Realistic renewal encourages real-life optimism: Humanism column from Jennifer Hancock

It's spring! It's time for flowers to bloom, for our trees to shed leaves and grow new ones, and it's time for us to start thinking: Is it warm enough to go swimming yet?

Holidays around this time of year focus on the themes of renewal and hope and a commitment to be better people, for ourselves and for others.

There is an inherent optimism to spring. The year is still young. We still have time to make plans.

We haven't made it to summer when we all pretty much just give up and either go on vacation or wish we could.

I share in this optimism. How can I not?

My humanist philosophy encourages me to be optimistic. I believe I can overcome the challenges I face using ingenuity, perseverance, science, compassion and personal responsibility.

My optimism isn't boundless though.

I know there is a limit to what I might accomplish, but that doesn't stop me from trying.

The reason understanding my limits does not stop me is because I am a critical thinker. I know I have limits, but I don't necessarily know where they are. What I think might be a limit, might not limit me at all. Doubt opens up possibility.

Critical thinking helps me challenge the boundaries of what is possible further than faith ever could precisely because it grounds my hope in reality. It helps me to challenge my thinking and challenge my assumptions. It's paradoxical to realize that by accepting our limits, we can transcend them. We do this by working around our limits and finding other ways to accomplish our objectives.

Being realistic about your starting point doesn't mean giving up. It means building your strategy on a firm foundation. A foundation which provides confidence and optimism that what seems to be impossible really is possible.

One of my favorite quotes is: "Every dawn signs a new contract with existence." - Henri Frederic Amiel, moral philosopher.

It is my favorite quote on the subject of renewal because it reminds me; I don't have to be limited by my past. I can choose to change things, if I dare.

It's also OK if I fail because every day is a new day. I can try again as many times as I need. The only thing that can stop me is death.

There are no guarantees in life. We might attempt renewal and fail.

Being aware of our potential for failure doesn't have to lead to paralysis.

Being optimistic that change is possible is what makes us willing to dare and to take a chance. Even if you don't succeed, the attempt is worth it.

Why?

Because who knows, you may surprise yourself.

Jennifer Hancock, founder of Humanist Learning Systems, is the author of several books about Humanism. https://humanistlearning.com.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Realistic renewal encourages real-life optimism: Humanism column from Jennifer Hancock ."