Musings

[magenta]

The worst thing we can do in the face of despair, of horror, and helplessness and hopelessness, is to do nothing, turn away, become convinced that there is nothing we can do, so why bother. In some cases, what we do matters little, we are too few, too far away. But we can care, be a witness to the fact that someone sees what has happened. If no one witnesses, the horror can continue. Help when you can, who you can, all you can. Give time, give money, give energy. But when you are burned out, when you can do no more, continue to believe. We can make a difference, if nowhere else, in the realm of thought.

I am going through old writings, at the suggestion of a friend. What troubles me about this piece is the date: Friday, September 13, 2002

I don't think it's just my chronic anxiety. These horrors have been going on a long time, not always the same, and somehow, we keep forgetting.

 

Comments

[dreamshark]

I'm not sure why that's troubling. I find it reassuring that things might have seemed just as horrific 18 years ago as they do today, but when we look back it just seems kind of normal. It suggests that there is probably light at the end of this tunnel, just as there was for that one.

Anyway, what you wrote back then is good advice if you can manage it. I'm not sure I can.

[quility]

Yes - I like Dreamshark's take on this. You had good advice and yes things suck - but we do what we can. Thanks for sharing this.