So, What Gives Me Hope for a Better World?

I named this publication ‘World-Weary’ for a reason.

What I do is exhausting. I dig through news articles; I listen to commentary from politicians and reactionaries and activists. I get increasingly discouraged as I write down dog whistles and discuss rampant human rights abuses.

The anti-LGBTQ+ hysteria around the globe, racism in North America, the Mahsa Amini protests in Iran- these are a small handful of examples. It’s draining to be drenched and buried in human suffering, crimes and tragedy all day.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m deeply passionate about my activism. If I’m writing about an issue, it’s because I care about it. I don’t waste my limited spoons on things I don’t want to fight for.

But, like you, I am only human.

When I started this, I promised I would try to include a ray of hope from time to time. I think it’s essential to remember what it is that we’re fighting for…a better future. I want to celebrate the good, the joyful, and the triumphant.

In taking time to remember that, I remind myself why I do what I do, and why it’s so important. I give myself hope for what the world could be if we succeed.

So, let’s talk about some good news! I think taking time every couple of weeks to discuss a happy news story will go a long way towards easing the pressure on all of us.

If you have more good news, why not share it in the comment section? It can be any sort of news from anywhere in the world, as long as it’s happy. Let’s give each other a little pick-me-up this week.

Eli Lilly Slashes Insulin Costs!

This one comes out of the United States, and it is fantastic!

In the States, healthcare is privatized and mostly tied to employment, rather than being covered by taxes and provided by the government. As such, people who live with chronic illnesses can find themselves facing high costs for simply seeking the medical care they need to live.

With very few caps on pricing, medical debt in the States is rising year after year and it shows no signs of slowing down.

For people living with diabetes, the lack of price capping was especially painful. There have been cases of people dying as a result of poverty, attempting to ration their life-saving medication because they’re struggling to afford as many doses as they need.

So, the recent news coming out of the States is incredibly hopeful.

As the first commercial producer of insulin, Eli Lilly is a big name in the pharmaceutical world. While they did not invent the drug, they were the first to bring it to market and make it available in large scale to people living with diabetes.

Bringing the price of this life-saving drug down to a more manageable level may not seem like a big deal, but to those of us who have loved ones living with this illness, it is a weight off of our shoulders- to say nothing of the people living with it themselves!

This decision will save lives. And while there is a lot more ground to cover in pushing for better access to healthcare in the country and lifting people out of poverty, this is still a start. It is something to be thankful for.

It’s easy to get bogged down in feeling like nothing is ever enough, and like the fight will never be over. But that doesn’t mean that every victory isn’t worth celebrating. Every step, if it’s in the right direction, is a success.

So, make yourself a cup of coffee, tea, maybe hot cocoa if you’re feeling it. Get a comfy blanket and some cozy slippers. Take time today to reflect on something good and give yourself permission to smile.

Not everything is doom and gloom. Sometimes we win, and that’s what gives me hope.