The news can be overwhelming: More troops in Iraq (and Ukraine?), big money in politics, the XL pipeline, legislation against a woman's right to choose, legislation against the poor, middle class, and immigrants, college debt, net neutrality. And on and on.
I'm thinking about what Anne Lamotte wrote in Bird by Bird:
“...my older brother, ...was trying to get a report written on birds that he'd had three months to write ... he was at the kitchen table close to tears, ...immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, "Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.”
I can't get overwhelmed, just begin and take things one step at a time. Kind of like shoveling the driveway this week.
Think of the birds.
Dear Mr. Fix-it made a bird feeder that holds 10 pounds of sunflower seeds. It hangs next to a cherry tree, right outside the kitchen window. The birds empty it every 5 days. I love watching them and try to keep track of which bird is which, one bird at a time.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is my bird resource. "The Lab" has a project called eBird--a tool to ID, count, and keep track of the birds. I signed up for eBird to keep bird identification ongoing and to have a small part in their science and conservation efforts.
But what about those other issues? How can I keep from feeling overwhelmed and immobilized?
I like what Robert Reich suggests because he is frequently asked, "What can I do?" --
He said: ". . . Help raise the minimum wage in your city or state. Help get public funding for elections in your city or state. Organize, mobilize, energize others in your community to join Walmart workers, fast-food workers, and others for better wages and working conditions. Join Common Cause. Don't be cynical. Be an activist. Make a ruckus. Make a difference." Bird by bird.
Do a little here and little there -- and then chill out with live webcam of Great horned owls.