We tend to think of the phrase “silver lining” in the context of clouds but I thought of it when I looked at this photo. Although, on closer inspection, this looks more like a “golden lining”. So, hey, that must be a whole level better, don’t you think?
Are you aware of any golden linings in the world just now? In the midst of all the news about the pandemic, a climate crisis, loss of biodiversity, pollution and increasing inequality?
Actually, I do. Maybe I’m a bit strange but in the midst of these challenges I see some glimmering, golden linings.
The first is the number of acts of kindness and care we can see all around us. During lockdowns we saw hundreds of thousands of people helping out their neighbours. In the health and social care sectors we’ve seen the most astonishing levels of dedication and courage. In the midst of hardship we see food banks delivered by volunteers, ordinary unpaid people who just want to help.
Secondly we’ve seen how quickly we can learn in a crisis. The collaboration amongst researchers and clinicians around the world produced new vaccines and new, better ways of caring for the sick.
Thirdly these crises have brought forward new solutions, new ideas and new policies in the domains of science, economics, agriculture and technology.
Sure, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the extent and severity of the problems we face, and to despair about greed, violence and divisiveness. But we need hope to move forward, as well as having awareness and understanding.
Our golden lining is the profoundly social and creative character of our species. If we align ourselves with these fundamentals, then maybe we will see the golden lining turn into a new dawn, a new era.
I hope so.
Heroes Not Zombies 
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