I got to a point this weekend where I had to close down my computer and put my phone away. I couldn’t look at the news, or the commentary, any longer. So much pain and suffering in the world the past couple of weeks. It’s so hard.

I’m one of those highly sensitive people. Things hurt me more than they should, even things thousands of miles away. While I’ve worked hard to learn to protect myself  it still happens when there is so much going on. It gets to be too much sometimes and I have to step away.

How do I cope with all of this pain in the world?

When I feel like the world is holding too much pain, when the less kind among us are causing suffering my thoughts and actions begin turning toward home to ease pain and suffering.

I nest, decorate, DIY, and paint the heck out of my surroundings. I bake cakes and casseroles and put big meals in the slow cooker. I have family over and I feed them good food.

I make sure to hug everyone as they walk in, or out, the door and let them know that I love them.

I make sure they know THIS is their safe place. They can come here for anything they need.

Laughter, love, and yes, even a lecture sometimes.

We laugh and remember better times. Funny things the kids did when they were little and we play with the grandlittle and revel in her little girl laughter.

And it helps.

I may not be able to reach across the ocean, or even my own country, and alleviate the suffering that my fellow human beings (friends I have not met yet) are feeling but I can turn to this tiny little corner of my world and make it as nice as I possibly can. I can love the people near me and help heal them a bit.

I can commit random acts of kindness, smile at strangers and reach out in love as much as people will let me.

And, yes, that does make me feel better. It’s only a small part of the world but by turning toward home I can help those closest to me know they are safe and loved so they can go out and make the world a little better in turn.

It’s all I can do and I hope it is enough.