We all feel like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders from time to time. We're oppressed, downtrodden, heavy lifters who wonder if we can carry that enourmous weight any longer. What creates that oppression, and how can we deal with it?
When we or others feel that way, we need to make the time to deconstruct that weight, and figure out how to best deal with the burden. As an educator, I often felt that way, and now looking back at my years in the classroom, I realize that one reason I always felt that way is that I could always see and imagine far more than I could do. So as I looked out at my students, the day's routine, and year's program, I could see a zillion ways to best do the work, but of course there's not time for all those paths and that often felt like the weight of the world on my shoulders. I learned to coach myself through daily reflection, teamwork, and prioritizing which helped.
And still today as I look out into my day and the world around me, I see limitless opportunity to make better and do good work. I love the vision, but sometimes feel overwhelmed by it. Thus needed reflection and prioritization.
The people we live with and work with likely feel the weight of the world from time to time. They may seek our counsel or support at these times, and we can help them prioritize using all kinds of goal setting and time management strategies. For me, spending time writing about the big dreams helps me to outline the first steps towards achieving those dreams, then I can use that list to reach for the dreams in a step-by-step fashion.
Right now the Trump terror has created that "weight of the world" feeling in me--what happened at The Capitol was frightening, oppressive, dangerous, and sad. I can be oppressed by that, or I can act--what can I do?
- First, I read a number of articles, watched a variety of news shows, and engaged in discussions with others as a way to research the facts of the matter--I wanted to know what was happening with as much accuracy as I could find.
- Next, I made some decisions about my position related to Trump terror including the facts that at all times possible, I believe we should work for peaceful process versus violence. Trump and his teammates, in my opinion, clearly promoted violence. Next, I do believe we are a country of laws and those laws should be followed or legally changed--it was not right to invite so many to come and then incite them to break our laws. And, I believe that spreading propaganda and lies about the election incited this violence too--there is no need to spread lies and propaganda particularly from power positions such as the President of the United States. In summary, I believe that Trump and his team planned, fueled, and incited a violent insurrection at the United States' Capitol which obstructed justice, vandalized the building, injured many, and killed some. I believe that Trump and many other leaders should face the consequences of impeachment, prosecution, and conviction.
- After that, it is time to act on your beliefs. For me, I will continue to stay abreast of the news in a variety of ways, and use that information to refine my position. Then I will advocate for what I believe in via a number of channels. I began this process by writing to my congressional leaders to ask them to impeach President Trump as soon as possible. I am also moving towards crying out for jail without bail for Trump now as I see him as a clear and present danger to the safety of the people of the United States and the safety of our government. I've also shared my viewpoint via multiple posts on social media threads, and I will eventually work in other ways yet to be determined to help foster less violence and more good governing to uplift lives in the United States and beyond.