What the World Needs Now: Healing a Fragmented World

This week in Live Your Opus:

• This week at work & home: ??Rediscovering what matters most to you in a disconnected world and using it to heal yourself and your communities
• Business: ?? When a coworker loses a home, what do you do? Heartfelt, practical advice from Darcy Eikenberg, PCC and Julia Phelan, Ph.D
• Vitality: ?? How to keep up on the news without falling apart. A trauma-informed approach to consuming the news by integrative physician Tanmeet Sethi MD
• Mindset Shift: ?? Finding Courage in Coming Together. Scott Simon shares insights on using courage to build a bridge.
• Tiny Wisdom: ?? With love from Nelson Mandela

An old song goes,?‘What the world needs now is love, sweet love.’?Although I haven't heard it in years, it’s been playing in my head this week as the world continues to feel…heavy.

The tension in our world is hard to ignore, even if you’re trying to. Wildfires in California. The Gaza War. Political shifts in the US that are quickly rolling back fundamental rights. And other headlines that spark fear and uncertainty. These aren’t just stories on a screen—they seep into our lives, leaving many of us feeling untethered.

And yet, amidst all of this, life goes on. Work deadlines don’t pause, and family responsibilities remain. Moments of joy and connection—dinners with loved ones, birthday and anniversary celebrations, holidays—still exist, though sometimes they feel overshadowed by the weight of it all.

I find myself thinking: What does the world need most right now?

It’s a big question; we will each have our own answer.

Connection

One answer that rises to the surface for me is Connection. Because if we look closely, much of what we’re experiencing—individually and collectively—points to a crisis of disconnection.

Gallup’s latest research shows that nearly 70% of employees are disengaged or emotionally detached. And depending on where you live, between 25% and 49% of people report feeling lonely regularly. These numbers reflect lives removed from meaning, purpose, and each other.

We feel it in ourselves, too, don’t we? There are times when I scroll past a news headline and feel helpless. Or I crave a deeper conversation but hesitate to reach out. Many people I know wonder what their role is in a fractured world.

For me, Connection feels like a lifeline. When we truly connect—with ourselves, our work, our communities—we close the gaps in our hearts and world. We start to build something that feels human again.

This week, I was reminded of how powerful Connection can be, even in the most minor, most unexpected ways. As part of an online microblogging course, I’ve been paired with eight strangers from around the world. There’s no teacher, no formal leader—just the task of supporting each other as we learn.

So far, we’ve only met in bits and pieces, briefly introducing ourselves and diving into our shared purpose. But already, there’s something magical happening—a reminder that Connection doesn’t require years of shared history. It can begin with small acts of showing up, listening, and contributing your voice to something bigger than yourself.

This spirit gives me hope—that even in a world where everything feels heavy, Connection is always possible.

If Connection is an answer, how might we begin?

First, turn inward. What do you need right now? To recharge, to reflect, to rest? Your ability to engage productively in your life and the world starts with taking care of yourself.

Then, reach outward. What could you offer someone else right now? Maybe it’s listening to a colleague’s story without judgment, sharing your gratitude with a friend, or offering support to someone struggling in your community. Small gestures often ripple further than we imagine.

Finally, dream forward. What’s one small step you could take to build the world you want to live in? How might your workplace, family, or community look if it centered on care and connection? And what role can you play in creating that?

What Else?

Connection is just one possible answer. So, what about you? What do you think the world needs most right now?

What might you bring to the table? And, perhaps most importantly, who might you reach out to—for support, a conversation, or simply to share a moment of humanity?

Because even when the world feels heavy, perhaps especially then, there is always something we can give—and always something we can receive.

Below, I’ve shared some thoughtful resources I’ve found over the past few weeks to help you stay well, help others, and consider what you might bring to the world. As always, if they’re helpful to you, please share them with others.

Until next time, be well!

?? When a coworker loses a home, what do you do?

Natural disasters like wildfires and hurricanes remind us how fragile our lives can be. When someone you work with loses their home, you may feel compelled to help but unsure of the “right” way.

In?When Your Coworker Loses a Home, a thoughtful HBR article, authors Darcy Eikenberg and Julia Phelan offer invaluable guidance on supporting colleagues through such devastating losses. Their lived experiences—losing a home in wildfires and navigating post-hurricane recovery—shape practical dos and don’ts.

?? Is the news breaking you down?

In an era where global crises dominate headlines, our nervous systems are constantly under siege; staying informed can feel like a heavy emotional burden—especially for those with past trauma.

In this powerful piece, integrative physician Tanmeet Sethi explores how trauma-informed news consumption can protect our mental and physical well-being. Learn actionable strategies, such as setting boundaries, balancing hard truths with moments of joy, and limiting visual triggers, to prevent burnout while staying informed.

?? Read the full article for tools to hold the weight of the world with greater ease.

?? Can courage build a bridge?

In today’s Scare Your Soul newsletter, Scott Simon shares a story about a recent dinner where, over rigatoni and red wine, two friends from opposite sides of the political divide found themselves leaning into a conversation—not to argue, but to listen. As you might imagine, it was uncomfortable and awkward at times but deeply courageous.

In this thought-provoking piece, Scott reflects on the bravery it takes to step outside our echo chambers and truly connect with those we disagree with—not to abandon our beliefs but to honor the humanity behind theirs.

“A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dream of." - Nelson Mandela (From his book, Long Walk to Freedom)

I’m Janine Mathó, and I’m writing Live Your Opus, a book for ambitious people who crave deeper meaning, fulfillment, and direction but sometimes struggle to break through (forthcoming 2025). I publish my newsletter on Substack and LinkedIn on Thursdays; subscribe and join 700+ people reading it. You can learn more about me and my work here. And please feel free to connect with me here. As always, thanks for reading. If this resonates, please share this letter with others who might benefit. Thank you!