I've had so many recent conversations where somebody I care about has expressed how hopeless, flat, and frustrated they feel. In almost every one of these conversations, they’ve cited several disturbing things they've seen on the internet. They're overwhelmed by news, social media, and a wide range of conspiracy theories. At the same time, these people are living lives that are materially comfortable and almost totally devoid of actual difficulty or risk.
Here's what I think is happening: We're so stressed by so many things we simply aren't equipped to manage effectively, like the entire world’s social and political problems. And at the same time, we are not stressed enough by the things we are well-equipped to handle—like finding food or moving heavy objects.
Turn off the TV. Fold up the laptop. Put away the phone.
Look much more closely at what is happening around you in the real world. There, you will find all sorts of stuff that is absolutely worthy of your time, attention, and energy.
If things fall apart (as a result of any one of the countless conspiracy theories or legitimate concerns found on the internet), the very best you can do to prepare is to build resilience.
Rather than trying to predict a specific version of a collapse, we'd all do better to generally prepare for an uncertain future, which, by the way, could be great.
Let's take all the time we spend online and invest it in our relationships with family, friends, and neighbors.
Let's invest in our physical strength, skills, and toughness.
Let's invest in our spiritual and emotional health.
Let's invest in our local environment and community.
In these places, we will find the real magic of life. We will have to confront the challenges and messiness of doing life together and growing as people. But we'll also see the beauty that is all around us.
It is hard not to be grateful for this life when you're high-fiving a friend after CrossFit, or seeing a kid learn to ice skate, or picking a strawberry from your garden.
Let's see if we can't let go of some of the filtered version of the world that we're consuming, and embrace more of the world that is right in front of us.
