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The other day I was reading a sermon from one of my favorite pastors; it happened to be about how to respond to disappointment. It felt incredibly timely, so I wanted to share some wisdom. One thing he talked about was that disappointment is everywhere; everyone faces some kind of disappointment in their life.
If you’ve paid any attention to the news lately, you know exactly what I mean. These are uncertain times. Many, including myself, feel the weight of anxiety, uncertainty and concern for what lies ahead.
Politically speaking, it's been an interesting few months. New presidential administrations always come with a little bit of upheaval, but I’m not the only one who’s been feeling a little more stressed about the state of things than usual with all that’s going on in the world.
Between questionable cabinet picks, downright terrifying executive orders and the fact that basically our entire government has been sold out to tech billionaires who probably couldn't tell you what a loaf of bread costs, there’s certainly a lot to feel uneasy, angry and nervous about.
I've been struggling to find the balance between staying up to date with current events and not crashing out because of said events. When Trump first won the election, I ended up deleting all social media for a little while because every time I picked it up, there was something else to worry about. I’m not advocating shutting the world out entirely, but it's what I needed to keep some semblance of sanity at the time.
If that's what you need too, I won’t judge. It's essential to find a balance that works for you. Staying informed is important but so is protecting your mental health. Take breaks when needed and remember that it's okay to prioritize your well-being over constant updates.
I will say this much, while it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of the world, we are not the first to navigate difficult times, nor will we be the last. Look to history, and you will see that we come from a long line of people who had the courage to never lose hope. Even though they were everyday people, what made them leaders was their steadfast hope. This hope allowed them to keep fighting for the ideals they held in their hearts and helped them to never lose sight of what the future of equality could be.
They persisted, and so shall we.
Furthermore, we must resist letting chaos and hatred divide us. It’s important to remember that the goal of hate-driven policies is to always cause panic and fear. Hate thrives on division; it seeps into our news feeds and our social media. But have confidence in this: there is no hatred in the world stronger than the love we have for our families, our neighbors and our communities. It is this love that we must protect at all costs. To overcome the challenges of today, we must come together, support one another and focus on our shared humanity. By fostering unity and compassion, we will take steps toward a brighter future.
An increase in hate from the world around us means that now we must fight even harder to protect our loved ones and to search even more relentlessly for light in the darkness. We must stand firm in our commitment to justice and equality, ensuring that our actions reflect the love and hope that guide us.
The pastor I was reading from, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was incredibly renowned for his speeches and sermons. In this particular sermon on dealing with disappointment, he says that the answer lies in “developing the capacity to accept the finite disappointment and yet cling to the infinite hope.”
In the face of uncertainty, we must remind ourselves that despair is not an option. History has shown us that progress is made not by those who give in to fear but by those who choose to hope and act. The challenges before us may seem overwhelming, but together, we are stronger. We can push forward by holding onto our values, supporting one another and refusing to be divided by hatred. Lasting change does not happen overnight, but every step toward a brighter future counts. So, we persist, we resist and most importantly, we hope.
Ainsley Foster is a junior studying elementary education.
