Our Hidden Superpower

I’ve been giving a lot of thought about what it means to be a Radical Optimist, especially in light of me falling short around this lately. It’s true what they say: I often say ‘No’ when I should be saying ‘Yes’.

What is Radical Optimism, exactly? Is it gratitude? Is it always being positive? Is it more than that?

I’m beginning to look at it this way:

• Gratitude is being thankful for what we have.

• Optimism is the belief that change is possible.

• Radical Optimism is the belief we can be that change.

Radical Optimism is what is needed if we expect anything of substance to happen. The planting of the tree, the writing of the blog, the time it takes to teach your kids. This is the belief that change beyond ourselves is possible.

This belief - perhaps above all else - is our greatest superpower.