How can we thrive in a time of darkness and uncertainty?
Take a lesson from Reb Nachman of Breslov and do not despair! Seek out the
good! “Azamra!” (Torat Natan #4, Likkutei Moharan I, 282).
We are living a moment of national humiliation, whereby our country – which used to be respected and viewed highly around the world – is about to inaugurate a dangerously unqualified and unpredictable individual to its highest office. We have created and are continuing to create a mockery of our federal government’s executive branch.
What can we do now? Each day we see proposed political appointments of officials planning to dismantle our social and environmental policies. These actions will jeopardize countless lives and threaten well-being on a global scale. This being said, what must we do as citizens and residents?
First, we have to look deeply within ourselves and others to find the eternal spark of good ("Azamra"). It’s amazing that when you focus on looking for that spark, you can find it – do not despair…!
Then, we must take immediate and ongoing action for social
justice. This struggle will be a long march and will be carried out on all
fronts – the grassroots level –policy advocacy and action and everything in
between. What are some strategies for
finding the spark of hope and goodness in these dark, troubling times?
Seek truth:
No matter how popular and widespread “truthiness” may be in the era of social
media and these days among politicians – we citizens and residents must continue
to seek truth! We, our journalists and bloggers must focus on facts and evidence-based
realities.
Organize: Join or initiate an event to organize for progressive! There are so many local organizations that have been jump-started by the recent election – civic action is flourishing and by taking part each of us can take responsibility for the future and open up new opportunities to bring hope to ourselves, our families, our neighbors and our communities, especially the most vulnerable.
Serve your community: Do something to improve our local environment – volunteer at a shelter, clean up a creek, donate snacks to your kids’ school, do something to make a difference locally and connect to your neighbors!
Pursue love: We cannot just pursue justice without love. When there is even a tiny light of love it can overcome even the most terrifying and overwhelming darkness of hate, misery, anger and suffering. We can all focus on the love in our lives and constantly find ways to grow and nourish those relationships.
Encourage each other: Hitzchazkut! (LM II, 48:2, v.23). No one can do it alone. We need to not only nourish ourselves through prayer, faith and action, but also encourage each other to pursue their mission with their full energy and faith.
To conclude with more wisdom from the Rebbe: Reb Nachman also
teaches that “distancing is nothing but being brought near” and that “G-d is
even the obstacles themselves” (LM II 48:1, footnote 3 & 4, pg. 180-181). We
have overcome many challenges – and we can overcome this one and re-direct our
country back onto the right path towards justice, environmental sustainability
and promotion of human rights. We just have to channel all of our energy into “Azamra”
– always seeking the good and using this energy to pursue our work for social,
economic and environmental justice with all of our strength!
