So Many Things to Worry About

The past 18 months have been remarkable, though not necessarily in good ways. The overarching issue that has impacted all of us in some way or another has been the Covid pandemic. Our health, security, economy, society and so much more has been threatened and stretched and re-shaped in ways we never could have predicted. And if that wasn’t enough, climate-related disasters have made it abundantly clear, to me at least, that the climate crisis is real and can no longer be denied by anyone. Just this past week hurricane Ida ravaged the eastern US from Louisiana to the northeast, bringing unprecedented amounts of rain and flooding that impacted hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens and killed nearly 100. Meanwhile the wildfires in the west continue to rage. And lest we forget, just last summer, amidst the pandemic, fires in Colorado destroyed hundreds of structures just to the west of where most of us live.

I’ve  just scratched the surface of things that I have or am worried about. To name just a few more:

• The tumultuous 2020 elections and subsequent riots on January 6
• The rise and spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus
• The protests over the deaths of African American men by the police in cities all over our country
• The often bitter debates over wearing masks and restrictions on business
• The thousands of schools across the country that shifted to virtual learning
• The hundreds of thousands of Covid cases and the tens of thousand of people who died here and around the world
• The situation in Afghanistan

“Politicians discussing global warming” — that’s what social media users have dubbed this tiny puddle sculpture by Spanish street artist Isaac Cordal.
Credit: "Follow the leaders," Berlin, Germany, April 2011. Isaac Cordal.

I'm sure you could add to this list and certainly we all could add concerns we have for our families, friends, neighbors, or churches. I doubt that few societies have had to deal with so much all at once. Little wonder mental health experts are raising the alarm that many, many people are struggling emotionally and physically as they cope as best they can.

A Suggested Antidote - Find a Community of Like-Minded People

This past Sunday as I sat in church, it dawned on me that being in church, singing and worshipping with people I’ve known for a long time was lifting my spirits. Few, if any, of the issues on the list above were discussed,  but nevertheless, I began to feel more optimistic and I suppose I was probably smiling behind my mask! To be honest, I can’t say that I’ve suddenly found a lot of reasons not to worry, but certainly felt less “frozen” and more energized to do something!

At this point I’d be remiss not to mention The Table Urban Farm community. For my wife and I, volunteering with Craig and Jeanine Broek who are Climate Witness partners, has given us an outlet for some of our angst over all the discouraging events we’ve all had to endure. The folks we work with and assist give us hope that good things can happen and are happening. Hundreds of pounds of vegetables are grown, harvested and given away for free every week. Furthermore, at The Table Public House more and more people are finding a safe, friendly, family-orientated  place to meet a friend, conduct a Bible Study, or simply relax and enjoy a beverage. With an intentional goal to encourage community, I find working and helping these fine people to be an excellent antidote for my anxiety for all those issues I’ve listed. Check out this YouTube link to see the Channel 7 feature.

—Barry Meyer Rocky Mountain Regional Organizer

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