Apathy: a state of indifference, lack of interest, without passion, emotional suppression, diminished consciousness, etc.
Apathy is often associated with depression (and I want to be clear that this post is not directed towards people suffering from depression – when the word choose should be used lightly), but I think it is much more common than we recognize. I know that I catch myself using it as a defense mechanism to avoid feeling overwhelmed by my emotions. Sometimes I convince myself that it’s a good thing because I can’t champion every cause.
Better to feel nothing than to invest myself in everything.
But that’s really just an excuse. No, I can’t fight every battle, I can’t cry for every cause, and I can’t be trapped underneath the overwhelming hardship and need of this world, but I can honor the struggles of others with empathy. No, I can’t praise every accomplishment, I can’t celebrate every win, and I can’t be fulfilled by everyone else’s achievements, but I can honor the victories of others with respect.
Apathy is probably the default choice for many people during this pandemic. It isn’t bad to be focused on your own situation and to limit the amount of news that you are taking in. But you shouldn’t get to a place that you don’t have empathy and respect for the vast range of situations around you and the world – that’s when apathy sets in and you take fewer precautions for the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others.
How do I move away from apathy for others without being flooded all the time? How do I move away from apathy for myself without comparison?
Gratitude is a great release for apathy.
Gratitude: being thankful, showing appreciation, returning kindness, affirming goodness, recognizing value, generating hope, etc.
It is so much more than giving thanks. It is action and emotion. It is experience and expression. It is personal and relational. Practicing gratitude towards others and towards self can help us to fully engage without getting lost in the sea of emotions. It allows us to feel and experience while staying grounded. Gratitude brings perspective, whether emotions are positive or negative, high or low.
When we choose gratitude during this confusing and difficult time for the world, we choose to be light. We choose honor. We recognize the goodness of life and people. We do kind things and value kindness. We are thankful for what we have and receive, visible and invisible. We produce hope for the days ahead. If we choose Jesus too, we give glory to God for all that He is and all that He has done through every act of our gratitude.
There are lots of studies about the effects that gratitude can have on your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. It is fascinating to read about if you’re ever looking for something to learn. Check out this post for my favorite ways to practice gratitude.
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