Are hope & optimism under attack?

Fear breeds egocentric behavior and irrational, emotional reactions. It can overwhelm and extinguish hope and optimism. In today's world with fear dominating the reactions and responses of so many people, I have to wonder if hope and optimism are included in the fatalities from the pandemic.

When I consider this alone, while I am feeling the anxiety and panic rise in my chest as I contemplate the worst for me or my loved ones, then I may emphatically say, "Yes!" these beautiful traits are extinguished and beyond my grasp. But when I step back and allow the emotions to subside, I consider the matter much more objectively and from a higher level to include all of those in the world, I realize that no, of course hope and optimism are not dead. They are only beginning to come to life.

Under current circumstances where we are facing the unknown and have some level of fear and anxiety around the future, this is the perfect breeding ground for hope. It is in this environment and in these kinds of times that hope thrives.

We see it every day if we look for it.

• Millions of Americans are choosing to stay home to protect not only themselves but also others.

• Many companies are actively supporting work from home endeavors and striving for creative solutions.

• Other companies are altering their manufacturing to an item in need for this battle against COVID-19.

• Families are spending more time together.

• Health care workers are willingly stepping up to be on the front lines and risk their own safety in this war on the pandemic.

• Some company owners are paying their employees salaries out of their own pocket.

• Teachers are honoring their students and families by driving parades through neighborhoods.

• Soccer coaches are creating YouTube videos and creative contests with video to engage their players both physically and mentally.

• Work out instructors are leading a class from a courtyard to encourage participation from all tenants from their balconies.

• Neighborhoods of families are spontaneously breaking out in song in unison.

• Communities are putting teddy bears out in the front to say hello to all the passersby.

• Families are writing positive messages on the sidewalk with chalk to share with others.

• There is unflappably a renewed respect and appreciation for truck drivers, delivery workers, medical personnel, and first teachers.

• A Best Buy employee brought an elderly World War II veteran into the store before everyone else, even when the veteran tried to refuse special treatment.

• A woman left food on her neighbor's front porch after having seen a comment on social media.

• Some family members are visiting loved ones in nursing homes by sitting outside the window.

• Kids everywhere are writing letters to people who are isolated in nursing homes.

• More foster families are taking in animals confined to a shelter.

So many signs of humanity. So much love. So much caring and support. This is why there is hope and optimism growing.

Every cloud has a silver lining; the glass is always half full, or simply a lesson in the rewards that eventually come from sacrifice, but there are good things resulting from current events. "Nothing worth achieving is without obstacle." Hope and optimism are certainly not a fatality of the pandemic but an outcome. There may be other positive outcomes to come as well...

Hang tough America. We will persevere. We will prevail.