Preparing For The Apocalypse: Or How To Fight The (Toxic) Patriarchy, Part Three #give #donate #bebetter

 

When I was a fundie Christian, I was told by the church that in all means possible we were to 'give until it hurts'.  Now, I do not advocate for that anymore, rather, if you see the first entry of this series on 'self-care' (https://artistthriving.blogspot.com/2024/11/preparing-for-apocalypse-or-how-to.html), I believe that caring for oneself should always take precedence over giving, for without fully feeling well within, giving begins to dwell within the realm of codependent martyrdom, followed by resentment. 

Nay, the giving we provide as we voyage bravely into the dark reality approaching must be developed in mindfulness.  With special care and deliberation, we give in ways small and ways large, both on a personal level and that which is for the greater society.  Last spring, my company filmed a short film of which a good friend was an extra.  This last week, I gave her a small 'thank you' gift for her work done.  As she struggles with her fears of the oncoming four years, her face brightening with such a small token received was all that was needed as repayment.  Another friend, in her twenties renting a room with a bunch of house-mates with no garden space available, will be gifted a small in-home garden kit.  Regularly, I compile a bag of items no longer needed by me and take them down to my local cafe that has a 'free-box' bookshelf.  At that same cafe, another friend, Michael, unhoused, dwells and as much as I can I hand over a five dollar bill as well buying him birthday and holiday meals.  As well, I consider sorting out the recycling and carting them down to my local center a gift given to my 'mother earth'.  As I walk through my city, I pick up garbage left behind after the wind blows.  Sharing this not to boast of my own greatness but rather to reflect with the ease of giving.

On a larger social level, in the next month, I plan on sitting with my finances and thinking deeply on what organizations to monthly benefit.  I know now that $10 a month will go towards Planned Parenthood, another $10 a month to the Trevor Project, and am wanting to find other worthy organizations with the focus on environmental and housing concerns, both with the $10 a month limit.  The point of this is to share how, as daunting as the next four years seems, as overwhelming as to what we can do feels, giving in the minute leads to a far-reaching wide influence.

In the supposed words of Jesus above, the small acts of kindness given will be benefited right back upon the giver.  For the simple deed of one person giving to another leads to more, as the receiver feels the uplifting to carry the gift forward.  As the darkness of hate, bigotry, mysogyny, and 'toxic patriarchy ushers in the apocalypse, we must actively decide to take the first step against, that which, as Michelle Obama declared, "when they go low, we go high".  Actively and daily choose to be better than the darkness, not giving into the sin of hate, but rising above unto the realm of love.  For in that place, your peace and healing will be recovered and once acquired that gift you can extend towards others.

Viva La Revolution, dear friend, it begins within.

Like a small boat on the ocean
Sending big waves into motion
Like how a single word
Can make a heart open
I might only have one match
But I can make an explosion

Rachel Platten - Fight Song (Lyrics)

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/

https://www.thetrevorproject.org/