Injustice, especially on a structural/systemic scale, can make us feel that our actions are too small to change anything. Whether that is true or not, this way of thinking misses the point of living well.
The scope of misery in the world can be debilitating to think about. Thinking of gender, racial, geographical, political, and many other issues around the world can cause us to freeze in our tracks, hopeless that our own actions can help at all.
This feeling is increased by use of social media. Algorithms have developed to promote negative news 6 times more than positive news. Negative news brings about anger that often leads to more people engaging with the post, making the algorithm happy.
Being paralyzed by the thought of injustice in the world is a normal response, but that is not where our journey ends. The way to live well in the face of paralysis of action is to do the opposite, to take a single step forward to break the paralysis.
Some may say that a single step is not enough, but it is not up to them to decide. A single step, one action, can make the difference in how you feel about your own life and your outlook on the world. One step makes it easier to take another.
Your one step may inspire someone else to take their first step towards helping others, which may in turn inspire others. A protest or movement is made up of hundreds or thousands of individuals that made the decision to be there.
Individuals can be the ones to inspire collective action. With collective action, we can hope in greater change in the world. If enough people begin to care and take actions that convey their concern, we can make real change in the world.
Some may say that these actions are not in the interest of justice, but rather are self interested to make us feel better about our own lives. Morality and self-interest do not need to be mutually exclusive.
Anyone that has benefited from historical or current injustice may be in a position of privilege, enabling them to live a better life. People with privilege (of which there is a wide range) can help those without privilege by taking actions to elevate others.
Regardless of whether these actions are also self interested, the helping of those who cannot help themselves is what makes the world a better place.
Instead of getting lost in the grand scale of negativity conveyed by news and social media, consider how you can take one step to help the life of another, whether on an individual scale or a systemic one. If even one person is helped, you have succeeded.
That single action may inspire others in your life or on social media to do the same, paying forward your action to others by taking their own step. This almost domino effect can inspire larger scale collective action that can create larger scale change in the world.
Living well does not have to be about how much positive change you are creating in the world, though the more the better. Instead, it is about how each individual lives their life as a part of the greater whole of humanity.
We should work to improve corrupt or unjust systems and help those that cannot help themselves. It’s worth remembering that many places in the world are much better off than others. While people everywhere may be unhappy, misery is not necessarily equal.
Taking a step back to look at the bigger picture of where you fit in the world can be humbling. Think of those without clean water, food, education or safe governments. Think of those that never received encouragement and hope growing up, or struggle with mental health.
With tools like the Internet and blockchain, we have the ability to communicate and transact with almost anyone, anywhere in the world. These are powerful tools that can allow anyone to connect, which can improve the living quality and raise awareness for positive change.
Every interaction we have with another person is a chance to improve their lives by making them feel valued. Small actions can lead to large impact on the lives of others. When was the last time you took a step forward?
If you found this helpful or interesting, I would love to hear your thoughts! The more we learn how this practice helps each of us, the more we can collectively improve. Please feel free to leave questions or comments below.
Continue reading about philosophy for troubled times with: Finding Hope.
Find the full list of mindful thoughts here.
