly reported mass shooting was in Raleigh, NC - 30 minutes from me. Hurricane Ian wiped out several coastal communities in Florida. War still rages in Ukraine, and who knows what Putin will do next. The costs of housing, food, and energy keep rising with no corresponding increases in wages for most working people. We are weeks away from the midterm elections and the public conversation continues to be polarized.
I don’t know about you, but many days I find myself sitting with a greater sense of overwhelm and dread than is typical for this optimist. Circumstances seem dire and the people around me are frayed. Many are just coming back to their offices and in-person gatherings post-pandemic. Once solid relationships were strained in a workplace cocktail of remote work, distracted management, and fraught attempts at racial equity. We need time to adjust and rebuild yet our attention and energy are being pulled in many directions.
Amid so much that is out of my control, I’m trying to stay focused on what is in my control. Mind you, I’m quite imperfect in these practices.
Seek Joy
My soul is fed by moments of joy. I find joy in art, in nature, and while playing with children. A 45-minute walk in the woods calms me. The sight of a bee buzzing a brightly colored flower in my garden provokes delight. Laughing with a child reminds me that there is a reason to focus on the future. Art leads me to new vantage points. Without these moments of joy, I would find myself too stressed to think clearly.
Cultivate Connection
One of the things that I missed the most during the peak of the pandemic was random conversations with strangers. Now that my days are more social, I am appreciating friendly hellos, quick connections, and heartfelt conversations over a glass of wine. I’m seeking out people with different life experiences and worldviews. Connections with other people remind me that I am not alone in my days or in my efforts. I discover that there are a myriad of ways to experience even the most mundane daily events. My mind is tantalized by new questions and ideas. Are you cultivating connections with your teammates?
Sit with the And
With the return to deeper connections and in-person meetings, I’m noticing how easy it is to get caught up in a ping pong of ideas and opportunities. My women’s group has been focused on how we as white women become more anti-racist. The other night, one of the members bemoaned a focus on racial justice as she is worried about the demise of the planet. I’m not sure that we need to put one over the other. Both are important and require urgent attention. I also suspect that if we worked on these issues in tandem, we might find new solutions to both existential challenges. As I listen to conversations, I’m trying to mentally add an ”and” between each truth and idea being shared. I’m hoping it will make me more open to opposing viewpoints.
Make Choices
Though I want to sit with the complexity of many vantage points and opinions, I don’t want to be paralyzed into inaction. There’s too much at stake. I’m speaking up about equity and justice. I’m asking the tough questions. I’m encouraging my clients to make choices, to find low risk ways to try out new ideas. I’m setting aside the tasks that are more busywork than real work. I’m showing up to learn about new ideas.
The road is getting steeper for those of us who work in nonprofits, who believe that a better world is possible. The four practices above are sustaining me as I make my way up the hill, hopefully mobilizing others as we travel. What are your practices?
What I Will Be Reading
One of my choices this weekend was to listen in on a conversation with Priya Parker and Anand Giridharadas about Anand’s new book, The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy. I’m really intrigued by Anand’s exploration of those who are bridging divisions.
Seems like it will be a thoughtful read, especially for activists, organizers, and anyone needing to bring together people to advance change. You can find the prologue at the link above.