Let’s face it y’all – emotionally, these are some tough times.
Our generation feels unique pressure of perfection due to social media, natural disasters are happening more frequently and more harshly than ever, gunmen are shooting down our fellow Americans ON AMERICAN SOIL in record numbers, and our president is more outspoken than ever before… Having us constantly at the edge of our seats, wondering if we will be going to war soon.
I won’t be the first to say, this can get pretty emotionally taxing… It’s downright overwhelming!
And while I DEFINITELY advocate for self-care and self-protection… The best way I have found to feel at peace with tough times is to DO something about it. Resting on my laurels, never did anyone any good! Eleanor Roosevelt put it perfectly when she said:
I much prefer lighting a candle to cursing the darkness.
We can complain and put on as many face masks as we want, but ultimately, we need to put positivity into the world if we want the world to be more positive!!! WE are in control girls – We have to #bethechange!
That said, it’s pretty easy to feel like nothing you do would make a difference.
But think of that one time someone said or did something nice for you that was small but completely made your day… Maybe someone brought you a coffee, or told you how pretty you looked – it can be THAT easy to make someone’s world a little brighter! Maybe sit with someone who is hurting, listen to their story… Whether it’s your friend going through a breakup or a homeless man on the street… We as humans need other humans’ acknowledgement. We ALL have the power to make the world a little brighter for someone – start there and work outwards. Let the happiness that brings propel you forward.
You can also send care packages! Whether it’s to a friend serving in Afghanistan or a perfect stranger in Puerto Rico who is without power… A little thought can go a long way. Not just for them, but for you too.
After I volunteer, I always feel better about life because it reminds me that I have the power to spread positivity and make others happy. Volunteer Match .org is a great national resource that will help connect you with charities… Whether you’re an animal lover, a conscious Christian, or have baby fever and want to work with kids, you can put in your location & preferences to be matched up with organizations needing volunteers! This is a great place to get started making a difference in your own community.
Think about it though- if EVERYONE went into their own community and actively tried to make it better… How great would our country be?!
Eleanor faced many hurdles because of her gender when she was alive, but she never let them slow her down. I could write a full-length post on her accomplishments alone… But I would rather you take away that she never stopped fighting to make the world a better place. So maybe next time you feel overwhelmed… Sit in the bubble bath and pull up her biography… Let her work inspire you to do some of your own.
Let’s agree to “light candles” instead of “cursing the darkness” aka- stop complaining and start making a positive impact!