Standing for issues

While reading the November issue of Canadian Family Physician, I was struck by the title of Dr Ladouceur’s editorial: “Our fight against climate change.”¹ Perhaps as a matter of public health, we could have a policy of reframing the issue, from a fight against climate change to standing for a whole series of interrelated issues: clean air, clean water, a flourishing of all living things together, etc.

We understand the toxicity of anxiety and depression. Neither one is a nursery for effective action. Taking any action in the direction of what one loves and appreciates does ignite the participation of others: in actuality, a lot is going on in this direction even though our traditional media culture focuses on our failures. There certainly are plenty of failures to focus on.

Nevertheless, those who cultivate and pursue some vision (almost any vision) outlive those who remain disheartened, however much data there might be to support the general view that things are going badly. We know how discouraged and disheartened many people are.

Let us consciously advocate for, and leave to others the fighting against.

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