Repair the World
by Rochelle Melander
“Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach.”
~ Clarissa Pinkola Estés
The news regularly reports tragedies, including multiple mass shootings. Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, founder of Your Local Epidemiologist, reports, “As of December 14, the U.S. has had 391 mass shootings—more than the number of days in the year—for the seventh consecutive year.” 75 of those happened at schools.
I am tempted to throw up my hands in despair. But we cannot sit silently by while things go to pieces. We can learn from The Jewish idea of Tikkun Olam or “repair the world.”
This phrase, repair the world, comes from a 16th-century Midrash, a story based on a biblical text. In Rabbi Isaac Luria’s Midrash, God planned to put sparks of holy light into everything. But the vessel that stored the holy light shattered because of the light’s great strength, sending small shards throughout the earth. God created people to find the shards and restore the vessel, thereby repairing the world.
In difficult times, I hear people saying, “What is the world coming to?” and “What can we do?” This Midrash provides one hopeful answer—we can do our part to repair the world. As you continue your year-end reflecting and dreaming, I offer you a few more questions to help you let go of the old, claim the new, and do your part to repair the world:
Looking back
+When you look back at the last year, where do you see shards of hope in your world?
+What practices and projects helped you repair the world, even in tiny ways?
+What practices, relationships, and projects drained you? What can you leave behind?
Looking forward
+How will you look for hope in the New Year?
+How are you called to care for yourself in the New Year?
+How might you be a repairer of the world? (Think small!)
+What writing projects support these dreams?
Blessings to you as you dream and write and work to repair the world!
Author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project–she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/
