We live in a climate of chaos, uncertainty, and violence. Despite our inability to control our environments, I believe that good people still exist. I prefer to think of strangers as friends I haven’t met yet, rather than looking at everyone as my enemy who wants to scam me, harm me, or take advantage of my kind nature.

It’s difficult to maintain one’s optimism during a time when fires, floods, volcanoes, oppressive heat, and high humidity are examples of drastic climate change. It’s difficult to maintain one’s optimism amid gun sales of AR-15 Baby rifles. Although we are faced with tremendous dark forces against the light of freedom and justice, I truly believe that in the end, right will win out over might.

Some people believe that our world is doomed, yet I am optimistic. Maybe I am naive and hopeful that things will change for the better. Every time people are faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, I remember my mother saying, “This, too, shall pass.” At that very moment, being bombarded by severe challenges, I thought it would be impossible to change for the better. But it did.

Then, I remembered reading the Torah. I realized the Torah recorded everything human and inhumane. The Torah, written 5,000 years ago, created a guideline, a code of ethics and morality for righteous living, despite people wanting to live their lives without fearing God. The Torah also told people to avoid adultery, stealing, covetousness, and other behaviors which brought disgrace on the perpetrators, their families, and their communities.

The problems we faced in ancient times, we have the same problems in modern times, but the costs and human failings show to everyone what greed and power cause when allowed to run rampant, if left unchecked.

I believe that with time, patience, and belief in God’s plan for us, even when we can’t fathom it, we need to believe that change will turn things around for the good. Wishing for change to happen is not enough.

We need to get involved and act before it is too late. It maybe already too late from our inaction. As a Jew, I need to (Tikkun Olam) repair the world. I’m not allowed to sit idly when our world is destroyed, either. If everyone added their brain power and talents to solve some of our most pressing problems, and protest against the evil in our country, our children and grandchildren can inherit a country that espouses justice and freedom and shows that it cares about its citizens, all of them. That’s why I am a dreamer but a practical optimist.

Optimism is seeing the bright side of every issue and working to make things right. You can either give in to “stinking” thinking or be optimistic. I talk to a lot of friends, neighbors, congregants of Temple Israel, and friends we meet. In discussions, they tell me tales of living in a scary political and economic climate, fearful and scared for themselves and families because of violence, retirement is outpacing their savings and Social Security doesn’t keep up with inflation. I believe our nation needs a new birth of a national consciousness that strives to turn lies into honesty and fair dealing, corruption into transparency and legal consequences enforced by the law and courts unbiased by the scale of justice.

I am optimistic about all these beliefs. I know that if our country is to live out its ideal of freedom and justice for everyone, things have to change. I look at conditions as they are and ask myself, why can’t all our lives be improved?

In my life, I follow two simple but powerful sayings that keep me optimistic: “Be the master of your will, and the slave of your conscience” and “if it’s to be , it’s up to me.”

Marty Glaser lives in Turners Falls.