Tired and Sick of Trauma by Janice

A bizarre political climate. Wildfires. Frigid temperature deaths. COVID and flu upticks. Continuing wars. I sometimes feel like the whole world is in trauma. When I recognize that I am not strong enough or smart enough to resist these forces, I feel powerless and somewhat helpless.

So, what does it mean to devote my life as a Christian, even in retirement, to healing in an increasingly traumatized world? I am trying to figure that out.

I am drawn to the stories of those before me whose lives were much more traumatized than mine. The indigenous peoples of this country, whose lives and lands were stolen. The immigrants who came here believing the words on the Statue of Liberty “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” but who found only rejection. Those caught up in chattel slavery because they were deemed unhuman due to the color of their skin. Heirs of all these peoples continue to suffer today. Remembering these Children of God helps me keep my own psychological trauma in perspective.

So, what am I to do? I keep my calendar full with small acts of kindness. I cook a meal for the residents of a group home once a week. I promote interfaith conversations everywhere I can. I try to be a good elder to my shepherding flock. I volunteer in two justice-related groups. I have joined the League of Women Voters, and I vote every time I can. I write stuff like this. So, at the age of 80, I think that is enough for me to do.

I suggest that you do the same. Make your list. We can only do what we can do.