‘Hope is a thing with feathers…’ wrote Emily Dickinson.
Feathers are wonderful. Wing feathers are asymmetrical: each unique, fitting perfectly together, enabling flight. A feather on its own has lost its purpose; strength is the combination of qualities.
In Greek mythology, Icharus’ father Daedalus created wings from feathers and wax. In the rash overconfidence of youth, Icharus disregarded his father’s warnings and flew too close to the sun. It’s ironic that we were shaken into facing the facts about global warming by a teenager, Greta Thunberg, in 2019. She raised awareness of climate change worldwide and I found others who shared my fears. We spread the message, and I felt a glimmer of hope that warnings would be heeded… but I sometimes feel like Daedalus.
Active hope and Protective mindsets
The government declared a climate emergency, but hope faded as the issue of climate became politicised. The population was divided; campaigners were silenced and business as usual continued. I want to believe future generations will solve the problems we’re creating. I want some technological fix to enable us to fulfil all our wants and needs but I know that is denial of the truth.
Actions to reduce our individual impact can seem futile and it’s tempting to sink into powerless despair. The word ‘action’ can be broken into three words: act, I, on. The “I” in the middle is lonely and helpless. Climate psychology has shown that action with others brings hope, as Joanna Macy affirms in the book Active Hope.
Working together for change brings hope, thereby changing our mindset away from denial and despair. This is not the same as unrealistic optimism. Active hope is keeping the truth whilst working with our own unique talents for the change we want to see. We are scientists, engineers, communicators, artists, entertainers, visionaries, and much more. Finding our talent and passion and working for change: Clover Hogan calls this our “Superpower” in her TED talk. Clover Hogan Youtube Post : TEDx LondonWomen ‘Denial or despair? How to change your climate change story’
Working for change can be exhausting. I can build hope, but I can also sense it breaking down. Denial of reality can become a retreat, and despair can be mentally damaging. Both mindsets sap our ability to make a difference. A lovely place to rest and renew my strength is within the natural world. It can heal us and restore itself if we just let go. There is wisdom in the Quaker advice to live simply.
A tool for individual and group reflection
I reflected on hopes and fears with a group of Friends at the Living our Peace Testimony gathering in York, organised by the Northern Friends Peace Board. We built a triangular model with active hope at the top and denial and despair along the bottom. This became a framework for discussion. I can place myself high on the triangle as I write this article, but this place is hard to maintain. Maintaining a central point with the natural world as a resting place is my aim. The arrows inside the triangle indicate flux.
It is easy to lose hope and become powerless in the face of looming disaster. Working with others to build a better future restores my hope. Living simply is where I find rest and peace.
Bernie Jordan
