Hope Springs Eternal

Spring has sprung in Austin. The sun is shining, and the bluebonnets will bloom any day now. This is the traditional season of hope, rebirth, and new beginnings. However, I am struggling to remain optimistic in the face of so much divisiveness, corruption, unrest, and ugliness. The daily onslaught of horrific news leaves my stomach twisted in knots.

So, I am looking for inspiration. In 1733, Alexander Pope penned his “Essay on Man,” which contains the line, “Hope springs eternal in the human breast.” Of course, he wasn’t talking about spring the season, but the entire epistle delivers some perspective. It starts with the line, “Awake, my St. John! leave all meaner things, to low ambition, and the pride of kings.”

Pope is calling on his friend, Henry St. John, to set aside petty concerns and focus on higher, more meaningful truths about life. It’s a classic example of the belief in living a virtuous, reflective life that seeks understanding and purpose, not just money and power.

It is our nature to keep hoping for better things, even when times are tough and the trajectory is even worse. Things will likely get way worse before they get better, but we still have to believe that things can improve. We must continue to try, support one another, and fight for our values, even when it’s hard. Don’t get lost in the details of every outrageous transgression. Do not give up hope, and do not check out. Stay focused on the higher truths of our history, our democracy, our values, and our national character.

It is springtime in America. No matter how fractured or uncertain the future may seem, there’s a wellspring within the American spirit that keeps bubbling up with faith in progress, justice, and the enduring possibility of a better tomorrow. And as long as that optimism remains, there’s a reason to keep going. Hope springs eternal!