When you want to help solve all the world’s problems

Do you ever feel like there’s just so much to DO out in the world?? So many people to help, causes to support and missions to accomplish? This post is for when you wish you could save the world a.k.a.

When You Want to Help Solve All the World’s Problems

If you’re like me, you want to help all. The. People.

In the height of my anxiety, I felt like I was being suffocated under the weight of the world. 

Besides the day-to-day rigors of living a life of a mom with small kids, I was teaching classes at church, volunteering for charities and on committees, running several at-home businesses and managing a moms’ group, among other things. I was also a wife, daughter, sister-in-law, family travel agent and photographer, tea party host, etc. etc.

Besides the activity and busyness, I saw women lacking confidence, worthy causes in need of promotion and people around the world suffering.

I’d watch the news and want to do even more! 

Whatever I was doing didn’t feel like it was enough.

In tears one evening, I confessed to my husband, “I want permission to just be a wife and mom.” He looked me in the eye and said, “I give you permission.”

It was a truly life-changing moment. 

You mean I don’t have to quite literally kill myself…

• trying to be all things to all people
• serving on multiple committees and teams
• volunteering to help various charities and causes
• teaching classes
• cooking and baking
• attending to every question and request immediately
• trying to be Super Mom
• running several businesses from home
• running a home
• playing nice
• putting myself last
• saving the world

I can simply be an attentive wife, mom and daughter??

I don’t have to save the world?? What a revelation!

 

In my anxiety battle, I came to realize that the best way I can have an impact on the world is to make sure my little corner of the world is as peaceful as possible.

My loved ones don’t need elaborate trips, fancy meals or an immaculate house. My kids didn’t care if I was running the nursery, hosting play dates and earning fun money from an Etsy shop.

My people just needed ME–happy, rested and whole.

THAT woman was then free to have a lasting impact on the world…without breaking under the pressure.

So what’s a girl to do when she wants to save the world? Here are my hard-won lessons.

Do what’s in front of you.

Start with what’s closet to home, like wife, mom and employee.

Maybe you’re already running a book club and a Bunco group.

Do what you’re already doing well, maximize those connections and seek to take those relationships deeper before expanding too far beyond.

If you want to save the world, focus on the world in front of you.

Prioritize your well being.

You’re no good to anyone if you’re depleted and run down.

You can’t have any impact if you’re exhausted and resentful. Make time for eating well, moving your body, relaxing and whatever brings you joy.

If you want to save the world, save yourself first.

Decide on a few ways you CAN change the world and focus on those.

Mother Teresa said it best:

It might be reading to kids at the local library every week, serving on a non-profit committee that benefits the community or donating money to overseas missions.

It’s enough.

We can’t do it all. So do what you can well.

Whatever you do, do it with great love. Pour your heart and soul into it. Be fully present. Be content with how much you’re giving. 

Don’t over-estimate small acts of love.

Saving the world is often as simple as bringing love and light into one person’s world.

It can be having a neighbor over for coffee, putting a note in your child’s lunch or smiling at a stranger.

Even the smallest gesture can brighten someone’s day. We love to complicate it but it really is that simple.

If you want to save the world, first make your world smaller.

There is a lot to be done. The world is a big place with a lot of needs and someone like you can make a lasting impact.

Please know that you already are saving the world, just being you.

Every time you take care of yourself, reach out to someone or invest your time, the world is a better place.

The world is so much better with you in it.