Q: Wildfires causing cars to explode on the highway, floods and tornadoes wiping homes and dreams away, and islands sinking beneath the seas. I will not stop watching the news even though many of my friends have. How can I enjoy summer when so many are suffering catastrophic losses each day?
A. Thank you for your compassion and integrity. I share your concern and can appreciate why you are feeling “blue.” Sometimes when I watch the news I wonder how the rest of the world sees us. I also wonder what has happened to the people and communities no longer in the headlines—for example, over 300 fires have consumed five million pristine acres of forest in Alaska.
I agree, don’t turn away from the news, but ask yourself the following questions as well:
- Do your summer plans include activities that you absolutely love? If yes, give yourself permission to enjoy them.
- Are you taking time to clear your mind? Massage? Meditation? Yoga? Reading a book? Taking a walk?
- Have you identified a way to channel your concern? Note: You can go beyond financial contributions and deepen your knowledge about sustainability and climate change, or you may identify a cause you want to become more active in.
Finally, how are the adverse weather conditions impacting your business?
- What is the likely impact on the cost of food this winter?
- How has transportation been effected—time of goods to market?
- What is the likely cost of clean up and rebuilding?
- What jobs are likely to be created? Where? When?
I hope that you will find inspiration in one of my favorite poems by John Donne:
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend’s
Or of thine own were:
Any man’s death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.