I've never felt so afraid for my country. Things I never would have thought possible are happening. Every day there are new insults to the foundations of freedom and decency I always thought we stood for; every day another news story that strikes fear in my heart. I don't know what will be left standing by the end of the next four years, or what my country will look like, and I feel helpless and terrified.
If you're feeling the same way, let's sit and take a little time together to make a plan. Let's ask the questions straight out: How can we make a difference? How can we keep a clear perspective? And most of all: how can we stay healthy, positive and sane through all that's ahead?
In these turbulent days, we need stay as calm and healthy and strong as we can. The next four years will be, I'm afraid, an avalanche of jarring headlines and heartbreaking news. There are hard times ahead. Here are a few pieces of advice I've found and want to pass along. I hope to take them to heart. This Inauguration Day, I want to take an oath of my own to follow.
Decide how much news you can follow without getting overwhelmed.
There are going to be plenty of days when I know I'll be appalled by the headlines. But I don't have to go down that rabbit hole. I'm setting a limit, and maybe I'll end that reading time with a prayer, or some quiet minutes to let it all go. Then I'll go back to my own life and do something positive.
Look for ways you can really make a difference every day. Maybe you can reach out to a lonely neighbor. Volunteer to read with kids after school. Help someone shovel their sidewalk, or start a conversation with someone in the checkout line. A smile, a friendly word, a kind deed - these things matter more than ever these days. Below the political storms swirling above, what we each do still makes a difference. Remember, you matter.
Take care of yourself. Turn off the evening news to walk out and look at the stars. Set aside time to be with friends and family. Turn to hobbies that calm you and books and shows that warm you. And try to stay in the moment - take time to really look and savor today's small blessings.
Want to do more? Stay focused. Choose one thing you care most about and focus on how it affects you and your neighbors. Hunger? Your local food bank probably needs volunteers. Climate change? Maybe your town is working on improving its water quality or promoting solar energy. And your local political organization always welcomes new members! We can follow the national news, but let's find ways to make a difference right in our own towns.
The world we know may seem to be falling apart, but we can all get through this.
So this Inauguration Day, I'm vowing to take my own oath:
I promise:
to do what I can, here in my small corner, to care for my country;
to stay strong and calm in the face of all challenges;
to take good care of myself and those I love,
and to stay positive and to keep the faith.
Let's walk this road together, and help each other get through. Thanks for listening!
Heather Jerrie
January 18, 2025
P.S. Here are two articles I found helpful:
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