Fighting to Help

A huge storm just ravaged my little slice of the universe. I chose a last minute (like, really last minute, ya'll) flee to a cabin in the woods with three dogs, a 12 year old and my husband. Michael came in, and took what he wanted, and left without a love note, or a card or a "call me". I stared at the news and watched and waited. He missed my home, and my immediate community by just a gentle nudge East, but absolutely devastated the area only about 20 miles down the road. Our community is in a shambles, trying to help, trying to offer support, just trying. Grasping at any way they can support our extended coastline community. For most of the people in this area, this is the first glimpse into this level of destruction or absolute loss that they may have had, and it's triggering some things. It's hard, and it's exhausting, It wears on people. Their nerves are thin. I have seen such lovely examples of human kindness in the past week, and then also watched as people turned helping people into a contest.

Here's the thing, and I'm not going to beat around the bush with this: My community is one of privilege. When I say that, I say it to mean that we have all of our basic needs met. Internet is not a basic need, ya'll. It's not. Sorry. We have the means and resources available to us to have what we need to survive every day. We cannot grasp, as a group, what it's like to have nothing. I'm not saying that no one here can understand that, but as a whole, the majority of people have more than enough. What that also means is that sometimes, it's hard for people to understand what is needed or how they can support. So they dive in where they can, and do what they think is best. It's beautiful, really. But sometimes, they assume everyone needs to be doing what they are doing for it to "count".

We each have a talent, or a skill, or a resource available to share. We each have a place. It's tough to see people in such a space and feel stuck as to how you can help them. It feels a lot like you're not doing enough. But guess what? You are. Every single person that helps is doing something. This creates energy and movement towards good. You're part of this movement even with your thoughts and prayers. Every person does not need to be the one serving food or standing ready with a chainsaw. You contribute as you can, and be a light for your community as you can. I cannot be that person serving food right now. It's just not right for me at this moment. But I do have a room in my house that sits empty, and can provide someone shelter. I am good as hell at coordinating and organizing, so I can facilitate others' support and help. I do have some extra money. So I can donate. This is something. And it counts. Our innate need to share what we do on social media can sometimes be a huge call to powerful action, but it can also push you into comparison. Remember....you are enough. What you are doing is enough.