A Devastating Wave of Loss Grips the World as Innocent Lives Are Cut Short
How is your soul? What do you need during this time?
Are you struggling to come to terms with the countless atrocities happening around the world? That helplessness and feeling of being overwhelmed can make you want to curl up, shut off all electronics, and imagine it’s not happening. I mean … the sheer magnitude of suffering is astonishing.
God, the world seems dark right now — too dark to see hope. What are You inviting us to do? Show us signs of hope.
Our eyes … can they withstand the level of suffering being shown?
Our ears … how do we tune out the sobs of children and parents?
Our hearts and minds seek justice and hope so we don’t crumble in the weight of heartbreak.
Show us how we can be of help. Help us search for ways to honor and dignify humanity, however small it might be. Let our deeds and prayers be an encouragement to others as we sit in our understanding of privilege and fortune.
It’s impossible to ignore the atrocities that occur every day unless you intentionally shut off your electronics or avoid social media and news.
You witness war, injustice, poverty, and suffering on a global scale, which can weigh heavily on your soul. Navigating the challenging terrain of what and who to believe as well as managing your inner peace can feel like too much.
How do we sit with Grace and Mercy to dignify humanity while keeping a sense of our own inner peace?
Even in the darkest of days, humanity deserves dignity. You want to be honored, right? And so do others.
And so do others.
So, as you watch and listen to the horrific news near and far, remember to connect with your spiritual self. It is there that you will hear and see how to dignify humanity while tending to your own well-being.
Accept Reality
Acknowledging the existence of atrocity is the first step. You can ignore or deny it, but you will end up disconnecting completely, and last I checked, ignorance doesn’t get you anywhere. When you can accept the reality of what’s happening, you open yourself up to a profound understanding and genuine desire to make a positive difference.
That doesn’t mean you don’t manage your own well-being in the process. If accepting reality means you need to go slow, then go slow.
Mindful Awareness
This is a powerful tool that helps you stay present in the world. When you are being mindful, you are paying attention to the present moment without judgment.
I know … so hard to do!
When you’re confronted with atrocities, use mindfulness to observe your emotional responses and thoughts. This allows you to respond to the situation with more clarity and grace.
Meaningful Action
Sitting with the atrocities does not mean you are passive. No. Spiritual growth means you take meaningful action to help alleviate suffering.
Consider ways that you can do that: donating to charities, advocating for change in your community, or volunteering with organizations that are already making a difference. Small actions of kindness have a ripple effect to create a more dignified world, and you are a part of that world, so don’t think you need to sit on the sidelines. You have a voice. Go use it.
Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God. — Matthew 5:9
Maybe it means calling a government official. If you’re in the US, that would be a Senator or Congressperson. Host a dinner for neighbors or like-minded people to talk about ways you can all act as a group.
Cultivating Compassion
At the heart of dignifying humanity is compassion. As you develop your empathy muscle, you notice a new genuine concern for the welfare of others. That’s why your heart is breaking to begin with.
As you lean into your compassion, you can transcend your own pain and discomfort by practicing the loving-kindness meditation (detailed in the Putting it into Practice section) or by sitting in contemplative meditation with God.
Meditation is not to get out of society, to escape from society,
but to prepare for a reentry into society.― Thích Nhất Hạnh
Find Solace in Your Spirituality
If your comfort zone involves prayer, meditation, or connecting with God in your own way, then do that. The more you indulge in those practices, the more you will cultivate inner strength, peace, and resilience so you don’t become overwhelmed.
Self-Care
Don’t forget to take care of yourself. Self-care is not an act of selfishness. It is a necessity. Engage only in activities that refresh and recharge your spirit. Cultivate a daily practice of gratitude, understanding its value of resilience for your soul. A well-nourished soul can better serve the world, and resilience allows you to bounce back from adversity to continue your mission to dignify humanity.
Reflection Questions
How can you best balance your emotional response to the visual and audible horrors that your soul is ingesting while cultivating a desire to take meaningful action? In other words, how can you allow your empathy to guide you to take positive steps that will have a ripple effect in the world?
How does your spiritual and belief system help you cope? How can you deepen that connection to find more solace and purpose?
What would you like to say to God in the process? Think about writing a letter to God. Let your anger, pain, and heartbreak bleed onto your screen or paper.
Putting it into practice
Practice the loving-kindness meditation
Make sure to be in a comfortable position — whatever that means for you.
First start with silence, focusing on your breath. Bring awareness to your breath as you inhale and exhale. Take notice of the sensation of each inhale and exhale as the air flows into your nostrils, making its way through your body and lungs and leaves through your mouth.
Spend one minute in silence. Allow the silence to embrace you like a hug.
Choose one person who has your best interest at heart. Choose someone who has extended special kindness or support to you. It doesn’t have to be someone current.
Imagine they are sitting in front of you, smiling. They are wishing you joy and happiness. Imagine they are doing this with their smile.
Continue to breathe, inhaling and exhaling all their goodness and joy into your soul. Take time to relish in the warmth and goodness they are offering you.
Spend one minute in silence again, allowing the silence to embrace you in a hug.
Now imagine a person or group of people that you would like to send loving-kindness to. Imagine that person or group is right in front of you. Recognize that they are human, just like you. They are also children of God, just like you.
Inhale: May you be safe.
Exhale: May you be protected.
Inhale: May you be free from harm.
Exhale: May you know peace.
Because of You, Lord, I can lie down in peace. Sleep comes at once because no matter what happens, I live unafraid. —Ps. 4:8
Participate in Interfaith or Interbelief Dialogues
Engage with an interfaith community. Learn from one another. Make sure to be careful to listen when it’s important to listen and only speak when you sense it is appropriate.
Look for the common ground of a shared commitment to dignify humanity and alleviate suffering. Allow your spiritual grounding to expand as you connect with like-minded individuals who also want peace and dignity for humanity.
May you go gently into the world, sprinkling kindness, peace, and compassion everywhere you go. May you sit with your emotions as you witness unrest and violence in the world.
May you know that you carry Peace within you.
May you know that you are loved because you matter.
May your soul be refreshed.
sdg © Nancy Blackman