The world is in turmoil, I cannot fix it, so I’m going for a walk. In solitude and silence except for the wash of the waves and the chirping of the birds, I will walk along the beach for an hour or two, and I’ll feel better.
I of course have the privilege of feeling better after a walk. I don’t deal with racism, classism and sexism on a daily basis. I get to go for a walk and exhale my stress while others worry about being harassed because of the color of their skin, denied services because of their gender, or arrested and jailed just because they are poor and without a house.
But yes, I am privileged on many levels, and live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet.
So I will walk.
When I’m done, I’ll return home, check my messages, connect with friends, go back to my work, and of course turn on the news.
Will this latest craziness spark still more? Will this serve as an accelerant to the fire, or will the conversation turn toward reconciliation and a recognition that we’re all in this together? Will more “shooters” take literal aim at other political figures on both sides of the aisle?
What forces that I can only imagine will now go into motion to take advantage of the instability that now permeates every corner of America?
Or will it all just fade away as the news cycle is interrupted by the next hurricane, flood, or fire?
I’m thinking again that it’s time to think global and act local. This is where we can make a difference. This is where we will find our peace and self-worth.
So please, go outside, at least for a few moments. Go outside, inhale the beauty of our islands, and if you are able take a walk.
Trust me on this. You will feel better.
When you get back from your walk, hug your family and friends.
Take a moment when you can, to talk with someone who believes differently than you. Listen to their stories and history that explain where they are coming from. Talking and truly listening to those who feel differently can help bridge the gap.
Do something tangible to improve your community. Pick up trash on the beach or at the side of the road, support a local non-profit that’s doing good work locally, and yes get involved and support candidates running for local public office.
Perhaps we cannot impact what happens in D.C. or on the continent, but we can influence our own local government, elect and hold accountable our own local political leadership, and help take our own local community to a better place.
Please, I implore upon you to take the angst, anger and uncertainty created by the inexplicable insanity of global events and turn it into positive local action.
Take ownership of your own local government, make a difference in your own community. Join an organization, sign a petition, show up to testify, send an email to those local decision-makers and candidates who need to hear from you.
Trust me. Take action locally today and you will feel better.
And yes, go for that walk. Do these two things and your world, our world will be a better place.
That’s it. Putting on my walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat … and heading out now.
Gotta get my steps in, get rid of the angst, help some of my favorite local candidates and remember how lucky I am.
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Gary Hooser served eight years in the state Senate, where he was majority leader. He also served for eight years on the Kaua‘i County Council. He presently writes on Hawai‘i Policy and Politics at www.garyhooser.blog.
