~ Ten Reasons for Hope ~
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Feeling down about the state of the world?
Here are ten reasons that help me feel hopeful
Here are ten reasons that help me feel hopeful
1. Life is inherently hopeful
Birth always follows death. Day always follows night. Spring always follows winter. The cycle of life has gone for billions of years and will continue to do so, no matter what happens. To live is to hope and to be hopeful is to be in harmony with life.
2. We know more than ever before
This is very good news because the more we know, the more likely it is that we will take action. Awareness of climate change, social injustice, pollution, and racism is increasing. Although this does not guarantee that anything will be done, it certainly helps.
3. The future is uncertain
Although we know more than ever before, the future is uncertain. Prediction is not certainty. Uncertainty holds opportunities and possibilities as well as threats and danger.
4. We may be able to solve our environmental and social problems because we created them
It’s not as if something or someone else is responsible for the mess. No. We, the human species, did it to ourselves. Our thoughts, beliefs and actions made it happen. So there’s a good chance we can put an end to it.
5. Humankind is beginning to think globally
We are starting to understand that our problems are global. And this means that we are also beginning to grasp the scale of the changes that are needed to take effective action.
6. Positive social change is possible
The past is full of examples of ordinary people coming together to advance positive social change. Throughout human history, social movements have been the single most powerful force for progressive change.
7. There is a growing movement demanding change
Across the world, people from all sectors of society are standing up for what they believe in. From business leaders to activists and from artists to educators, this movement crosses national, generational and issue boundaries.
8. Hope can be learned
I know this because I have learned to be more hopeful. By exploring my own feelings about the state of the environment, I have learned to be hopeful. As jazz singer Eartha Kitt said “The tombstone will be my diploma.”
9. It is our responsibility to be hopeful
We owe it to each other and we owe it to future generations. If we are not hopeful, how can we expect others to be hopeful? If we give up, how can we expect them to keep going? Quite simply, we can’t.
10. Just because…what else would we do?
Even in tough times, human beings continue to put one foot in front of the other. Do we give up just because the future looks grim? No, we do whatever we can to make it better. Giving up is simply not an option. We are hopeful because it is the right thing to do.
These are my ten reasons for hope. What are yours?
Whatever your reasons for hope, hold onto them and cherish them. Hope is in short supply these days and we need all we can get. By being hopeful, we will have the creativity, courage and perseverance to stay positive and engaged - no matter what happens.
Based on Intrinsic Hope: Living Courageously in Troubled Times.
Birth always follows death. Day always follows night. Spring always follows winter. The cycle of life has gone for billions of years and will continue to do so, no matter what happens. To live is to hope and to be hopeful is to be in harmony with life.
2. We know more than ever before
This is very good news because the more we know, the more likely it is that we will take action. Awareness of climate change, social injustice, pollution, and racism is increasing. Although this does not guarantee that anything will be done, it certainly helps.
3. The future is uncertain
Although we know more than ever before, the future is uncertain. Prediction is not certainty. Uncertainty holds opportunities and possibilities as well as threats and danger.
4. We may be able to solve our environmental and social problems because we created them
It’s not as if something or someone else is responsible for the mess. No. We, the human species, did it to ourselves. Our thoughts, beliefs and actions made it happen. So there’s a good chance we can put an end to it.
5. Humankind is beginning to think globally
We are starting to understand that our problems are global. And this means that we are also beginning to grasp the scale of the changes that are needed to take effective action.
6. Positive social change is possible
The past is full of examples of ordinary people coming together to advance positive social change. Throughout human history, social movements have been the single most powerful force for progressive change.
7. There is a growing movement demanding change
Across the world, people from all sectors of society are standing up for what they believe in. From business leaders to activists and from artists to educators, this movement crosses national, generational and issue boundaries.
8. Hope can be learned
I know this because I have learned to be more hopeful. By exploring my own feelings about the state of the environment, I have learned to be hopeful. As jazz singer Eartha Kitt said “The tombstone will be my diploma.”
9. It is our responsibility to be hopeful
We owe it to each other and we owe it to future generations. If we are not hopeful, how can we expect others to be hopeful? If we give up, how can we expect them to keep going? Quite simply, we can’t.
10. Just because…what else would we do?
Even in tough times, human beings continue to put one foot in front of the other. Do we give up just because the future looks grim? No, we do whatever we can to make it better. Giving up is simply not an option. We are hopeful because it is the right thing to do.
These are my ten reasons for hope. What are yours?
Whatever your reasons for hope, hold onto them and cherish them. Hope is in short supply these days and we need all we can get. By being hopeful, we will have the creativity, courage and perseverance to stay positive and engaged - no matter what happens.
Based on Intrinsic Hope: Living Courageously in Troubled Times.