By Joan Passarelli

Transitions

Between the downturn in the economy and the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, we all have a burden of stress to carry.

“Over the next few months, we’ll see just what the bombing has cost us,” said Rev. Dr. Jim Thomas of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Mountain View. “We’ll pay more for insurance, goods shipped by air, and airline tickets. Therefore, we’re going to have less money.”

For those who have been laid off, it’s just that much tougher. How can they handle the extra strain?

The key is in the way the world is more like a village than ever before.

“We’re intimately involved with the rest of the world,” Thomas said. Events and policies far away affect us, in the prices we pay for things and in how we live.

The good side of this is that we can affect faraway countries by what we do, too. In fact, we’ve been doing it for over 50 years. Americans sent CARE packages to Great Britain and Europe during World War II and forged bonds of friendship that last still.

Now, in this time of uncertainty, we can and should reach out in friendship to other citizens of the world.

Sending aid and helping others is, in fact, a good way to handle the stress we’re feeling here.

As Americans have shown already, by donating blood and huge sums of money, we feel better by giving to others, even those who live far away from us.

Volunteer here in the community and see the results of your work right away. Or check the Web for giving opportunities around the world. Besides donating blood or money, you can donate food, teddy bears, quilts, and even frequent flier miles.

Do it today. You’ll help draw our world closer together, and you’ll help yourself, too.

This is part of a series based on the work of Rev. Dr. Jim Thomas, who is leading the group Transitions for those in big life transitions, especially job searches. Transitions meets 6-8 p.m., Thursdays, at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 2094 Grant Road, Mountain View.