By Maya Talisman Frost
As we watch the news about the devastation caused by HurricaneKatrina, it is easy to become much more caught up in the horrorand anguish part of the disaster instead of the opportunity todeepen our own ability to feel empathy and act purposefully.
Ironically, just prior to the hurricane hitting New Orleans, Iwas interviewed by two major magazines about the topic ofempathy and how we can use the news as a trigger for mindfulnessbeyond the obvious information-sharing about where to send acheck.
We can actually make use of whatever news we hear to focus onour own ability to connect to the pain of others and--key pointhere--redirect our emotion and energy so that we emerge as morecompassionate without getting dragged down into hopelessness.
Every non-profit organization in the world is the result ofempathy and directed compassion. Whether we're saving trees,feeding children, or preserving history, we are tapping into ourability to FEEL a connection and moving forward by payingattention to our heightened sense of urgency in order to planappropriate action.
We listen. We watch. We feel. We act.
Unfortunately, many of us tend to get stuck in one of the firstthree states, and instead of utilizing our emotion and energy,we find that it causes us great stress and heartache withoutseeming to help us--or anyone else.
By paying attention to the news and using it as a mindfulnesstrigger,we can see exactly what part of the process tends tohold us most stubbornly.
Can't tear yourself away from the news? Feel compelled to listento the same reports over and over? Step back and watch YOURSELF.Are you processing information--or looking for some way torelease your own despair? Information alone rarely moves usforward. We must take the next step and allow ourselves to FEELand then to ACT.
Watch your own emotions. What are you feeling? Once the info hasbeenprocessed and the initial wave of horror and compassion haspassed, we naturally turn to fear. What will happen next? Willthis affect us and our loved ones? What can we do to prepare orprevent this from happening?
In the acts-of-God category, it's tough to move out of fear. Wecan work the numbers in our heads, but the more we watch thosereports, the more we think, "These people never saw itcoming--it could have been a disaster in my own town."
Listen to the "what ifs" and "could have beens" going throughyour head, and then ask yourself: What can I DO?
Keep in mind that action is highly personal. Your response mightbe to pray or meditate or send love to all of those affected.You might go out and buy some bottled water to store in yourbasement for your family--just in case. You may use the news asa topic of conversation in order to connect with those youwouldn't normally talk to. You could use it as a reminder todraw your loved ones together more frequently and meaningfully.You might write a check, organize a fundraiser, or start anonprofit yourself.
What matters is that you reach some point of engagement in theworld. Use the news as a way to connect with others and deepenthat innate sense of compassion you share with humans around theworld.
There will be other Katrinas, unfortunately. The good news isthat you can learn how to skillfully transform sadness andhelplessness in order to become a more mindful, engaged andexcellent human.
Stay tuned, stay mindful, and stay engaged.
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