In times of uncertainty, courage and strength are needed. Just like our brave idols of the past and heroes portrayed in films, we gravitate to the narratives of extraordinary strength, resolve, and courageous action for inspiration in our own time of need. Captivated by their superhuman powers, we seek to discover our unique abilities in a socially-competitive world. We do so because when we feel threatened, we face the prospects of our weakness. 

As society would have us believe, to be weak is to be a failure—or worse, inferior. We fear the notion of being deemed inadequate or unworthy. Nothing cuts deeper at our core identity and purpose in life than to be perceived as less than what we are: fully human. Attempts to claim an edge, superiority, or power over others are part of the competitive impulses we feel in our most egocentric and binary states. In this worldview, more is more, less is less, and there are only winners and losers. While we may presume this to be true from our personal experiences, this is not how the world functions at its best.

In 1887, English Parliamentarian and historian Lord John Dalberg-Acton famously wrote, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”[1] Lord Acton was most concerned with how history was being uncritically evaluated for modern implications. To critically examine the past with a modern ethic—including our cherished heroes and stories of origin—is how we grow and contribute to building a better world. In other words, our ethical consciousness must take precedence over our allegiance to the past. According to Acton, the failure to reconcile the past with present realities “is the point at which…the end learns to justify the means.”[2]

So long as societies embrace power dynamics that reward the strongest, successful, or most influential among us, abuse and social oppression will continue. The prevailing belief system of strength and aggression over the peaceable will always fail to create a more just and hopeful world. In this system, the end will justify the means at any cost.

Alternatively, hope looks to the future and envisions communities and societies of peace and prosperity for all. Practitioners of hope pragmatically implement ethical values that will cultivate a more desirable end. Values like holism, openness, progress, and equity are the beliefs and practices that create whole, compassionate, and conscientious people. As Lord Acton instructed, we should “put conscience above both system and success.”[3]

In these times of uncertainty, true strength is needed. It’s found in our collective belonging and goodness. Both the influential and the humble are meant to share a place at the table fit for all of us. In a hopeful world, the table is a shared space of equals where authority is not wielded or power assumed. Wisdom is discovered when knowledge, experience, and collective discernment are shared, and the corruption of power is diminished. To achieve this, we must learn to exercise our muscles of compassion—the act of listening, learning, and empathetically seeking to understand the stories of others to restore their personal agency, belonging, and contribution to the greater whole.

Said another way, compassion is the manifestation of humanity’s limitless strength.

Hope and Justice For All

If you’re like me, you’re looking for compassionate hearts and rational minds in our chaotic world. Hope, change, and justice for everyone, everywhere require thoughtfulness, dedication, and courage to values-based living and leading. I believe that for myself—and for you. Will you join me in this consequential cause? You won’t find ads, paywalls, partner links, or random emails from me. I’m not for sale, and neither are you. However, this work does require support, and with your help, can remain accessible and uninterrupted. Please consider making a donation to keep weekly insights for hope and change available to you and others. Thank you!

Notes & Sources:

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dalberg-Acton,_1st_Baron_Acton 

[2-3] https://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/acton-acton-creighton-correspondence#a_3436335