World in crisis: here's how you can respond - pt. 2

There is a storm raging in the world. A paralyzing and potentially lethal cocktail of a pandemic, rumours, protests and warmongering. Anxiety and uncertainty, both economically and politically, dominate our thoughts, our actions and sometimes our relationships.

How do we act? Do we react? Do we just let it happen? Or can we do something about it? Something that will make a positive change. Something that will help turn the tide.

There are different ways to act; some are better than others. Some we tend to do more naturally, but may actually work against us in the long run. The choice is ours.

What not to do: Hide. (Photo by Min An on Pexels.com)

In Part 1 we looked at how we shouldn’t hide, but rather find shelter. How to do that, you can read here.

2. What not to do: Yelling, Screaming and Aggression

People are confused and angry. Of course they are. In a situation the world’s in at the moment, it’s entirely normal and natural.

Often when big changes happen in our lives, anger and frustration well up. Anger is a common emotion when we feel violated, when we feel robbed. This is the case when someone attacks us, breaks into our home, or when a loved one is taken away from us.

The major changes that have overtaken and uprooted our day-to-day lives, our businesses, and even the way we do life with others, have robbed us. They have robbed us from our freedom, from our routines and maybe even our dreams.

Grief is the process that kicks in when major changes impact us in such a negative way. When you loose a job, when your family falls apart, when you loose dear friends or relatives. Grief.

Anger is a common emotion when in grief. It is actually an emotional stage people go through when in grief. They get angry at themselves, at others, at God, and even at the person or thing taken from them.

There’s nothing wrong with that. It is important to allow yourself to go through this important stage. It is important to acknowledge that you’re angry. After all, you feel violated.

What you do with that anger is a different matter. Do you yell and scream and violate others? Do you become aggressive? Do you become violent?

Do you get stuck in anger, blinded by the injustice done to you? Do you blame others and continue justifying your own violations of the same people?

If you respond in blind anger and rage you become isolated. You become hurt. You become bitter. You stay stuck in constant anger. #worldincrisis #anger #crisis
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Doing so, we hit the self-destruct button. In self-pity and blind anger we loose sight of other people’s humanity. They become objects to us, not people. They become punch bags, not potential partners.

What do you expect the others’ response will be? If they’re like you, they will punch back. If they aren’t, they’ll disconnect from you.

You become isolated. You become hurt. You become bitter. You stay stuck in constant anger.

How to open up to others when overwhelmed, you can read more here.

What to do instead: Ask Questions and Talk

Anger is not the problem, how we deal with it can be. So let’s deal with it the right way.

What’s the best way for us to handle our anger? By talking, by asking questions, by having honest and open conversations with others.

When you ask questions, you acknowledge that you don’t have the answers. You simply don’t know. This is a good place to start as it is humble.

Start looking at your anger with humility. Yes, you feel violated, but why? Is it because something really terrible has happened based on terrible motivations. Or, do you think it happened with terrible motivations, but instead it was to protect you from further harm? Or, it was to help you push you in a better direction you’d otherwise wouldn’t have chosen for yourself?

Then talk. Firstly, talk with friends and family that understand you. Share with them how you feel. Also share with them the questions you have.

Secondly, talk with people that may have access to the answers. These may not necessarily people you like or agree with. Again, be humble with your anger, be willing to learn to understand the bigger picture.

Lastly, have conversations with others. Do this with both people you agree with and disagree with. Don’t judge or resort to name calling. Simply, listen to their thoughts, engage with these thoughts respectfully, share how they make you feel and why. Engage respectfully with their comments on your thoughts.

Changes, restrictions, unrest? Feeling angry, upset? Here’s how to respond: ask questions and talk. Have conversations with those you like and don’t like. Be humble. #worldincrisis #anger #crisis
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What if someone starts raging at you? Don’t shout back, don’t become aggressive yourself. Simply have empathy with the other that they are hurting and are feeling violated. Empathize with them that you once didn’t know what to do with your anger, either. Ignore their ranting and send them the link to this post.

Go, ask questions and talk. Deal with your anger humbly, and from that place work to make the world a better place.

Read the next step of how to respond in a world in crisis – Coming Soon

Here’s what you can also do to improve your world: Become an encourager! Read all about it in my latest book: