Finding Balance in Civic Engagement
We live amid a relentless stream of headlines and crises. It can feel tempting — and less taxing — to switch off, step away from the barrage of news, and seek quiet. Yet retreating entirely risks disengagement from issues that matter and diminishes our capacity to act.
The Urgency and Personal Dilemma
I receive constant prompts: notifications, emails, calls from friends, neighbors, and colleagues urging me to sign petitions, donate, volunteer, or attend events. The volume of appeals makes it impossible to respond to everything, but the impulse to contribute feels essential.
That tension raises a personal dilemma: how do I act with purpose while protecting my mental and physical health? There is no single formula. Many of us committed to civic or activist work wrestle with the same question.
The Need for Self-Restoration
The needs around us — locally and globally — are urgent and growing. Still, we must find time to restore ourselves. Learning to be satisfied with the meaningful efforts we can realistically offer each day is a difficult but necessary lesson.