Reclaiming Hope Amid Fear – Post-Election Day (Part 2)
The 2022 elections are over, and the political instability once predicted seems to have passed. But the challenges people face in their lives have not magically evaporated because of one election season, nor have future political shenanigans. You, me and others who believe in creating a more inclusive, hopeful path moving forward must act—and with renewed intentionality. There is work to do, progress to make, hope to build. Now.
Last week I wrote to you about the need to reclaim hope. Today, I want to speak with you about what that will take.
Now, before reading on, I want you to pause, open your eyes wide, plant your feet squarely on the ground, and face reality with me. Got it? Let’s go.
There is a vacuum of trust, shared action, and meaningful progress in our communities and society today. When I ask people who they trust, silence often ensues. Many organizations and groups are defining narrower agendas at the expense of discovering common agendas. Many people no longer believe that progress is possible; their hope twists and turns and wanes.
Who among us will fill this vacuum? Here’s my answer: We must—those of us who believe that hope matters; that real progress is more possible when we act together; that it is indeed necessary to push back on those forces that seek to divide, spread fear, and win at any cost. Let us say it out loud: Enough is enough!
Here’s what each of us can do to reclaim hope in our lives, communities, and nation:
See yourself as an ‘agent of hope.’ Think of hope as a verb—it is something you can actively choose to create through your words and actions. What you do matters. We desperately need more agents of hope, and you can be one.
Make the invisible visible. Each day, you and others take actions that build progress, but it can be hard to see when you’re mired in the work. Make visible your progress, and lift it up for you and others to see. No need to oversell it; the challenges we face take time to address. Let’s reclaim hope along the way.
Value actions big and small. A dangerous belief grips society that only large-scale, complex efforts count. Nonsense. Of course, systemic change on a host of challenges is needed; but many of the actions we can take now to restore hope will be small. All actions, big and small, are worthy.
Create shared actions. No one leader, organization, or group can effectively tackle the challenges we face. We need each other. Let’s do it together.
Filling the vacuum and reclaiming hope requires you and me to show up. Real forces are acting to divide us; truth be told, so too is our own unwillingness to break down silos, forge relationships, deal with hard issues, and create a sense of shared purpose.
I know we can fill this vacuum. I have witnessed it in communities in all 50 states, with people from all political persuasions and all demographics and all lived experiences. After all, we are all human; we each need hope. All of us.
It’s time. Let’s go. Please write back to me your thoughts.