These are dark times.

We are in the midst of global pandemic; infections and deaths from COVID-19 are resurging across the world. The forces of climate change are raining down destruction, with hurricanes in Central America, typhoons in the Philippines, and record wildfires on the west coast of the Americas.

And here in the U.S. we have a consequential presidential election in progress we'll likely still not know the outcome of by the time you read this post on Wednesday. The election is set against an ugly, divisive political backdrop. Those in power are trying hard to keep their position by any means possible. Those committed to the relentless pursuit of wealth are continuing to profit.

It can all seem like too much. Especially for those of us who are committed to bringing our healing and creative gifts to help create and serve a new world.

When it all starts to feel overwhelming, when this starts to happen to me and those I care about, I remember two things.

This is About More Than This Moment

First, no matter the outcome of this week's election or the effect of the fight against the virus, the forces and individuals committed to keeping the status quo will not suddenly disappear:

• Policies and institutions that have been built on systemic racism will not suddenly become equitable.

• Millionaires and billionaires won't abruptly realize (or care) that their wealth has been gained through an unjust and cruel embrace of a colonial capitalist system that rewards the rich and punishes the poor and start dismantling it.

• The vast numbers of individuals who have embraced blind individualism at the expense of community will not suddenly realize we are all interconnected.

• Women privileged by race or class won't instantly become aware of their own role in upholding a patriarchal system.

This assessment may seem unwieldy, dire even, on first glance. But sinking into this truth can help you pan out from this one particularly painful moment in history and see your work in a larger context.

Now Is the Time to Create

And this brings me to the second reminder. No matter what happens this week or for the rest of 2020 and beyond, now is not the time to collapse. Or to slide into self-pity. Or, please no, to give up.

Now is the time to create.

Earlier this week, I was reminded of this lovely piece by Toni Morrison. It was written in 2015, references 2004 and is a message for the ages to all of us about this very thing. It still speaks strongly to today.

In times of awful horrible dread, she says, artists must not choose to remain silent. These times are, as the piece is titled, "No Place for Self-Pity, No Room for Fear." And although here Toni Morrison speaks specifically about art and artists, this message is also for you. If you are a coach, healer or other creative entrepreneur, you have undertaken the ultimate creative act - building your own business to bring the healing and transformation we so desperately need in this world.

I know there is a lot of pain and suffering and anxiety out there. I'm not advocating we stick our head in the sand or float off into the 'love and light' artifice of rose colored inauthentic spiritual bypass. No, we need to recognize the world's pain for what it is, and, as Toni Morrison says as she concludes the article, "refuse to succumb to its malevolence."

Turn away from despair and bring your courage to your work.

Be the artist in your business and keep creating the world you want to live in.

PHOTO BY ANNIE NYLE ON UNSPLASH