We’re living through dark, troubling times. Political violence and authoritarianism are on the rise. The poorest and most vulnerable among us are losing much-needed support and protection. Our environment is showing increasingly worrisome signs of degradation. The world seems to be more and more at risk of large-scale war.
How are we to respond to these bad times? What can we do?
While living through his own bad times nearly 2000 years ago, Marcus Aurelius wrote that, “If we want to live in good times … Do good things.”1
That’s it.
You can’t single-handedly change the world. But you can make a difference. The way you spend your time, attention, and money makes a difference. Who you vote for makes a difference. How you treat your fellow human beings makes a difference.
Mr. Rogers liked to remind us of some wisdom his mother told him. During a disaster, “Always look for the helpers. There are always helpers.”2 Well, she told him that as a child. And when you’re a child, it’s hopeful to be reminded that people step up and help during a crisis. But now that we’re adults, it’s our turn to be the helpers. No one is coming to save us. We have to save ourselves.
You have the power to be a part of the solution rather than a part of the problem. If enough people do the same, the tide will turn. It’s that simple.
Now, simple isn’t the same as easy. Doing good things during bad times takes courage. You have to be willing to stick your neck out, risking the wrath of powerful people who benefit from the status quo. But good times won’t make themselves. It’s up to us to make them.
By good times, I don’t mean hedonistically fun times. I mean morally good times. Such goodness does, however, create the conditions where meaningful fun can flourish. Very few people had a pleasant time in Nazi Germany.
But enjoyable conditions, like happiness itself, should not be pursued directly. They are a natural byproduct of making the world a better place, just as happiness is a natural byproduct of living well.
And just as we become better one choice at a time, we make the world better one positive action at a time. Together, we can make good times by doing good things.
P.S. One positive step you can take is getting out of your political information bubble. I highly recommend Tangle for this. I’ve been reading their newsletter for the past year, and it has greatly broadened my perspective. If we’re going to restore civil discourse in our country, we’re going to have to stop oversimplifying every issue and demonizing the other side. The way Tangle covers controversial political topics is a great step in that direction. (Note: the newsletter is free, and they’re not paying me to advertise for them. I just want more people to read it.)
P.P.S. If you want to help the world’s most vulnerable people, consider donating to Partners in Health. For decades, they’ve been providing high-quality healthcare and medical training for the world’s poorest communities.
1The Daily Stoic Newsletter. July 31, 2025.
2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LGHtc_D328&t=55s
Chris Loper has been writing about self-improvement and helping busy adults with habit formation since 2017.
He also writes an education blog for parents and students for Northwest Educational Services.
Along with Greg Smith, Chris is the cocreator of Parenting for Academic Success, a series of transformative classes that create empowered parents, confident students, and harmonious families.
His most recent endeavor combines his academic and habit-formation expertise to help students thrive in college. Visit SmartCollegeHabits.com to learn more.
In 2021, Chris published a humorous memoir titled Wood Floats and Other Brilliant Observations, a book that blends crazy stories with practical life lessons.
He lives in Issaquah, WA where he is the owner of South Cove Tutoring.