This is a lovely way to think about the world we a currently in. I'll be keeping this in my head. Thank you for sharing, as always. Also loved the phrase, "Delicious Ripper of a Birthday Cake."
Does "Delicious Ripper of a Birthday Cake" have an Aussie vibe to it? You don't know what you take for granted as normal until someone else points it out!
A really interesting question. I just love these words: "When I look for the helpers, for those with open hearts, taking whatever small steps they can, when I look for glimmers, awe and joy, optimism does become a self-fulfilling prophecy and makes it easier to walk the path with company of other good souls." I would definitely describe myself as an optimist. Living a life of optimism and hope is what keeps me going in the face of the huge uncertainties in the world. If I didn't, I think it would be a very slippery slope downwards into apathy.
I love that thoughtful juxtaposition of optimism/hope against apathy. We definitely need a feeling of possibility to keep things moving. Thank you for sharing. xo
I love this explanation of optimism versus pessimism and it makes sense to me. I think I’ll have to change my definition of myself. I used to think I was an optimist but I think in my past it was rather more that I would become unrealistic and given to a fantasy of reality might be and then be disappointed by reality so I guess but that definition actually I was a pessimist - constantly being disappointed by reality I thought I was entitled to - but I had a fantasy of optimism.🤪
This book sounds like an interesting read. I’ll have to add it to my list. I would love to know what a climate experts think is going to happen. Thanks for this post. It was very thought-provoking!
Glad to be poking your thoughts! I love the description of “a fantasy of optimism”. I did love Andrew’s book but I will also say, go gently with yourself if you have not read much on climate collapse, it is a lot if you are encountering it for the first time. I’d love to hear your thoughts. xo
Oh Gillian this post packs a punch. I really enjoy your writing as it’s always succinct, thought provoking and uplifting. Thank you.
My husband always complains that I’m a negative pessimistic person, but I believe I’m a realist. Not gonna lie lately I’ve found it hard to continue to have hope so maybe I have slipped over into pessimism 🤔 for me the answer is in allowing myself to acknowledge and celebrate the daily moments of hope, joy, awe and glimmers, even while the scary stuff is happening. To answer your question I’m not sure if I’m a glass half full or a glass half empty person but today I’m going to celebrate the fact my glass has something in it.
Kate, you are welcome! Thank you for the lovely compliment. Head over to Andrew’s post and have a read, he ends up concluding that we need both the optimism and pessimism to move forward, that the glass is both half full and half empty and it is our soul challenge to work out how to be with that in a way that facilitates action despite everything. I love that you are so open to having your thinking provoked!
I think you're right in that those of us that see the realities of what is happening to our planet need to be optimists to deal with it all, and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. There is still so much beauty in this world. It's an amazing place.
Sure is an amazing place - reminds me of that line in a Mary Oliver poem: “I was a bride married to amazement”. I am endlessless in awe and amazement. Thank you for my birthday wishes!
I like those definitions! I used to think optimism and pessimism were just personality traits. But for many people optimism is a choice they have to continually make.
If we don’t reflect on them, they probably do become personality traits. Your life experiences are so important in shaping your responses too. Thanks for popping in to say hi!
ooo I love that reminder that whether we think the glass is half empty or half full, we are right. Definitely something I need to sit with and actively work on as I scroll the doom of all the everything!
Happy birthday! I'm glimmer central over here - my top three would be seeing Kid1 officially become an adult (yay we made it!), the excitement of new projects, and finally getting my craft room clean and ready for more messes.
Congrats to you on 18 years! It is a long road isn't it! Also, you made me laugh at the getting the craft room clean - I know that roundabout, my workshop is a study in chaos theory and the second law of thermodynamics, Ha!
Thanks so much for sharing this, Gillian, and for recommending Andrew's newsletter. You've both done such a great job of capturing this growing tension that's becoming harder and harder to nudge out of sight into our tomorrows. A balance that, as you so eloquently put it, "makes it easier to walk the path with company of other good souls."
My personal answer to your very excellent question is that I am both half-empty and half-full. And this is so timely to me, as well, because my most recent example comes from a conversation I had with my oldest son just the other day. He was telling me that he’s really leaning towards pursuing a career in the conservation aspect of marine biology. And I told him, “That’s fantastic! The thing about conservation as a career is that you will never accomplish it - but every single effort you make along that path is inherently doing good. And that’s a really rare and valuable thing to be able to fall back on when a day comes along that gets discouraging.” Half-empty (maybe a bit bleakly empty if we're being honest🤣) - but half-full as well!
I'm so glad it resonated for you. Yes, I think that duality is the work that is being asked of us now. Brilliant if your son can go into conservation work with eyes wide open and the capacity to hold both. Thanks for the chuckle re half empty and a bit leaky - my Dad said almost exactly the same thing! You also reminded me that one of my other favourite climate thinkers, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is now on substack: https://ayanaelizabeth.substack.com/, she is a marine biologist!
Dear Gillian, it looks like you are cracking the code for how to live with the realities, challenges and the glimmers 💖 This is excellent, so have re stacked.
If you are interested a lot of data is available about how the projected “Climate Crisis” , it is still projection…The temperature data is highly suspect being taken on airport runways etc. Not many people want to question the powerful Climate Crisis narrative. I say this to stop all the fear mongering, that is damaging especially to the young.
Susan, I think we will always disagree on this point. I concede that modelling and prediction are imperfect tools. Our difference of opinion on this point intrigues me as you and I are aligned on so many other things. It has forced me to reflect honestly on why I "believe" in the climate crisis and why I am concerned. It is a much larger answer than I can provide here but you inspired a valuable reflection on personal narrative and sense making, which we all do, mostly unconsciously. So, thank you for your honesty, it has made me reflect on why I think the things I do, which is always a good thing!
Dear Gillian, I appreciate any disagreement and differences we may have and to still keep talking. I also totally understand as I was an activist to stop Climate Change for over 20 years. I left my family behind to live as sustainably as possible. All for the Climate Crisis , so this is a complete sea change for me and one I am still exploring …”The Climate Crisis” has become like a religion that is not allowed to be questioned . We are destructive and environments are damaged by our activities, but I no longer think we are doomed by the earth warming. More of this on another day. Let’s enjoy this one and all the wonderful glimmers. Mine is the sun shining on the sea this morning. Much love Susan x
This is a lovely way to think about the world we a currently in. I'll be keeping this in my head. Thank you for sharing, as always. Also loved the phrase, "Delicious Ripper of a Birthday Cake."
Does "Delicious Ripper of a Birthday Cake" have an Aussie vibe to it? You don't know what you take for granted as normal until someone else points it out!
Ah, that explains it!! I can easily say that I’ve not heard that before but love it! I immediately thought, “that has got to be some terrific cake!”
A really interesting question. I just love these words: "When I look for the helpers, for those with open hearts, taking whatever small steps they can, when I look for glimmers, awe and joy, optimism does become a self-fulfilling prophecy and makes it easier to walk the path with company of other good souls." I would definitely describe myself as an optimist. Living a life of optimism and hope is what keeps me going in the face of the huge uncertainties in the world. If I didn't, I think it would be a very slippery slope downwards into apathy.
I love that thoughtful juxtaposition of optimism/hope against apathy. We definitely need a feeling of possibility to keep things moving. Thank you for sharing. xo
Also - happy birthday! Nothing as special as a homemade cake made by someone who loves you :)
I love this explanation of optimism versus pessimism and it makes sense to me. I think I’ll have to change my definition of myself. I used to think I was an optimist but I think in my past it was rather more that I would become unrealistic and given to a fantasy of reality might be and then be disappointed by reality so I guess but that definition actually I was a pessimist - constantly being disappointed by reality I thought I was entitled to - but I had a fantasy of optimism.🤪
This book sounds like an interesting read. I’ll have to add it to my list. I would love to know what a climate experts think is going to happen. Thanks for this post. It was very thought-provoking!
Glad to be poking your thoughts! I love the description of “a fantasy of optimism”. I did love Andrew’s book but I will also say, go gently with yourself if you have not read much on climate collapse, it is a lot if you are encountering it for the first time. I’d love to hear your thoughts. xo
Good advice 🙏🏻
Oh Gillian this post packs a punch. I really enjoy your writing as it’s always succinct, thought provoking and uplifting. Thank you.
My husband always complains that I’m a negative pessimistic person, but I believe I’m a realist. Not gonna lie lately I’ve found it hard to continue to have hope so maybe I have slipped over into pessimism 🤔 for me the answer is in allowing myself to acknowledge and celebrate the daily moments of hope, joy, awe and glimmers, even while the scary stuff is happening. To answer your question I’m not sure if I’m a glass half full or a glass half empty person but today I’m going to celebrate the fact my glass has something in it.
Thanks for making me think
Kate, you are welcome! Thank you for the lovely compliment. Head over to Andrew’s post and have a read, he ends up concluding that we need both the optimism and pessimism to move forward, that the glass is both half full and half empty and it is our soul challenge to work out how to be with that in a way that facilitates action despite everything. I love that you are so open to having your thinking provoked!
Happy belated birthday Gillian 🎂
I think you're right in that those of us that see the realities of what is happening to our planet need to be optimists to deal with it all, and there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic. There is still so much beauty in this world. It's an amazing place.
Sure is an amazing place - reminds me of that line in a Mary Oliver poem: “I was a bride married to amazement”. I am endlessless in awe and amazement. Thank you for my birthday wishes!
I think I run on empty, lol.
Seriously though. I am probably a bouncer, or a splashier, you know I go back and forth. So I might be called a mixer, lol.
I love that! A mixer - exactly that rollercoaster feeling :)
Yep
Ay-yuh
I like those definitions! I used to think optimism and pessimism were just personality traits. But for many people optimism is a choice they have to continually make.
If we don’t reflect on them, they probably do become personality traits. Your life experiences are so important in shaping your responses too. Thanks for popping in to say hi!
ooo I love that reminder that whether we think the glass is half empty or half full, we are right. Definitely something I need to sit with and actively work on as I scroll the doom of all the everything!
Happy birthday! I'm glimmer central over here - my top three would be seeing Kid1 officially become an adult (yay we made it!), the excitement of new projects, and finally getting my craft room clean and ready for more messes.
Congrats to you on 18 years! It is a long road isn't it! Also, you made me laugh at the getting the craft room clean - I know that roundabout, my workshop is a study in chaos theory and the second law of thermodynamics, Ha!
I need a sparkle. Thank you
Delighted to send you a sparkle Tinabeth - Welcome!
Thanks so much for sharing this, Gillian, and for recommending Andrew's newsletter. You've both done such a great job of capturing this growing tension that's becoming harder and harder to nudge out of sight into our tomorrows. A balance that, as you so eloquently put it, "makes it easier to walk the path with company of other good souls."
My personal answer to your very excellent question is that I am both half-empty and half-full. And this is so timely to me, as well, because my most recent example comes from a conversation I had with my oldest son just the other day. He was telling me that he’s really leaning towards pursuing a career in the conservation aspect of marine biology. And I told him, “That’s fantastic! The thing about conservation as a career is that you will never accomplish it - but every single effort you make along that path is inherently doing good. And that’s a really rare and valuable thing to be able to fall back on when a day comes along that gets discouraging.” Half-empty (maybe a bit bleakly empty if we're being honest🤣) - but half-full as well!
I'm so glad it resonated for you. Yes, I think that duality is the work that is being asked of us now. Brilliant if your son can go into conservation work with eyes wide open and the capacity to hold both. Thanks for the chuckle re half empty and a bit leaky - my Dad said almost exactly the same thing! You also reminded me that one of my other favourite climate thinkers, Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is now on substack: https://ayanaelizabeth.substack.com/, she is a marine biologist!
Dear Gillian, it looks like you are cracking the code for how to live with the realities, challenges and the glimmers 💖 This is excellent, so have re stacked.
If you are interested a lot of data is available about how the projected “Climate Crisis” , it is still projection…The temperature data is highly suspect being taken on airport runways etc. Not many people want to question the powerful Climate Crisis narrative. I say this to stop all the fear mongering, that is damaging especially to the young.
Susan, I think we will always disagree on this point. I concede that modelling and prediction are imperfect tools. Our difference of opinion on this point intrigues me as you and I are aligned on so many other things. It has forced me to reflect honestly on why I "believe" in the climate crisis and why I am concerned. It is a much larger answer than I can provide here but you inspired a valuable reflection on personal narrative and sense making, which we all do, mostly unconsciously. So, thank you for your honesty, it has made me reflect on why I think the things I do, which is always a good thing!
Dear Gillian, I appreciate any disagreement and differences we may have and to still keep talking. I also totally understand as I was an activist to stop Climate Change for over 20 years. I left my family behind to live as sustainably as possible. All for the Climate Crisis , so this is a complete sea change for me and one I am still exploring …”The Climate Crisis” has become like a religion that is not allowed to be questioned . We are destructive and environments are damaged by our activities, but I no longer think we are doomed by the earth warming. More of this on another day. Let’s enjoy this one and all the wonderful glimmers. Mine is the sun shining on the sea this morning. Much love Susan x
I’ll look forward to talking with you about it. I am fascinated by how we each sense make in this post-truth world. Wishing you a lovely day too.
That’s all some of us are doing, trying to make sense of it…not even it all !
I have such respect for those who are questioning , exploring and taking action, it is not an easy path.
That’s why the majority don’t do it. X
Thanks for the intro and link to @thetragicoptimist , that is such a good article 🙏🏻