“Look closely at the present you are constructing: it should look like the future you are dreaming.”
– Alice Walker
We’ve said it before and we’ll continue to repeat it over and over again, hope is an act of defiance. It is not passive optimism but a choice to believe in a future worth fighting for. To keep a tight hold on our optimism, we must first acknowledge our grief and fear, yet refuse to be consumed by them. We must continue to find strength in community, in the bonds that continually remind us we are not alone. When we stand together, hope is magnified.
A strong community is built on trust, mutual aid, and shared purpose. It thrives when people listen, uplift one another, and take collective action. Whether through
organizing, creating safe spaces, or simply checking in on neighbors, community is resistance against despair.
Continuing to do what we love is an act of rebellion. In a world that seeks to suppress joy and expression, creating art, dancing, writing, or simply gathering with loved ones becomes a powerful statement: we will not be broken. Passion fuels resilience. By engaging in the things that make us feel alive, we refuse to let darkness define us.
Hope is sustained through action. By nurturing joy, supporting one another, and believing in better days, we create the very future we long for—one step, one song, one act of kindness at a time.
Your neighbors,
Shaleen and Sam DeStefano