Today I’d like to share some quotes from Jane Goodall’s latest book, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times. Lord knows, we are living in trying times. Some days it’s hard to hold onto hope. I find that I can only listen to the news or read about current events for a limited period of time. And then I need to take a break and regain my present moment awareness.
I have always loved reading Jane Goodall’s books. And I find her latest book a welcome antidote to the discouragement I’ve been feeling about current events
Hope for Trying Times
Probably the question I am asked more often than any other is: Do you honestly believe there is hope for our world? For the future of our children and grandchildren? And I am able to answer truthfully, yes.
— Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times
I am facing up to the facts. And on many days I admit that I feel depressed, days when it seems that the efforts, the struggles, and the sacrifices of so many people fighting for social and environmental justice, fighting prejudice and racism and greed, are fighting a losing battle….
But each time I become depressed I think of all the amazing stories of courage, steadfastness, and determination of those who are fighting the “forces of evil.” For yes, I do believe there is evil among us. But how much more powerful and inspirational are the voices of those who stand up against it. And even when they lose their lives, their voices still resonate long after they are gone, giving us inspiration, and hope—hope in the ultimate goodness of this strange, conflicted human animal that evolved from an apelike creature some six million years ago.
— Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times
Sometimes I think, “Well, why on Earth do I feel hopeful?” Because the problems facing the planet are huge. And if I analyze them carefully, they do sometimes seem absolutely impossible to solve. So why do I feel hopeful? Partly, because I’m obstinate. I just won’t give in. But it’s partly also because we cannot accurately predict what the future might bring. We simply can’t. No one can know how it will all turn out.
— Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times
Hope is often misunderstood. People tend to think that it is simply passive wishful thinking: I hope something will happen but I’m not going to do anything about it. This is indeed the opposite of real hope, which requires action and engagement… The cumulative effect of thousands of ethical actions can help save and improve our world for future generations.
— Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times
I knew that Jane’s hopefulness in spite of grim global realities was focused on four main reasons for hope: the amazing human intellect, the resilience of nature, the power of youth, and the indomitable human spirit.
— Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams, The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times
So here is one little way that I took action recently. Though it’s so small as to be insignificant on it’s own, when each of us makes little efforts in mending our world they add up.
Recently I noticed that my light summer robe was beginning to come apart in a couple of places. My first reaction was to begin looking online for a replacement robe. But then, inspired by both of my daughters, who have been recently doing a lot of mending and hand sewing, I thought, “Why not mend it instead of throwing it away?” So I gathered needle and thread and mended the worn areas. Can you see the mends I made?
What brings you hope in trying times, my friends? And how will you engage yourself in active hope by taking actions to make a difference? How will you help in mending our world?
May you walk in beauty.
Goldfinch at the bird feeder this morning
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