I think we can all agree that it feels as if the world is growing louder, angrier, and, quite honestly, more divided by the day. But is it really? Or is it just that everyone now has an audience to express their opinions, and we have access to those opinions at all hours of the day, whether we want it or not?
It’s easy to get swept up in the tidal wave of negativity, whether it comes from the news, social media, or even our closest circles. And if I’m honest with you (and myself), I’ve fallen into that trap too many times. This year, though, I decided it was time to do something about it—not for the world, but for me.
I made a rule for myself this year to "let go" of two things. First, the petty—the little things that don’t matter in the long run. Second, the uncontrollable—the things I cannot change no matter how much I stomp my feet or stress about them. Why carry the weight of things I have no influence over when I could use that energy to move forward?
It’s not always easy, and at times it might seem like "giving up," but here’s the thing I learned—it’s not. And I’ll tell you how I came to that realization.
A Lesson in Surrender
I didn’t fly until I was 16 years old. To say I was anxious would be an understatement. The flight was taking me to California for my black belt test in Bando (a martial art that originated in Burma). I remember gripping the armrests so tight and trying to push my fleet through the floor during takeoff.
It was then that my instructor, who was traveling with me, said something so simple and so profoundly true, it stayed with me forever. He said, "Well, nothing we can do now."
This wasn’t directed squarely at me, but hearing it shocked me into clarity. I wasn’t the pilot. I didn’t control the weather. There was nothing I could do to influence what happened next. And you know what? That realization calmed me in a way I never expected.
That lesson applies to so much more than just turbulent flights. There’s incredible peace in accepting what you can and can’t control. You don’t have to like every situation, and you don’t have to agree with everything happening around you—but you don’t have to carry it all, either.
Practice Compassion in a Divided World
Here’s something none of us has any control over—other people. Decisions they’ve made, beliefs they hold, how they present themselves—these things aren’t up to us. Accepting this truth and showing compassion instead of frustration can change everything.
It’s something my wife always reminds me of when she says, "Same, same, but different." To me, it recognizes the importance of empathy—not sympathy, but empathy. It reminds me that even though someone else’s struggles may seem different from mine, at their core, we’re often facing the same emotions.
When we scroll through social media or engage in debates, we only see a sliver of someone’s story, often the version they’ve chosen to show. We don’t know what shaped their experiences, what they’ve overcome, or the battles they’re currently fighting.
The truth is, we don’t have the full story. And when we realize that, it becomes much easier to approach others with compassion, even if we fundamentally disagree with them.
My Challenge to You
In a world that feels volatile and divided, compassion can feel like a radical act. But I firmly believe it’s the act that can lead us in the right direction.
Show compassion to yourself by letting go of the things you can’t control. Show compassion to others by remembering their lives are far more complex than what you see.
It’s not easy, I know. But I promise you, it’s worth it. It lightens the emotional load we carry, brings peace into our days, and fosters connections we didn’t think were possible.
What’s one small way you can practice compassion today? For someone else—or for yourself?
If nothing else, I hope this made you pause and consider that the person sitting across from you, whether in real life or across a computer screen, is just as human, flawed, and complicated as you are. And they deserve compassion just as much as you do.
Remember, we’re all "same, same, but different." And in that difference lies the beauty of a little more understanding.
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