Why it helps to be (slightly) optimistic on life
England does have a reputation as being ‘a country of moaners’. And to be fair, we don’t want to go all happy-clappy with bright white teeth, like some countries. Actually, in a survey on depression, it was found that most Americans lie when they say they are happy.
And many of them are on anti-depressants, so it doesn’t really count.
The happiest people (Danes and Finns) are actually quite morose. One politician when told this, said ‘If we are happy, I’d hate to think how everyone else is’.
But we need to be a little optimistic. Otherwise we may as well just give up and die.
There’s a wind blowing. Can you feel it?
After decades of nastiness in politics, there seems to be hope. There’s lots to change about the new government: building on wildlife land, renewing Trident, not tackling big issues and possibly drilling for oil.
But the reason why Burnham has suddenly taken off in popularity, is because it does look like he’s actually trying, and willing to listen if he gets things wrong. He’s not nasty, like the rest of them.
Over the pond, there is a growing concensus that the next Presidency will be somebody else (and not Vance). There’s something happening. As if all the heatwaves and wildfires and immigrants being blamed for bad domestic policies – like everyone has just had enough of bully politics.
The embers of the old world order are dying down, and being replaced by something new. So take heart and keep hoping. There’s still an inkling of hope that we can save our beautiful planet yet.
