3 moments keeping me hopeful right now 🌱

If you read the news these days, the world can feel bleak, to put it mildly. Between mass layoffs, political chaos, and international conflict, many of my clients are telling me they feel overwhelmed and exhausted.

I try to be intentional about how much negativity I let into my life, so this week, instead of adding to it, I want to share three moments that recently gave me hope.

1️⃣ A handwritten congratulations card.

Each week, I carve out time to mail congratulations cards to clients who’ve landed new jobs or earned promotions.

A recent one was extra special, as the new role came with a significant raise over his previous job.

Importantly, it wasn’t about the money. It was about what the money represented for my client. For the first time in his life, he could start saving for his kids’ college educations, something he’d never been able to do before.

2️⃣ A proud uncle moment.

Recently, my middle-school-aged niece was recounting an exchange with a classmate. She didn’t know how the classmate identified in terms of gender, so she simply asked whether they were a girl or a boy, because she didn’t want to assume and risk hurting their feelings.

Another student laughed at my niece for asking. Yet she stood her ground and said you shouldn’t assume, because getting it wrong might hurt someone.

It turned out the classmate was a girl who’s often mistaken for a boy because of her short hair, and she told my niece she appreciated being asked.

I have hope for the next generation as I watch my niece lead with curiosity and kindness instead of assumptions and hate.

3️⃣ A lone “Dump Trump” sign.

While driving, I saw a single protester holding a “Dump Trump” sign. It made me smile.

Protesting is common in Santa Barbara, Calif., where I live (I pass a group of protestors every day on my walk to grab coffee), but this one stuck with me because it was just one person, alone, choosing to stand up against an administration that has spent its time in power attacking immigrants, gutting protections for LGBTQ+ people, and ruling through fear.

It reminded me of one of my favorite quotes, by Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

If you’ve been feeling alone in how you see things lately, please know that you’re not. This wasn’t about the sign. It was about one person willing to stand on the side of the road and speak up, and that was enough to remind me that we’re all in this together.

Whether you’re looking for your next opportunity, pursuing a leadership role, or simply trying to make it through these tumultuous times, I hope these three reminders give you a little motivation to keep going and stay positive.

Wishing you a hopeful week!

~ Kyle | CaffeinatedKyle.com​

P.S. If you’re searching for your next opportunity, I share four ways to remain hopeful in this Forbes article.