The war vs our lives

[Natnik98]

It's difficult to live relatively happily knowing about war atrocities around the World. Not to mention that it's harder for us vegans when we care so much about other beings. My boyfriend is an AuDHD, heavily sensitive, anti-fascist person and I can see how compulsive watching of the videos about Palestinian children being killed, about people being tortured, is making him really depressed every day. I think that in my case meds are keeping me in a better condition despite feeling awful about what is happening.

What helps you live while hearing about those more and more horrible events? What could I do to help my love function with balance (less harmful thoughts)? I tell him to keep focusing on things he has control over and not agonizing over those he just can't stop directly. Maybe you know some effective ways to be a part of the fight against inhumanity but not sacrificing all your time and mental health at the same time?

 

[Emma JC]

That is a very interesting and challenging question and there are no easy answers as we all have different ways of dealing with this crazy thing called life.

I think one step is voting and that may sound silly but voting, even at the local level, school boards etc can make a difference on up the chain and may eventually lead to people at the top that care and will participate in trying to achieve a more peaceful world.

I also do things like send out healing and love, into the universe, and hopefully that reaches some and it makes me feel better. Donating, even a small amount can help and I try to watch youtube videos of people that are trying to make a difference as that supports them and encourages them to continue to shine light on the issues.

I try not to doom scroll too much although I do read at least the headlines of various news outlets so that I have a sense of what is happening.

I think of the butterfly effect and the "put on your mask before helping others" stories, that in order to be effective in bringing peace and happiness to others we must first choose peace and happiness for ourselves. Exuding peace and happiness and kindless and joy will effect everyone that is close to you and they will, in turn, effect the others around them and hopefully that will spread exponentially.

sending you both peace...

Emma JC
Find your vegan soulmate or just a friend. www.spiritualmatchmaking.com

 

[Natnik98]

That is a very interesting and challenging question and there are no easy answers as we all have different ways of dealing with this crazy thing called life.

I think one step is voting and that may sound silly but voting, even at the local level, school boards etc can make a difference on up the chain and may eventually lead to people at the top that care and will participate in trying to achieve a more peaceful world.

I also do things like send out healing and love, into the universe, and hopefully that reaches some and it makes me feel better. Donating, even a small amount can help and I try to watch youtube videos of people that are trying to make a difference as that supports them and encourages them to continue to shine light on the issues.

I try not to doom scroll too much although I do read at least the headlines of various news outlets so that I have a sense of what is happening.

I think of the butterfly effect and the "put on your mask before helping others" stories, that in order to be effective in bringing peace and happiness to others we must first choose peace and happiness for ourselves. Exuding peace and happiness and kindless and joy will effect everyone that is close to you and they will, in turn, effect the others around them and hopefully that will spread exponentially.

sending you both peace...

Emma JC
Find your vegan soulmate or just a friend. www.spiritualmatchmaking.com

Thank you for those kind and thoughtful words. It really is a tough issue and there's no one way to approach it but I guess I like to know that it's something people also deal with and have their own healthy philosophy. I view little actions as those that can make a difference and affect others as well I understand my love's struggle. If he could, he would save all lives, I have no doubt. He's even started psychology studies to be able to help those around him But it's so exhausting to be caring about literally everything...

 

[Emma JC]

This may be way out there for some.... you are duly warned.

I thought a lot, yesterday about your post and my response and another thought came to mind.

I was brought up in an evangelical family and then pulled away at a very early stage in my adult life and have read and investigated many many different philosophies. One of those, that brings me a great deal of comfort, is that we actually chose the life we would be born into complete with family and friends and circumstances we would be exposed to and the time period, of course. If we have multiple lifetimes (reincarnation) then we have lessons to learn as we go as do each of the people in the world and all of us have something to learn. Taking this a step further, we are spiritual beings having a human experience and this current life is not the be all and end all, just a step along the journey - a type of school if you will. How we learn and live here and now matters and maybe we won't have to learn these lessons again. If this has any validity then all of those that are suffering and all of those that are thriving are also on a similar journey through life and it is their journey and their choice. We can choose to help others, of course we should it is part of our lesson, however I don't think we should fall into despair because that then assumes that suffering is all encompassing. Most of us have had bad times/situations in our lives and yet even during those hard times we loved and were loved and learned about ourselves and others. How we act in good times and in tough times is such an important part. Be joyful and bring joy.

I often think of @shyvas and the complicated task of destringing pigeons that is very important for her, such an amazing thing to spend your time doing. It is not something that I have any interest in doing and yet I admire her dedication. We all have roles to play and things to do and we should not try to save the whole world, just influence that part of us that is accessible to us. Being brought up evangelical made me arrogant enough to think that I could save the whole world, when I was younger, and that mindset persisted for a very long time into my life. I had it let it go when I realized that I don't have all the answers or solutions for anyone else and can only work on myself and help others where and when I can.

Namaste.

Emma JC
Find your vegan soulmate or just a friend. www.spiritualmatchmaking.com