Manifesto for Stubborn Optimists
A work in progress. What would you add?
This week, I thought I’d try something a little different (and honestly a little uncomfortable for me). I’m sharing a messy piece of unedited, handwritten hope. This community has grown so much over the past year, and I’m constantly encouraged by the good, meaningful work so many of you are doing in the world.
I’d love your input. What would you add? What keeps you stubbornly optimisic?
(If the handwritten version is hard to read for you, you can read a more eye-friendly version here)
A manifesto? Yes. BUT It’s also a conversation.
If hope is a group project, consider this your invitation.
What lines would you write in the margins? Care to add something?
VERY IMPORTANT THINGS! VERY IMPORTANT THINGS! VERY IMPORTANT THINGS!
STORY CONFERENCE! October 9-10 in Nashville, Tennessee!
Tickets are available now! This is always an unforgettable experience and I’m excited to be speaking again this year. Can’t wait to finally be all back together live and in person at the beautiful Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
REASONS TO REMAIN STUBBORNLY OPTIMISTIC!
My friends at GOODGOODGOOD are committed to regularly sharing real good news, not just feel good news. They even print a monthly print newspaper on actual paper! with ink! and hope!
A POEM
Lucille Clifton’s poem ‘won’t you celebrate with me’ is well worth your consideration. It’s not naive. It’s survival, joy, resistance and all wrapped into 13 lines. A reminder that sometimes, stubborn optimism is a quiet fist in the air.
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Thank you SO much reading and commenting, friends. In case the handwritten rough draft was hard on your eyes (so sorry) you can read a typed version here: http://montagueworkshop.com/stubborn
"Despair is not the only response available to us." Brad, I hope I am able to communicate in words how life-giving this statement is to me. I am the mom of two...my daughter, serving in the community she loves, recently lost her job with AmeriCorps due to cuts from DOGE. My son is an active-duty Marine overseas and my heart aches as I watch the news this morning. When I read the line you wrote, my heart wrapped around those words, felt the power contained inside, and found the healing balm that exists within them. I know these words in my mind...it's what I teach to others. But today my heart, on this day, I needed the reminder. I intend to carry these words with me, to use them, and to practice them. Your words help me to remain in the space of being hopeful, generous, and kind. Thank you!