Hope

By Nick Cave extracted from The Marginalian (themarginalian.org) by Maria Popova 10/23/22

I have no time for cynicism. It feels hugely misplaced at this time. […] I

remain cautiously optimistic. I think if we can move beyond the anxiety and

dread and despair, there is a promise of something shifting not just culturally,

but spiritually, too. I feel that potential in the air, or maybe a sort of

subterranean undertow of concern and connectivity, a radical and collective

move towards a more empathetic and enhanced existence… It does seem

possible — even against the criminal incompetence of our governments, the

planet’s ailing health, the divisiveness that exists everywhere, the shocking lack

of mercy and forgiveness, where so many people seem to harbour such an

irreparable animosity towards the world and each other — even still, I have

hope. Collective grief can bring extraordinary change, a kind of conversion of

the spirit, and with it a great opportunity. We can seize this opportunity, or we

can squander it and let it pass us by. I hope it is the former. I feel there is a

readiness for that, despite what we are led to believe. (End quote)