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!
Becky. Thank you so much for sharing this. I can only imagine the ache you're carrying now (both with your daughter's uncertain path and your son serving far from home in such a complicated, hurting world) You encourage me greatly again with your kind words and heart. Thank you for the work YOU do, the love you give, and for choosing again and again and again to remain generous and kind even when it is made harder. That, to me, is the bravest kind of optimism. with you. for you.
This means so much, Relyn. Thank you. Those lines about kids, elders, second changes, small good things... those are my anchors too. Grateful they're yours as well. NOT ALONE, my friend! Thank you for being part of this little band of Stubborn Optimists. Yes, and yes, and YES again.
I love this so much! If I were to doodle in the margins, on the first page I might add something about having autonomy and choosing to take the things that are broken and use them; learn from them and convert them to something positive. We aren't just bystanders observing the hurt and the broken and doing our own thing in response. We embrace those things and redirect them to the good.
What a beautiful way to put it, Olivia. Thank you. That idea of not just being bystanders really sparks a lot for me. Reclaiming what's broken by not avoiding it but choosing to learn from it and use it and *transform* it ... that's not just optimism, it's a form of compassionate alchemy. If you ever do doodle in the margins, keep sharing!!!! I love it. This manifesto is meant for scribbles like this! Thank you!!
I appreciate the rough draft idea! Although it is perfect as is, Brad. As a writer, though, I can't resist offering up edits when asked. So I'd humbly suggest a small edit in the last stanza that we should never forget when we're feeling alone. (And I know where you were coming from - because I'm an introvert, too.) Maybe something like what I added inside the brackets:
We are the stubborn optimists.
Carriers of light, even when it flickers.
[We have the power to fuel each other. Together, we are too bright to ever dim.]
Believers and builders. Dreamers and doers.
Here. (and not going anywhere).
*Feel free to take the idea and run with it with different words.*
YEs! This is exaclty why I wanted to share it. Hope gets brighter with more people brining their spark and that's just what you've done here. Wonderful addition. I love the thought of including a reminder that we don't have to carry any of this alone. We have the power to fuel each other. That's beautiful and true. Thank you, dear fellow stubborn optimist!
Thank you for starting our day this way. For our own well being, for that of our families, and for that of our global community it reaches to the very core of our stubborn need for optimism, you’ve said it exquisitely.
This bit resonates so much: "We keep our hearts open not just to what's broken but to what's quietly being mended." The whole thing is magically true, but that bit...oh, yeah. That bit really really speaks to me.
Those lines are your headline and/or should be embroidered on samplers. I have always believed choosing joy when you stand in the dark is the ultimate subversive act. Your words are joining my mantra for meditation. Thank you!
Meredith, thank you so much for this. It means a ton to know that you make time to read these notes and that they land with you. All I ever hope for. So encouraged by your kind words and presence here. Thank you!
I'm so happy to know this resonated with you. It's something I've had to constantly remind myself lately! The loudest things aren't the truest things. So grateful you're here.
Please add artists, dancers, musicians, mad preachers to your manifesto-I love that people are finding their joy-that was so evident this weekend of No Kings.....
How do you do it? How do you find just the right words and put them together so meaningfully? With tears rolling down my face, I thank you most sincerely for the thought you've put into this document. I've printed the manifesto and will read it each day, committing myself to quietly mend, to be informed and inspired, to be a tiny light in a dark world, to always return to hope with positive action, to firmly believe with every fiber of my being that an ordinary life can effect extraordinary results and to know beyond a shadow of doubt that goodness and love still work. I am very much a stubborn optimist who delights in laying brick upon brick with others of like mind. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
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!
Becky. Thank you so much for sharing this. I can only imagine the ache you're carrying now (both with your daughter's uncertain path and your son serving far from home in such a complicated, hurting world) You encourage me greatly again with your kind words and heart. Thank you for the work YOU do, the love you give, and for choosing again and again and again to remain generous and kind even when it is made harder. That, to me, is the bravest kind of optimism. with you. for you.
Oh. Oh my. It's like you wrote my heart, better than I could ever say it. And, not just mine, you wrote for all of us Stubborn Optimists. Thank you.
"We believe in children.
We believe in old people.
We believe in second chances and the power of small good things."
Yes, And yes. And YES! again.
This means so much, Relyn. Thank you. Those lines about kids, elders, second changes, small good things... those are my anchors too. Grateful they're yours as well. NOT ALONE, my friend! Thank you for being part of this little band of Stubborn Optimists. Yes, and yes, and YES again.
Totally resonates with me!🥰
This is so wholesome! I finally discovered that as an incurable optimist I am not alone. I belong to a growing tribe! Hurray!!
YES!! You are definitely not alone, friend! So glad you're here and you're you.
I love this so much! If I were to doodle in the margins, on the first page I might add something about having autonomy and choosing to take the things that are broken and use them; learn from them and convert them to something positive. We aren't just bystanders observing the hurt and the broken and doing our own thing in response. We embrace those things and redirect them to the good.
What a beautiful way to put it, Olivia. Thank you. That idea of not just being bystanders really sparks a lot for me. Reclaiming what's broken by not avoiding it but choosing to learn from it and use it and *transform* it ... that's not just optimism, it's a form of compassionate alchemy. If you ever do doodle in the margins, keep sharing!!!! I love it. This manifesto is meant for scribbles like this! Thank you!!
I appreciate the rough draft idea! Although it is perfect as is, Brad. As a writer, though, I can't resist offering up edits when asked. So I'd humbly suggest a small edit in the last stanza that we should never forget when we're feeling alone. (And I know where you were coming from - because I'm an introvert, too.) Maybe something like what I added inside the brackets:
We are the stubborn optimists.
Carriers of light, even when it flickers.
[We have the power to fuel each other. Together, we are too bright to ever dim.]
Believers and builders. Dreamers and doers.
Here. (and not going anywhere).
*Feel free to take the idea and run with it with different words.*
YEs! This is exaclty why I wanted to share it. Hope gets brighter with more people brining their spark and that's just what you've done here. Wonderful addition. I love the thought of including a reminder that we don't have to carry any of this alone. We have the power to fuel each other. That's beautiful and true. Thank you, dear fellow stubborn optimist!
Yes! Already implied by the WHOLE thing! And you sharing it. Thank you for writing it down. I think I am going to read it every morning now!
Brad, thank you yet again for putting into words what I cannot say, but exactly what I mean. You are a light in an ever-darkening world.
Thank you for starting our day this way. For our own well being, for that of our families, and for that of our global community it reaches to the very core of our stubborn need for optimism, you’ve said it exquisitely.
This means more than I can say, Andrea. Thank you.
The spirit of this piece reminds me of Anthem by Leonard Cohen
"Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in"
This bit resonates so much: "We keep our hearts open not just to what's broken but to what's quietly being mended." The whole thing is magically true, but that bit...oh, yeah. That bit really really speaks to me.
Joy is rebellious.
Wonder is defiance.
Those lines are your headline and/or should be embroidered on samplers. I have always believed choosing joy when you stand in the dark is the ultimate subversive act. Your words are joining my mantra for meditation. Thank you!
Also may I suggest 2 small changes:
We KNOW art matters.
We GROW gardens in compost.
(Know and grow replace believe.) actions speak louder than words 🙂
Love this!! I’ll definitely think of something to add. Thank you for the invitation.
I just love everything you write. I always make time to really READ your emails and I am ALWAYS (seriously always) inspired as a result. Thank you.
Meredith, thank you so much for this. It means a ton to know that you make time to read these notes and that they land with you. All I ever hope for. So encouraged by your kind words and presence here. Thank you!
The world is sometimes louder than it is accurate - whew! Thank you.
I'm so happy to know this resonated with you. It's something I've had to constantly remind myself lately! The loudest things aren't the truest things. So grateful you're here.
Please add artists, dancers, musicians, mad preachers to your manifesto-I love that people are finding their joy-that was so evident this weekend of No Kings.....
A perfect list of joyful champions of stubborn optimism to include!
Dear Brad:
How do you do it? How do you find just the right words and put them together so meaningfully? With tears rolling down my face, I thank you most sincerely for the thought you've put into this document. I've printed the manifesto and will read it each day, committing myself to quietly mend, to be informed and inspired, to be a tiny light in a dark world, to always return to hope with positive action, to firmly believe with every fiber of my being that an ordinary life can effect extraordinary results and to know beyond a shadow of doubt that goodness and love still work. I am very much a stubborn optimist who delights in laying brick upon brick with others of like mind. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.