2020: Hold on to Hope

by: Josh Fassnacht

2020 cannot seem to get any more troubling until the next event occurs. The current pandemic continues to put the capacities of various hospitals under dire stress while COVID-19 safety precautions continue to not be met by populations around the globe. As many grade schools and universities move courses online, teachers, students, and parents alike are facing various challenges along with forced adaptations... or a lack thereof [adaptation]. The globe is facing a great economic downturn as the pandemic continues to increase global speculation while placing high tensions on global businesses, the supply of jobs, and the states of global economies. In the middle of all of this, the trend of unjust brutality and fatal shootings by police in the United States has managed to climb to even higher ground all while the rate of fatal shootings among the Black American population by US police remains substantially higher than the rate of fatal shootings among any other ethnicity. This list can continue on a great deal further, which for many begs the question: Is there any hope left?

Well, it depends on what the hope is for... to go back to "normal?" Not a chance. To move our planet forward and to grow into an increasingly matured and better place than it was before and during the pandemic? Yes, that is the answer.

The Optimistic truth is that there is no doubt that the globe will overcome its current state, but the Pragmatic follow up to that is: What is everyone to do? What needs to occur so that the virus can be contained, so that a vaccine can be achieved, so quality education can be restored (and more accessible), so unjust and brutal and racial violence by authorities can be put to an end, so that the future generations can live on a clean and sustainable planet... What is everyone to do?

Everybody is to simply do their part. That means vote, that means have educational and enlightening conversations with those around you, that means volunteer (if you can), get involved and/or educated on local politics, that means be intentional and loving with your word, that means live a sustainable and low-waste life, that means exclude nobody, that means becoming comfortable with change and adaptation...

There is so much opportunity for meaningful progress and unifying change within today's current struggles even when it may seem like there is no light at the end of this extensively disconcerting tunnel. but it is there. The light is there.

Just remember to hold on to hope. When everybody does their part in being the change that the world needs, the world will move forward leaving no person behind.

Hope needs action; action needs hope. Remain Pragmatically Optimistic.