Struggling with hopelessness about the state of the world
I am young (22 years old), and for the past couple of years I have been extremely worried about many things. One of my biggest concerns is the deterioration of the world. Our Earth is becoming more and more polluted, people are growing increasingly divided, and democracies are weakening. I could go on and on. It makes me feel deeply sad and hopeless.
I am moved by the Bodhisattva vow. I think it is a beautiful aspiration, and I try to live by it. However, I find that my worries quickly take over. This makes me feel disappointed in myself because I genuinely could do more. I could be more compassionate, more generous, and a better Buddhist. Yet because of this hopelessness, I often become lazy and unmotivated. How can I vow to save all sentient beings and end all delusions if this is how the current state of the world makes me feel?
I also feel disconnected from the world. Perhaps, throughout my life, I have unconsciously avoided truly connecting with it out of fear. Because of this, I feel lonely, and that loneliness seems to make my emotions even stronger.
I know this is a somewhat disconnected rant, and I hope it does not bring anyone else down. That is not my intention. How can I overcome this sense of hopelessness in a Buddhist way? How can I cultivate compassion and continue walking the Bodhisattva path without becoming overwhelmed by the suffering I see in the world?
Thank you for reading my post, and my best wishes to you all.