getting through, not out of

My grandma used to say "it's not what happens to you, it's how you happen back."  Wise words in an easy to remember catch phrase.   But right now, we are really experiencing pressure on our ability to  "happen back."  

The stress of the global pandemic,  the tension of the current political climate, the overdue reckoning on race and America --it can all feel overwhelming.  These are serious and challenging realities.  To respond, I'd like to make the serious case for optimism.

How can optimism help? Lets start with what optimism isn't.  Optimism isn't all pep talks and cheerfulness.  And it is not the same as confidence.  Optimism is also not the absence of criticism.  In fact, criticism is, in its own way, an expression of optimism.  

While optimism can be expressed with an upbeat attitude, confidence, and even criticism, what it comes down to is more than way of behaving.  It is a way of being.  A personal belief in better days to come.  Ultimately that belief is grounded in an internal dialog, not an external expression.  What are you saying to yourself about how you respond, adjust, adapt and make a difference?  

In coaching, that dialog is facilitated.  I like to put it this way:  this partnership approach looks like a conversation between  you, the coach, and you again. That's not the same as talking to yourself or even your friends.  It is instead an intentional and creative process to expand possibilities.  

We're going to get through these tough times, but not out of tough times.  To forge a better future, we commit to doing the work.  Optimism can fuel the work.   I think grandma would approve.