In a world of chaos, be the calm

Photo courtesy of Geneseo.edu

While it is important to stay informed, it is also important to stay present. Take a step away from your phone and start forming connections with other students; spread joy and love, not anger.

Right now, things are not looking too good for us, especially for Generation Z. Whether it be the ongoing war in the Middle East, the rising cost of living, the student debt crisis, social and political divisions exacerbated by social media, soaring healthcare costs, or a broken job market, many of us feel that our backs are against the wall, especially when our political leadership seems unwilling to address any of those issues. 

For us, things are pretty chaotic and uncertain, and many young people are not sure about what kind of life they will have. Many of my friends want to start families and own homes, but that is becoming increasingly unlikely. Classmates that I have spoken to want to live their dreams, but lack the finances due to rising education costs, while others are just trying to afford day-to-day life. 

Combine that with current domestic events, and it may seem to some that things are getting worse every day. Whether it’s another mass shooting, political turmoil and controversies, financial woes, or even a government that cares more about protecting pedophiles than ensuring the wellbeing of its own citizens, it’s enough to make people feel hopeless. Some have even given up, spending their time doom-scrolling on social media and passing the time. Others have turned their frustration and hopelessness into sheer anger and even hatred—anger and hatred that has been augmented extensively by social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. With all these negative emotions flooding your feed, it’s easy to get consumed by them and lash out at others, especially those with different views and beliefs. 

However, as Yoda once said, “Anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.” Unleashing your negative emotions on others, even those who are just as affected by the current conditions as you are, reflects your stupidity and ignorance. Plenty of us wish we had the power to end the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, lower the cost of living, root out corruption, address the deficiencies in healthcare, housing, and education, unite the country, and tackle the other issues that our generation cares about. We cannot control the storm around us, but we can control how we react to it. That applies even here; I have noticed, and I know I am not the only one, how students here seem to keep their heads down, bury themselves in their phones, and not care about those around them. 

When I strike up conversations with students, I often get told that it is hard to connect with others because many here have established friend groups, making them unwilling to branch out. Others have told me that the weather and Geneseo’s remoteness contribute to this feeling, but I find that to be a flimsy excuse. Everyone here has their respective struggles, and sometimes, reaching out and just saying hi might mean a lot more than you think. Don’t let fear psych you out; your mind is often your biggest enemy. Stepping back from social media and other distractions in our culture can boost your confidence, strengthen relationships, and add a little positive energy. In a world seemingly filled with darkness, you have the power to shine light through it. We must do the best we can with what we have, without becoming overwhelmed and bogged down by the chaos around us. 

Once you establish your inner peace and core foundation, life becomes simpler, and you feel more capable of resisting the storm around us all. At the same time, that foundation can attract others and serve as a magnet for those seeking inner peace and calm.