Excerpt:
Hope is essential for a thriving society, yet research indicates only half of Americans are hopeful for the nation’s future. It’s a situation that needs to change for the good of the country and its citizens.
The best way to do so may be to cultivate a shared patriotic spirit that rises above divisive politics.
That’s the viewpoint of Clay Routledge, vice president of research at the Human Flourishing Lab at the Archbridge Institute in Washington, D.C.
“The United States emphasizes individual liberty, which has helped it become a flourishing country where people are free to pursue their distinct talents and interests and reach their full potential. However, it is also essential for Americans to balance their individualism with a shared, positive national identity,” Mr. Routledge recently wrote.
The institute’s research underscores a particularly positive feature of patriotism: Its relationship with hope for the nation’s future. Here’s what a summary of the research said, in part:
“Hope is a crucial driver of individual and societal flourishing. Hopeful individuals are optimistic about the future and strongly believe in their ability to improve their lives.
This mindset makes them more resilient when confronted with challenges and more adaptable in their strategies for overcoming obstacles and achieving objectives. Consequently, hopeful individuals tend to excel in life, whether pursuing educational, professional or athletic endeavors.”
The question then is this: What does patriotism — or national pride — have to do with hope?
Read the full article at The Norfolk Daily News.
Read Patriotism and Hope for America’s Future here.
The Norfolk Daily News
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