I’m gonna be honest with you. I do not read the newspaper, listen to the radio, or watch the news on TV. I know I should, but I have my excuses: I’m too busy. I don’t have a TV. Most of what I read online goes over my head. Deep down I know that it is important to be informed about what is happening in the world. I was reminded of this last week, and I decided to take action. I subscribed to a few CBC podcasts, and on Tuesday I listened while doing the dishes. “This is great,” I thought. “I’m being informed while being productive.” (I love multitasking)
But then I was listening, and I remembered the REAL reason I don’t keep up with the news.
It is too sad.
I am an empath: one who feels the emotions of others. The news that night was full of death, death, and more death. After the half hour was up, I felt sad and hopeless. I tried to distract myself by checking Facebook, and it was then I saw the image of the tiny Syrian boy, dead on the beach. A number of thoughts ran through my head as I processed this image, and I shared them with Nuni later that evening as I sat on the couch and wept. I was angry at the photographer for taking such a personal, devastating photo, angry at her for sharing it online, and for making me so sad. I was distressed by the hate, the killing, and the injustice of this situation. Listening to the news reminded me that our world is in a bad place. I don’t like thinking about these things, feeling hopeless and sad. I would rather just ignore it all and be happy in my own little bubble.
A few days have passed since I first saw the image, and I have some new thoughts. There have been so many posts on Facebook about Syrian refugees: political posts, petitions, and places to donate to. It made me realize that that photograph, although so shocking, so heartbreaking – was extremely powerful. It has caused people to think, and to act. I pray that Aylan’s death will spark fury in our hearts and cause us to help in whatever way we can. I signed this petition on Amnesty International’s website to call on the Prime Minister and all party leaders to increase Canada’s contribution to the Syrian refugee crisis. I donated to Winnipeg’s Refugee House. This story has broken my heart, and I’m sad and mad that I can’t fix it… but if we each do a little bit, together we can do a lot.
I don’t want to listen to the news, but I’m going to try. We all have a responsibility to be informed and to help however we can.
lindsaymuller.wordpress.com 
Thanks for this honest blog, Lindsay.
In many ways, we live in a destructive world, and there is lots of evidence. So it’s enticing to block it all out. But is that really an answer?
In some ways, it is a loving world, and there is evidence here as well. Thank goodness we don’t shut out all the love we experience in our day to day lives.
My conviction.- in beneath around above before after – we are loved, and we live in a world held together finally ultimately consistently everywhere all time by that love. For me, Christianity is the road or map that assures me that this is so. (There are other paths, roads, maps, of course)
So don’t shut out either the destruction or the construction.
And I ally with those who struggle for greater construction.
I affirm the tears, the sadness: and the struggle, the joy, the love of life.
I pray for those who confront destruction, for those who build up love
I support, by money, by effort, by prayer, both…..
Hallelujah anyway! Grampa
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being educated is one of the best ways to make the world a better place. eg. Malala You have the education, you have the empathy. Put the two together. Glad you liked my idea about listening to podcasts.
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