We do live in an incredibly amazing world. Why do we not feel hopeful about our species’ existence?

We must not let pandemic fatigue become the new collective emotional normal. There are still millions of things to celebrate. There are polar bears in the world! And dilapidated ruins of ancient civilizations all over the planet, full of history and art. Our planet’s tilt and rotation is such that we enjoy these things called seasons, as the abundant water and air moves around and changes.

There is work to do, yes. Work we must do. It’s imperative we address some of our biggest problems. But despair does not get us out; it only guarantees dread’s foreboding.

Fight it. Embrace all the good and wonderful in the world, all the awe that makes up our universe, the splendor that is life. If we do that, we can change the world.