The new year seems like a lifetime ago. So much has happened. So little has changed.
Political chaos sounds too clinical for what feels like a freight train hit to the soul. I felt frozen in the headlights barreling down. It’s time to move off the tracks.
New Year Hope
For me, a new year always brings hope – some years more than others (remember how you felt at the close of pandemic year 2020?) I feel excited for something new.
The close of 2025 brought similar emotions. I was anxious to move on. Despite crushing events, I appreciated my successes and looked forward to the latest chapter of my life. Then Minneapolis happened.
I became swamped by the horror of a never-ending assault to my Pollyanna beliefs. My business goals for the new year stalled. How could I knock out promotions and social media marketing when lives were being snatched and extinguished? Such an insular response to our current world.
The calming, chronicling posts of Dr. Heather Cox Richardson help me every day. I found what she shared in a recent Politics Chat of hers particularly helpful. The origin came from something a Tibetan religious leader said to a North Carolina candidate about “picking up your torch.”
What is my torch?
Igniting the Torch
Since becoming an independent writer, I have focused on better communication. It started with business writing and expanded into my Old Lady Biz brand in the form of positive, kind, and caring communication. Must be because I never communicate any other way. 😀
Reality is better communication takes work. But communication drives the chaos – sometimes, intentionally. Other times unconsciously.
So, how can this focus become my torch toward a better world? What can I do to make an impact, no matter how small?
These are my thoughts so far.
#1 – Do the Work.
Better communication does take work. It is easy to take shortcuts and slip into quick actions that skip or forget to do the following.
Vet the Source
In my healthcare specialty for business writing, verifying reports, statistics, and sources for written content was extremely challenging. It has only gotten worse, especially in this era of artificial intelligence (AI).
Social media platforms are masters of manipulation. Bots, algorithms, and AI-generated fakes flame the chaos. It is easy to be pulled in to the mess of misinformation, no matter how aware you are.
- Posts play on your emotions and use your views to get a reaction.
- Think about the last political meme or post you shared.
- Are you sure it was accurate?
I know I have fallen victim to their manipulation. And I am supposed to know better.
Share responsibly. Confirm first.
Share the Message
Separating truth from fabrication is not always simple. It can be exhausting. Just ask Heather Cox Richardson or Aaron Parnas.
I tend to lurk on social media. Although I read Heather Cox Richardson every morning, I think I have only commented once (to offer a question for one of her political chats). I also forget to click on a reaction to her posts.
Part of me hates clicking on the reactions (Like, Love, Angry, etc.) because it plays into the algorithm manipulation. But it also helps the author’s visibility.
This became very clear to me during the Minnesota siege. So many good Minnesotans doing meaningful work. I felt I needed to elevate their visibility so others could help.
Personally, I was moved by Haven Watch who rescued people released outside detention centers in subzero temperatures with no coats, phones, IDs, or transportation. It was one thing to read their stories but more effective to share their mission. I also donated.
MY DO BETTER PLAN
- Stop knee-jerk sharing without checking. Even trusted sources sometimes get it wrong.
- Keep exploring credible sources. I shared some I use in this post.
- Be open to listening to opposing views.
#2 – Live Life.
If there is one major point that has become clear, it is that we are in this for the long haul. We need to take care of both our mental and physical health to sustain what we need to do.
For me, that means living my best life to find balance amidst the chaos. Taking care of my now 103-year-old mother is my priority. I can do that better when I continue to take care of my business, my health, and by picking up my torch.
MY DO BETTER PLAN
- Focus on my mental and physical health to better care for Mom.
- Promote my business so I can support us and the causes that mean the most to me.
- Continue to define my torch and identify how to make a difference – no matter how small.
Have you found your torch? How do you find the balance?
A sensible approach as always, Cathy. It’s hard to keep your head above water with all that’s happening.
It sure is, Sharon. It’s times like this that I marvel more than ever at your strength of keeping on.