Pat Taub
If you care about justice and human dignity, last week was a very bad week.
The Senate’s impeachment trial turned into a farce. While we were distracted by the Senate’s circus, Trump was busy adding to his list of egregious crimes: gutting the clean water act and adding six African countries to his travel ban.
A cartoon depicting Sen. McConnell as Trump’s puppet
As our country morphs into a Fascist state ruled by Herr Donald it’s tempting to throw in the towel and give up. It doesn’t take much to feel overwhelmed by the Herr’s evil acts: the caging of migrant kids, deregulating virtually all of our environmental protections, escalating international tensions—the list goes on and on and on.
I get it. I feel overwhelmed a lot too. Research bears out that when we give up, we actually feel worse. When we engage in a social justice cause, no matter how small, we feel better. We feel productive and connected to what’s good in the world.
A small, committed group of Mainers protesting the caging of migrant children
When I offered my pep talk to get involved as the antidote to despair, I met with resistance by two close friends. One insisted, “I have compassion fatigue.” Another friend warily commented, “I feel sucker-punched by the news on a daily basis.”
To stop feeling defeated, step back, take a deep breath and focus on strengthening your empowerment repertoire. This break will fortify you for moving forward.
For suggestions on self-empowerment I solicited ideas from the WOW Facebook page where I asked members to tell me what they do to feel empowered. Among the comments I received:
“When I’m beginning to feel insecure I just say to myself, ‘I’ve got the Power! No excuses needed, no explanation needed.’ It works for me.”—Patricia, Syracuse, NY
“Embrace the spiritual. That we are here on earth temporarily, so wear this life and all that happens in it like a loose garment.’-–Kit, Minnesota
“Do something wonderful for someone else. Then accept help with grace when you need it. Both feel wonderful.”-–Jane, Maine
“For me, empowerment is taking a negative situation or experience and turning it into a positive through attitude and action.”-–Christine, Rhode Island
“Have no regrets. Understand them as a lesson learned. Find the good in all of us. Look at the beauty.”-–Anne, Maine
“I create untrue stories in my head that I buy hook, line and sinker: “I’m not good enough . . All these stories as well as judgment stories about others cause me suffering and at least deserve to be questions to see what the Truth really is.”-–Marji, New York
Toni Kief, author, who feels empowered writing about Mildred, an older female detective
“Practice using my voice instead of being wary about saying how I really feel.”-–Walker, Virginia
“Respecting the power of feelings while dismissing their hold on wisdom.”-–Emma, Maine
A few years ago when I interviewed Medea Benjamin, a co-founder of Codepink, the peace and justice organization, I asked her how she stayed positive in the light of so much depressing news. She told me, through her activism, she meets people from all over the world working for justice. They give her hope and keep her commitment alive.
Medea Benjamin, who finds hope in protesting with fellow activists
Hope is the opposite of giving up.
The next time you and your friends slide into despair talk, try to list what makes you feel hopeful. When we’re in “give-up mode,” we can be blind to the positive actions all around us. I feel hopeful reading about the young climate activists; the dedicated volunteers at the border, providing meals and schooling for migrant families; and the groundswell of progressive women running for office.
As Margaret Mead famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
