06/02/2026
WHO's definition of health as more than the absence of disease, reminds me that areas of life - whether health, community, relationships, self requires active, conscious choice and practice.
Just because I'm not sick doesn't mean I represent wellness in all its capacity and form.
Respect, empathy and compassion don't simply exist because there are laws to say they should. Nor do they exist simply because we don't say otherwise or because there's an absence of insult.
They also don't exist because we want them to or feel they should. They are nurtured within ourselves and amongst ourselves.
In today's social media "connected" world we have constant news feeds that can easily overwhelm our nervous system- seriously wobble our emotional, mental & physical health and stability.
Faced with ongoing distressing local or global news, human suffering and depravity in forms we never knew or thought possible or with such influx, can feel debilitating and exhausting. It can shatter our world view of safety and normality.
And yet, to not know or to turn away or deny it's truth, is to live in a half reality. It diminishes/removes our power, voice and capacity to confront injustices, does little to create or join in communities for change to address these, and can block rather than harness our care and connection with others.
For those living through such trauma, it renders their experience invisible. It impacts healing, hope and recovery (how to move forward when the truth is denied, minimized, or not acknowledged by either an individual or as a collective group). It is akin to condoning it's existence.
And if we continue on this path, we may ourselves fall apart, it can fuel anger and bitterness, consume us, ignore our needs, force us to act in ways contradictory to our values and principles important to us (what we stand for).
So it is a fine balancing act- to be able to see others pain without taking it all on ( feeling ourselves trapped, hopeless and powerless) and a refusal or denial of its existence and continuance or facade of the ordinary.
Its being able to name what is unjust and inhumane, -without engaging in the same tactics which de-humanise, shame and blame - often the root of others suffering and vilification, even with those we disagree with.
To engage, share, reach out to other like minded groups or people for conversation and community can cultivate action in creative ways, and inspire others (reminder that you are not alone or powerless) and to find ways to live by our values even when finding it difficult to do so.
Small acts whether through our words, language or actions can ripple greatly -moment to moment so that we create change in ways we never thought, with others in ways we didn't think possible. It is hard to do when angry and bitter or with our heads buried in the sand.
So empathy is essential - it's part of being human; how we connect and care, not only for others but also how it is reflected in how we treat ourselves; catch and support ourselves in tough times and pivot.
