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:: When Things Are Pretty Sad…

April 29, 2015

Wow. Things are pretty sad out there in the world at the moment. The devastating Nepal Earthquake. The executions of eight men in Indonesia early this morning Australian time. Race riots in the US. And SO MUCH more. So much.

It’s hard to make sense of it all, isn’t it? It’s hard to find something to grab onto. It’s hard to find our place amongst all of this and process it all in a meaningful way.  Life really is messed up sometimes, isn’t it?

All this makes me even more sure of a couple of things. Things that give us a firm footing for when things are completely shite.

1. we really need to approach our lives in a true-to-us and open-hearted way, looking out for others in the process – because in the end, that’s what we owe ourselves and that’s what the world needs (even if things turn ugly) and
2. we need to stand up for what we believe and get behind the things we care about the most, research, be vocal and take action.

If you have been struggling to deal with the events of the last few days, it might help to find some practical ways to help those involved.

Donate to the Red Cross Emergency Nepal Appeal here
Donate to Oxfam’s Emergency Nepal Appeal here
Donate to World Vision’s Emergency Nepal Appeal here

Sign the condolence book for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran here
Find out more about Amnesty’s campaign to abolish the death penalty worldwide

Do a thing that makes a difference.

x Pip

9 Comments

  • Reply Karoline April 30, 2015 at 10:52 AM

    And let’s not forget the animals affected by natural disaster. There are a number of organisations providing aid to countless animals that have been wounded, rendered homeless or just plain terrified and confused. You can also help by donating to the following charities providing animal rescue and aid for the Nepal disaster:
    – Tree of Compassion
    – Animal Nepal
    – Humane Society International
    – World Vets
    <3 for a kinder world <3

  • Reply Linda Brown April 30, 2015 at 12:32 AM

    Pip Lincolne, Thank You for your insight into the sadness of our world. Earthquake in Nepal, Baltimore police and the anger and frustration, Amnesty, Chile. Your steps for all of us to be true to ourselves and have an open-heart is a rainbow after the tears and turmoil. This has open my eyes and heart. Very well said to all. Linda

  • Reply tash April 30, 2015 at 12:30 AM

    you are a good sort Pip! Big hugs, and I hope you had a lovely day with Max x

  • Reply Rachel April 30, 2015 at 12:11 AM

    Thanks for the great practical suggestions for dealing with the sadness Pip 🙂

  • Reply Ro Bailey April 29, 2015 at 10:55 PM

    I’ve given to Medicin sans Frontiers, another very worthy cause. They’ve gone into Nepal as a medical team.

  • Reply Lisa April 29, 2015 at 10:23 PM

    Beautifully said, and practical too. Discussing the executions with my husband, he said ‘retaliation isn’t right, so what would make this better?’ I told him that abolishing the death penalty worldwide is the only good thing that could come from their deaths. And then I read your post and learned of Amnesty’s campaign and now I don’t even have to go looking 🙂 xx

  • Reply Deanna April 29, 2015 at 9:33 PM

    Thank you for writing this Pip. As you said, trying to make sense of all this sadness is difficult. For me, what you wrote is like a mental reassuring hug, and a quiet reminder that we can do good things however small to make a difference.

  • Reply Isabel April 29, 2015 at 8:04 PM

    You’re a step ahead of the emotional curve, Pip. I was thinking today ‘Why do I feel so sad and down? Maybe it’s just time of the month related?’ But actually sad events in the world affect us all. I gave $228 to the Save the Children Nepal Earthquake appeal yesterday (the other NGOs you listed are also excellent), and I will look at what Amnesty is doing to abolish the death penalty, too. As you say, when things are completely shite, we need to look to the good in ourselves and in others and try to put things right as much as we can x

  • Reply Jodie McGill April 29, 2015 at 7:10 PM

    you are always so kind Pip, a gentle ray of sunshine. Thank you for pointing us in the right direction xx

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