TURBULENT and emotional times

Last week I posted my thoughts and opinions on the turbulent journey we are facing. It was not an uplifting nor light piece.

Today I want to bring hope and light to the page. I believe we have to react with hope and faith in order not to normalize what is happening in our government. Hope coupled with faith helps me hold my personal beliefs strong and founded on solid ground.

But like me, you’ve probably been asking what can I do? how can I help? who needs me to come along? and more. And we’re watching for the light.

WHAT WE CAN DO

FILTER THE NEWS

One thing we have done in our home is agree to limit our intake of news programming by the media. We all are aware that today’s media networks tend to over hype the news they bring us. Media networks, like each of us, have a political preference which impacts their programming.

Here’s what we’ve decided has permission to come into our home daily:

  • PBS NewsHour will be the first TV news we see each day.  We appreciate the intelligent presentation of news items. Most often one or more opinions from authorities on the subject are included.
  • We then watch the late local news, usually on an ABC affiliate.
  • Other news arrives in digital from the New York Times, NPR News, NPR Alerts, and The Oregonian.

I am the only user of social media in our home. Stepping back from Facebook and Twitter to a low profile has drained a lot of the vitriol from my life.

I urge you to think about eliminating how much negative information you read. It has helped us meet a more normal balance of emotional health since the election.

VOLUNTEER IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Many opportunities awaited us before and after the election. These opportunities allow us to give back some of our bounty to the marginalized in our community. I have researched and found several organizations accepting monetary and other donations.

  • Look for organizations in your community providing help to victims of domestic violence. Offer your time or financial support. Domestic abuses heighten in times of turmoil and tension in the rest of our world.
  • Planned Parenthood is always in need of volunteers and financial support.
  • The ACLU stands ready to protect all of us. Why not become a member? If there is a chapter nearby, volunteer to help in some way as a writer, teacher, mentor.
  • The Southern Poverty Law Center functions to combat hate, intolerance and discrimination. The Center operates from donations. Legal fees are not charged to those they help, so donations are important.
  • Reach Out and Read is a nonprofit organization. Reach Out and Read operates to incorporate books into pediatric care. The programs encourage families to read aloud together. Reach Out and Read appreciates financial donations. Check out their volunteer page and find a way to find a program in your area and a list of ways you can take part. You can help by donating books, leading a program, reading to a child. What better way to give hope and promise of a future.
  • Volunteers often work with English as a second language students, both children and adults. Students learn to read and write English and converse. Check with schools and community colleges that might offer such programs.
  • Our local church home is one way we connect with the marginalized in our community. Often we help prepare meals for the hungry and work with Habitat for Humanity to build houses. Our congregation welcomes a homeless family a place for temporary shelter.

This list offers suggestions only. Each community has its own needs, and I’m certain  you will be able to find a way to give back. By giving back, our lives are enriched. In the current political climate, we may find more people living on the margins than before. To counteract our own feelings, we must act and offer some type of help.

ARTICLES FOR READING AND USING IN MOVING AHEAD

The following are articles which crossed my desk via my computer. I found them helpful. Some of the suggestions above came from the Nicholas Kristof article.

WHAT WE CAN DO AS WRITERS

I believe in the power of writing. Writing sends our feelings, opinions, and beliefs on a variety of topics out to others. We have to continue to write. Search for publications looking for essays, short stories (fiction or nonfiction), poetry and submit something giving hope to future tomorrows.

We can also look for writing programs in our communities aimed at helping young writers. One example I found is Girls Write Now, a New York-based program. Review their site. Perhaps those of you in large cities will find something like this to use your writing skills. WriteGirl in Los Angeles is seeking mentors to work with girls and young women. Mentors may be either male or female

FINALLY…

Whatever you choose to take part in–peaceful protests, a Veterans program, reading to children, donating food and dollars to the hungry, providing warm clothes for the coming winter, and other ways–remember the message to deliver is one of love and hope.

We are in early days yet and although things may still look dark, I cling to the hope that the system of checks and balances put into place by our Founding Fathers holds strong.

Ours is a great country. We have had our struggles in decades past but no one ever said America was not a great country until someone said, “Make America great again.” She has always been great, and she still is.

Think on these words, if nothing else:

Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance.
It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in
waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be
righteous as well as strong.

~James Bryce