“I will not allow my life’s light to be determined by the darkness around me.”
Sojourner Truth (1797- 1883)
“Why do I even want to write a blog?” I have been procrastinating for some time. Now as I sit at my computer and stare at the blank screen, I wonder “Why do I want to write?” The writer Anais Nin believed
“One writes because one has to create a world in which one can live.”
Reading the news or even exchanging greetings with my neighbors in the elevator of my condo complex, I cannot get away from reminders of what our current President is destroying! His quest for power means losing our democracy or letting the poor and hungry starve and die because he canceled US foreign aid. I am concerned that life will only get worse. And I worry about the future for my grandsons.
I do not want to live in this kind of world. Parker Palmer suggests that writers and readers together can generate the energy to turn words into the action of social change which reinforces hope for the future. So, I wonder if sharing my words can generate some of the energy needed to prompt action for social change. I want to live in a country with others who share common values about democracy, freedom, and justice. I want to live in country where we all agree that it is worthwhile to live a life of service and to share in the common good. Hope makes such a future possible.
I am reminded that Vaclav Havel, a writer and thinker I admire, says that hope is
“...a state of mind not a state of the world. Either we have hope within us or we don’t; it is a dimension of the soul…It is an orientation of the spirit, an orientation of the heart; it transcends the world that is immediately experienced and is anchored somewhere beyond its horizons. Hope in this deep and powerful sense, is not the same as joy that things are going well or willingness to invest in enterprises that are obviously headed for early success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed.”
Thus, I turn inward to explore my state of mind, to search for my spirit of hope. Here I can reinforce my sense that I have something to work toward because it is good and right. My experience with my inner journey in the past has brought peace, hope and resolve. Gratitude is the path that leads me to this inner place of spirit and hope. I am grateful to all the people who have helped me become who I am, by offering me loving kindness, support, and courage. Gratitude is the recognition of the good in my life. When I ignore or neglect my sense of gratitude, the future seems bleak and hopeless. But gratitude can bring me through these hard places. It is a tonic for the heart, the soul, and the mind. It fuels my compassion and courage to work toward the world in which I want to live. The future then becomes brighter. I can look for the glimmer of light in the darkness which helps me resist the negative, the destruction and the undermining of democracy. Gratitude helps to expand the light of hope and the belief in the principles of equality, freedom, and justice.
In my desired world, we must learn to speak and listen, to exchange ideas in ways that help advance and build community. Such free exchange is only possible when we live and speak the truth with respect, trusting others enough to keep exploring and creating the energy to turn words into action and listening for the clues which support our lives in service to the common good.
I believe we must have hope to resist authoritarianism and hate. Hope empowers us to work for democracy, freedom, and community because it is good, because it will benefit us all.
Jane Goodall, who I have followed with admiration for many years, said among her last words:
“I want you to understand that we are part of the natural world. And even today, when the planet is dark, there still is hope. Do not lose hope. If you lose hope, you become apathetic and do nothing. And if you want to save what is still beautiful in this world – if you want to save the planet for the future generations, your grandchildren, their grandchildren – then think about the actions you take each day.“
We need hope to continue the fight. We can save democracy for future generations. But, if we allow hopelessness and apathy to take over, if we do not vote, resist or speak out against injustice. democracy will die.
In closing, I firmly believe that gratitude and hope will keep us going throughout this attack on democracy and decency. How do you find hope?
Bev – thanks for your heartfelt and meaningful writing. You offer a model for others to follow. A quote from Bryan Stevenson: ” Injustice prevails where hopelessness persists. Hope is your superpower.” Barb
I appreciated this post! I agree that gratitude is key to remain hopeful and happy in hard times.
I find understanding each side is key to our progress in the country. Understanding is hard, especially with such polarized issues, but I think agreement is even harder. So we must begin with understanding!
I appreciate your optimism – like many of us, I am counting on the next few generations to bring us back into alignment with nature and with one another. As a great-grandmother, I have to believe that the life force will triumph over bad decisions and evil intentions and emerge to bloom and thrive.
Oh Bev … this is a thoughtful and hopeful entry. “Yes” to hope and gratitude. Let’s keep the vision together of what we know to be life-affirming and advances the common good. Thank-you Bev.