Optimism is so important. I believe in being realistic, which can mean facing hard realities. But without a stubborn belief that we can improve things, we won't do anything and then we are guaranteed that nothing will change.
Feeling overwhelmed by the immensity of interlinked challenges we face, I recently returned to the work of Joanna Macey. She was a veteran empowerment worker who's been involved in a multitude of movements. A revised version of her book Active Hope was released last year - while it won't gel with everyone there are abundant practical and philosophical insighs to draw on. https://www.activehope.info/
I fear we're flipping from the frying pan into the fire. It's hard to keep up, but when something new comes along I have to ask who benefits, who controls this and who decides (to paraphrase Shosaana Zuboff).
Thanks again for the wonderful mahi you do, I look forward to it every week
Optimism is so important. I believe in being realistic, which can mean facing hard realities. But without a stubborn belief that we can improve things, we won't do anything and then we are guaranteed that nothing will change.
Thank you for your mahi. It brings me hope that people like you are here sharing and supporting us to do better.
I’ve definitely become more proactive since signing up to your substack - though I still have a long way to go.
Kia ora Jenny, We have been feeling the doom too lately. Thanks for the new perspective. Kua whakapau kaha koe ki te mahi tino pai.
Feeling overwhelmed by the immensity of interlinked challenges we face, I recently returned to the work of Joanna Macey. She was a veteran empowerment worker who's been involved in a multitude of movements. A revised version of her book Active Hope was released last year - while it won't gel with everyone there are abundant practical and philosophical insighs to draw on. https://www.activehope.info/
I fear we're flipping from the frying pan into the fire. It's hard to keep up, but when something new comes along I have to ask who benefits, who controls this and who decides (to paraphrase Shosaana Zuboff).
I challenge you -- what purpose does your optimism serve? Does your effortful optimism actually improve circumstances?
https://thespouter.substack.com/p/why-it-doesnt-matter-if-you-give