We Need to Do More
That was the simple statement posted by one of my high school friends on Facebook several days ago. She was talking about a more robust governmental response to the war in Ukraine; many chimed in their agreement. I have another friend who, as I write, is on a plane to Romania to assist with the influx of refugees there. Even though he’s a specialist in humanitarian response, hearing of his deployment gave me that slight pang of guilt. I need to do more.
I realized though, that “doing more” is predicated on doing something. Certainly, the sheer scale of what’s happening in the world can be overwhelming to the point that we freeze, immobilized by anxiety or fear or futility. However, just as many of us are doing meditations or sending prayers to the people of Ukraine to let them know they are not alone, we must remind ourselves of the same. We are not alone in holding space for healing — that a collective consciousness for good can be utterly transformative.
“If you are part of a choir, you only have to sing a few notes, and then you get to rest and trust that the melody still goes on,” observed Laura Schmidt, founding director of the Good Grief Network. Though she was referencing action against climate change, her words ring true. As we look at the conditions in our communities and in our world, each of us, singing our own notes, is what it takes to do something … and then “do more.” When we buy into the narrative that our actions don’t really matter, we lose the opportunity to be a force for change, for good — for holding the light.
With March being Women’s History Month, this year’s theme, Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope seems quite fitting. From the National Women’s Alliance, the theme is “both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers … and a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history. Women as healers harken back to ancient times. Healing is the personal experience of transcending suffering and transforming it to wholeness. The gift of hope spreads light to the lives of others and reflects a belief in the unlimited possibilities of this and future generations.”
Of course, the gift of healing is not solely the domain of women; neither is it only for those who are trained in healing modalities. When we are kind, compassionate, empathetic, loving these are healing energies we put out into our lives, our communities, our world; yet it calls on us to begin where we can – within our families, our neighborhoods, our towns – trusting and knowing that each positive, caring interaction reverberates.
We can only create what we have the courage to imagine. I’m imagining a time in the very near future when unity, compassion, and love are the predominant energies on Earth. Please join me in holding that vision and add your own heartfelt intentions for peace on our beautiful Earth.
Melanie Davis-Jones (she/her/hers)
Executive Director
In Case You Missed It:
Philanthropy Journal article: How to Help Ukraine “Whether you decide to stay informed about the crisis, follow agencies involved in the response, or donate to organizations working on the ground, the people of Ukraine will benefit from your acts of solidarity.”
A group of Bay Area students, ages 5-12, have recorded pep talks full of kindness, sweetness, and hope. The #4 option is simply kids laughing. We need more of this in our lives! Call 707.998.8410.
Resources:
Article by Madisyn Taylor | When We Don’t Take Action, “Our actions shape our lives, but what we don’t take action on can be just as powerful.”
March is National Optimism Month | “While you can focus on optimism any time … and improve your outer and inner experience, focusing on optimism for a full month can really help you to make it more of an established part of your life.”
Shanti (Peace) Mantra | the Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu mantra is a divine chant for peace, compassion, and prosperity across the Universe.
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