The past few weeks have been really tough for many people living in the United States. What we thought we knew of our democracy is being ripped away piece by piece. And this isn’t just a theoretical crumbling. Actual people are being hurt. I confess I’ve slipped into discouragement more often than I would care to admit. I’ve found myself wondering….. How could this be happening? What can I do about it? What can anyone do about it?  So far, I am left with the questions, as no answers seemed evident.

I know we’ve all had to deal with what’s happening in our own ways. Some have found solace in staying informed, knowledge offering a sense of control. Others have reclaimed their peace by tuning out and doing what good they can among their families and communities. Some have taken up new hobbies while others have been protesting at the state and national level. Some have been writing their legislators while others have been writing friends they haven’t seen in a while. There is no right or wrong way to live in these times. We all have to do whatever we can to take care of ourselves. Otherwise, we might fall into a pit of despair.

Recently, a community I am part of raised the idea of embracing radical optimism. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for this, but I was intrigued by their questions. Why not believe that a better world is possible? Why not look for the good in people instead of the bad? Why not believe we can make a difference in our families, our communities, our world? Why not?

When I think about our country today, it is so much easier to see the brokenness than to see the possibility. But when I think about my neighborhood, I see evidence connection and collaboration and hope. In the span of a weekend, one neighbor reached out to our neighborhood chat looking for a play date for his dog. Another neighbor – a professional baker – let us know that she baked several loaves of bread and a few dozen donuts not to sell, but to share with us. After a big snow storm, neighbors were out with their snow blowers helping others clear the ends of the driveways. It made me think of Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer’s poem “How It Might Continue”:

Wherever we go, the chance for joy,
whole orchards of amazement—

one more reason to always travel
with our pockets full of exclamation marks…

Our country is made up of neighborhoods just like mine and just like yours. So why not? Why not imagine a future of possibility for the towns and villages, cities and suburbs, street corners and hamlets that make up our nation?

The Latin root of the word possibility means to have power.  When we see the possibilities, we have power. When we envision what could be, we access our inner power – something that no one can take away from us. That’s no small thing. It is easy to believe that others have power and we don’t. Our power may not come from titles or wealth, but we have the power of “why not?” …. of radical optimism….. of believing in the possibility of a better world. As Adrienne Maree Brown writes, “I think it is healing behavior to look at something so broken and see the possibilities and wholeness in it.”

And even as we connect with the power of possibility, we need to honor our needs as vulnerable humans with hearts. As we try to heal the world, we can’t neglect our needs for joy, rest, and connection. We need to surround ourselves with people who see and nurture our light. We need to take time out for playfulness, whether that is a hobby we enjoy or time with people who bring out our silly selves. We also need time to rest, to just be, without concern for productivity or checking anything off our to-do lists.

As I’ve dealt with the grief, anger, and fear that has arisen in me over these past weeks, I’ve leaned into some of the comforting activities that ground me. Reading novels. Cuddling with my dogs. Dates with friends. Music. Watching a good show. When things seem dire, it is tempting to think we shouldn’t waste our time with what might be considered trivial pursuits….but I think that is the very time to lean into beauty, rest, and connection. These things remind us of our humanity in a world that seems disconnected.

The road ahead promises to be rough. There is no doubt about that. Yet, when we stay connected to those glimpses of a better world and those things that keep us grounded and connected to our humanity…. I’m beginning to think it might be possible. Why not?