Reclaiming Possibility in Perplexing Times
Because My Nervous System—and Research—Show It Works
I’ve long done battle with a voice in my head that says, “People will think you’re naïve.”
This tends to happen when I think, write, or talk about something related to hope, wonder, or possibility.
The world, after all, looks like a giant shitshow at the moment, and that’s not, as politicians and publicists might say, just optics.
It’s life in a polycrisis: a time in which many crises are unfolding at the same time, across economics, society, politics, healthcare, technology, and the environment.
These are massively complex issues with significant consequences. They feel threatening to our health and well-being—to our ability to care for ourselves and the people we love.
They also feel, disturbingly, almost completely out of our control.
The Natural Reactions I Want to Defend Against
What happens in times like these—when humans feel both at risk and relatively powerless to do something about it—is that our focus tends to narrow.
We think short-term, not long-term. We concentrate more on survival, less on things like kindness, compassion, and collaboration. And we tighten our circles, becoming mistrusting of others.
It’s human nature. It also fuels polarization, authoritarianism, and other responses that make problem-solving ever more difficult.
But this is not all there is to human nature.
The Qualities I Want to Cultivate
There is also hope, wonder, possibility, kindness, compassion, collaboration, and more.
And far from naïve, these qualities are essential counterpoints to a narrowing of focus and help us navigate the extraordinary challenges of our times.
That is why every time I see someone criticized for saying or writing something positive or uplifting, my heart sinks.
We don’t need more reminders of the challenges we face. They already weigh us down.
But we desperately need more reminders of what can lift us and others up.
I don’t mean a manufactured optimism, a dreamy fantasyland, or wishful thinking that everything will work out in the end.
I mean a mindset suited to this moment.
A Mindset for This Moment
After many circuitous adventures, reconnecting with wonder has helped me get there. Remember that childhood feeling of the world being an amazing place? Being something so much bigger than us? Being full of possibilities?
Many of us learn, to our detriment, to step away from natural experiences of wonder, even though the world still is an amazing place that is much bigger than us and full of possibility.
But reconnecting with wonder lends spaciousness when we feel time-starved, expansiveness when we feel constrained by challenges, and a reminder that there is more to life than the troubles of this moment.
All of this not only eases my nervous system; it fuels my staying power.
And, importantly, this is not just my experience.
More Than a Feel-Good Strategy
A growing body of research is revealing that hope, optimism, and positive reframing are not just feel-good strategies. They are powerful tools that sharpen our thinking, boost resilience, and enhance both well-being and problem-solving capacity.
For example, a 2024 study from Australia found that when people imagined a positive future related to climate change and economic equality, it led to greater support for collective action in both cases.
So, perhaps for the many of us who care deeply about creating a healthier, kinder world, it’s a good time to stop worrying about whether we come off as naïve when we focus on possibility and know the true limitation occurs when we don’t.
I offer Lead with Wonder talks and workshops designed to catalyze inspiration and impact in these complex times. They blend storytelling and insights from more than 20 years of studying how people rise to great challenges. If you’d like to learn more, I’d love to chat.