Carrying on amidst Global Conflicts

Thomas L. Friedman published The World is Flat in 2005, a bestseller suggesting that historical and geographical differences are fading, leading the world to be a level playing field, strongly impacted from activities that go on in all the regions. You would imagine a concept that holds true in commercial context, will also translate fully in emotional context. In current times, war has been wrecking havoc in many parts of the world, and tranquility in some regions stands out as a sore thumb amongst turbulence in the rest. Many of us wonder, how is it possible to carry on with daily routines in midst of such unjust suffering. While we try to do our best to help and keep informed in these situations, there are a few things that lead to a lack of impact.

Distance:

Physical distance leading to lesser impact of the events is an easy concept to understand. Out of sight, out of mind, works strongly here, a war that is happening thousands of miles away is more of an abstract concept than a reality for many. A concept more difficult to understand, is the emotional distance - this is happening to them, not to me. When you normalise unfolding events in your head, and they do not impact your day-today activities, you create a large emotional barrier transcending any geographical distance and it gets extremely easy to not be impacted by it at all. You feel bad about it occasionally, but it does not strike as something that needs your concerted effort.

Fatigue:

I recently read about the concept of compassion fatigue - emotional exhaustion and withdrawal encountered when you are continuously bombarded with distressing material. Media, along with social networks, tend to circulate material to create shock factor, as it leads to more views, a lot of times, the content shared is devoid of context and facts. While this format of information transmission keeps people informed, it leads to fleeting peaks in interest rather than educative information that can potentially lead to action. Regular exposure to distressing content eventually leads to a saturation point and people emotionally checkout from the suffering.

Practical ways to make a difference:

1. Keep updated:

It is essential to keep abreast of what is unfolding around you. While it is impossible to know everything, instead of gravitating towards ephemeral voyeurism, try to seek content that will be based on facts and will impact in correct and educative manner.

2. Support efforts:

Once you are aware of the surroundings, find a way of how you can make an impact. It is essential to keep in mind to not feel dejected if you consider that the effort might not be enough. Every action, however small, can eventually lead to a bigger impact, keep in mind the butterfly effect, and give your possible best, based on your own personal situation.

3. Educate, not sensationalise:

If you feel compelled to share information, choose your why and share information that will educate and plant a thought in another mind. It is always good to use your voice to create a more just and peaceful community.