Everywhere you turn, it feels like the world is on fire. In conversations over dinner, group chats, and news headlines, people are asking the same question: What can we do?

It’s not just rhetorical. It’s a plea. A call for guidance in overwhelming times. The weight of injustice, economic struggles, political uncertainty, and tragedy can leave us feeling powerless. It’s like standing in the middle of a storm, trying to figure out where to begin.

A friend asked me this recently. “Tamera, what are we going to do?”

I didn’t have an answer. I was exhausted, barely processing the last crisis before the next one hit. So I sighed and said, “Girl, I don’t know. I can’t even worry about it. It’s outside of my expertise.” And I meant it. Not because I didn’t care but because, at the moment, I felt powerless.

But if I had the chance to respond again, I would say something different.

Start With Yourself

That might not be the answer you expected. Maybe you were looking for a plan, a checklist, a clear next step. And we’ll get there. But before we show up for the world, we have to check in with ourselves.

Are you healthy? Not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? Do you have the capacity to use your knowledge, skills, and expertise to create change? Do you have the mindset, the energy, and the clarity to pour into something bigger than yourself?

If the answer is no, then that’s where you begin. Because you cannot pour from an empty cup. If your bank account is in the negative, you cannot make withdrawals, transfers, or deposits. The same is true for your energy.

You cannot fight for your community, for justice, or for the world if you are barely holding yourself together.

Maya Angelou said, “I seem to have more than I need, and you seem to have less than you need. So I am going to share my excess with you.”

That is the goal. To get to a place where we have more than we need. To be whole enough, steady enough, and resourced enough to pour into others. When we reach that place, we can share our excess time, knowledge, energy, and resources with our communities and the world.

But to do that, we have to make sure we are in a position to sustain the work. We have to move with clarity and purpose. Not from depletion or reaction but from strength and intention. When we feel strong enough and ready, we ask: What do I have to give?

Everyone Has Something to Offer

Every single one of us has something to contribute. Your voice, your skills, your knowledge, your influence, and your resources. Whatever is in your hands, whatever you have to offer, that is where you start.

If you are an artist, create something that sparks conversation.
If you are an educator, teach the truth unapologetically.
If you are a writer, document what is happening.
If you have money, donate.
If you have time, volunteer.
If you have a platform, use it.

It does not have to be big. It does not have to be loud. It just has to be intentional. Once you start and take that first step, you keep going. You reflect. You adjust. You learn. You do not just move blindly. You engage in the cycle of Knowledge, Action, and Reflection.

The Power of Knowledge, Action, and Reflection

Knowledge is about understanding the world to change it. It is more than just facts and information. It is deep awareness, consciousness, and understanding of the world around us. If we want to change society, we must first understand the forces shaping it.

We have to dig beneath the surface to identify the root causes of oppression and inequality. We have to recognize how history, economics, culture, and politics shape the present moment. Current events are not random. They are patterns, part of larger systems that existed long before us.

Knowledge is the foundation of transformation. It gives us clarity, direction, and purpose. Without it, action is scattered, reactionary, and often ineffective. With it, we move with intention and ensure our efforts contribute to meaningful and lasting change.

Action is about doing something with the knowledge you have. Knowledge alone is not enough. Awareness without action allows things to continue unchanged. To create meaningful change, we must take deliberate steps to reshape reality.

Action must be intentional and purposeful. It must focus on changing structures, not just addressing symptoms. It requires us to apply what we know in ways that dismantle oppression and move us toward a more just and equitable world.

Reflection ensures thoughtful and effective change. It strengthens both knowledge and action. It allows us to examine our efforts and ensure they are intentional, effective, and aligned with our goals. It is not a passive exercise but an ongoing process of assessing the impact of our choices.

Reflection happens before, during, and after action. It requires us to ask, Is this working? Is this actually helping? Sometimes, even with the best intentions, we fail to see the bigger picture. Without reflection, activism can become reactionary and short-sighted.

Deep reflection gives us greater clarity, refines our approach, and sharpens our actions. In this way, critical reflection becomes a form of action itself. It pushes us to engage with the world in ways that are more meaningful, strategic, and transformative.

Each of these elements: knowledge, action, and reflection, is essential. None can stand alone. They are interconnected and interdependent.

We must understand the world deeply, take action to change it, and reflect to refine our efforts. Without knowledge, action is misguided. Without action, knowledge is meaningless. Without reflection, we risk repeating mistakes instead of making real progress.

Every transformation, whether in education, social justice, or community building, is inherently educational. Meaningful change requires engaging in a continuous cycle of learning, doing, and reflecting. Through this process, we do not just imagine a better world. We take the necessary steps to build it.

You Do Not Have to Do It All

There are so many issues, injustices, and causes that need attention. If you try to take on everything, you will burn out.

Focus. Find the thing that sets your soul on fire. The issue you cannot ignore. The problem you feel called to help solve. Pour into that.

You do not have to be perfect. You do not have to have all the answers. You just need to show up as your best self and use your unique gifts to make a difference.

Liberation is not a one-time event. It is a practice. It is a commitment. It is something we wake up and choose pursue every single day.

So, if you are asking, What do we do? Start here.

Reflection Questions:

1. What areas of my life need attention before I can sustainably show up for my community?
2. What strengths, skills, or resources do I have that I can contribute?
3. What issue resonates with me the most? How can I take small, consistent steps toward change?
4. How can I integrate knowledge, action, and reflection into my daily life?
5. What is one thing I can do this week to move from awareness to action?

I invite you to subscribe to my newsletter. I create content to equip people with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to impact change in their lives and communities.

Stay in the KAR with me. We will continue learning together, taking action together, and reflecting together. If you are starting with yourself, check out this video!

With love and progress,

Tamera