Big problems require big solutions, and a healthy perspective is crucial.
Illustration by Erin Dawson | Argonaut
Poverty, war and natural disasters engulf our world. Fifteen percent of the American population was in poverty in 2010. More than 4,000 U.S. troops — and more than 10,000 Iraqi troops — were killed in the 2003 to 2011 American war with Iraq. As of summer 2011, 12 million people in Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya lack food, water and sanitation. Drought, flooding and other climate crises during 2010 and 2011 made 42 million people across Asia-Pacific regions pack their water-damaged bags and hoof it to higher ground.
Riots, uprisings, disease, domestic abuse, human trafficking and warfare waged by children fill newspapers worldwide. Divorce, therapy, health care and gasoline rates are on the rise.
It’s easy to lose your head amid the myriad of issues. It helps to realize what’s really important and what’s truly at stake. It does no good to fight the symptoms while the disease is left to fester. Cancer victims need treatment, not discount codes for surplus purchases at maxwigs.com.
It’s all about expectations and how hard we’re willing to work. Low expectations will yield low-value results. Change can’t happen when it isn’t anticipated. We need to stand up for ourselves, pound our fists on the table of life and make a scene that will get the attention we require.
People must do whatever they can. Explore your surroundings and discover what causes and correlations you can trace to the problem and do something about it. Climb walls, cut through red tape and leap across countertops that obstruct the path to your goal. When the decisive moment arrives, be prepared to take power by its stiff, authoritative lapel and choke it into submission.
Realize that some problems are too big to ignore, and don’t be distracted by tertiary issues. People will come with trifles and raise a fuss for your attention. Infomercials will demand your dollars. Well-meaning people will hold picket signs and gather in the street. Do not be dissuaded.
The next time some waiter tells you to make your own fry sauce with ketchup and mayonnaise, don’t be passive. Roll up your sleeves, ball your fist and create a five-step solution on the spot.
People who pay the price shouldn’t have to settle for something they already had.
Matt Maw can be reached at [email protected]