Finding Inspiration

Because the news is meant to alert us to dangers, we get a pretty consistent diet of disturbing and scary news these days. Depression, knots in the pit of your stomach, fatigue, feeling powerless, and PTSD can result. Here’s my way of holding onto hope and maintaining agency.

Nuggets of Gold

I find attending to the news a bit like mining for gold … digging through a mountain of dirt to find the prize. There are nuggets of gold to be found. Here are a few that I found recently.

• The Parents Circle … Twice I’ve seen interviews with Israeli and Palestinian parents who lost children in the years of conflict between their two cultures. Even while the current war in the Middle East rages, these parents continue to work together for peace. I am in awe of their courage, ability to forgive, affection for each other, willingness to devote their lives to this higher purpose, and the wisdom that undergirds their message.

• An Interview with Mohammad Darawshe … a Palestinian Israeli living in a small town near Nazareth where his ancestors have lived for 800 years. He has devoted the past 23 years of his life to an organization that works to connect Israeli and Palestinian youth to reduce racism through honest dialogue about their interdependency & their differences. The Givat Haviva Education Center received a UNESCO prize for their success. Even while sharing great pain about the impact of this recent war on his family and his people, he advocates for being part of the solution … standing on the side of the solution. He sees ordinary citizen’s willing to do that, but not the politicians. I am impressed with his gentleness as he speaks truth, with his commitment to his principles and values even in these most difficult of times.

• Christiane Amanpour appeared almost wordless as she interviewed two young fathers (late 30s/early 40s) with young elementary-school-age sons. As if in a trance, she asked them, “Don’t you think this is extraordinary?” These two young men … one Jewish and the other Palestinian … met at an Israeli-Palestinian demonstration. They clicked with each other and became friends. They now join forces advocating for peace among these two groups of people … in their country and in the Middle East. I noticed how laid back they seemed … like it wasn’t a big deal that they became friends … that they would join together in the service of a better world for their sons … like isn’t that something anyone would do. What models they are for a better way of being in the world.

More Signs of Hope

A PBS documentary titled A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy is based on Richard Haass’ (former USA Director of Policy Planning) new book, The Bill of Obligations: The 10 Habits of Good Citizens.

1. Be informed
2. Get involved
3. Stay open to compromise
4. Remain civil
5. Reject violence
6. Value norms
7. Promote the common good
8. Respect government service
9. Support the teaching of civics
10. Put country first

Numerous examples are lifted up demonstrating how the power is with people who are committed to abiding by these obligations and practicing these habits. Among my favorites are:

• Most exciting was the Teen Fact Checking Network. Teens are trained in fact checking skills and then teach other teens on social media how to fact check for themselves. Young people intent on making a difference give me so much hope.  

• Two celebrated journalists, one liberal & one conservative, discussed their different perspectives and how they came to believe what they believe. In the process they became friends and started the Great Lakes Civility Project. They provide opportunities for people to talk together as people, not adversaries. Through sharing personal stories, they relay how they came to believe what they do. In the process, they focus on their similarities and become friends.

• I graduated high school in 1960. Civics was a part of our curriculum. That is no longer the case and contributes to some disturbing findings … Only 30% of Americans born since 2008 rate it essential to live in a democracy; 1 in 3 Americans say they might consider abolishing or eliminating the Supreme Court; 44% of Americans cannot name the three branches of government.

• This is a good news/bad news story. Angus King, Independent from Maine and James Lankford, Republican from Oklahoma were featured in A Citizen’s Guide to Preserving Democracy for having introduced Civics Education legislation in Congress. Upon researching this, I learned they introduced this legislation in 2013 … and apparently are still working to get it passed.

• A New York City program, Do Something, is filling the gap by teaching school-age youth what democracy means, how it relates to them, & how they can be actively engaged. There are a number of campaigns for youth to choose from.

Sources of Good News

Stories of everyday heroism can be dropped into your inbox weekly from Karuna News. (Sandscript word for compassion) A recent issue featured, among other things, a story about How Philadelphia’s Faith Communities Held Together Amidst the Israel-Hamas War. They did it through personal and emotional conversations.

I’m new to Positive News, an outlet devoted to writing about what went right in their weekly newsletter. They also have a magazine. One article this week features nine data-driven reasons to look beyond doomsday headlines.

The Americans of Conscience newsletter is for heart-centered activists. In addition to their list of actions citizens can take, they always celebrate the good news of accomplishments made as a result. This week’s newsletter cited this good news:

• 16-year-olds in Michigan can now pre-register to vote
• New York City officials banned the inhumane practice of solitary confinement in jails
• Three major manufacturers capped the price of insulin at $35

Even more good news can be found at this link. I was impressed with this story about people seeking refuge being able to apply for U.S. asylum from offices in Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Ecuador, thus avoiding the physical dangers of the journey to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Please share at least one good news story you’ve heard recently!

And/or, share a sign of hope you have recently encountered!