Hope is an Active Verb
Like many of you, I seem to be schlepping through these days, feeling the heaviness of the ugly behavior taking place in our world, not sure where to put those feelings, what to do with them. If there’s a feeling I hate more than any other, it’s impotence – as in ‘the state of being weak or unable to accomplish something.’ (Interesting how online dictionaries automatically serve up a definition of impotence as related to men’s erections. Hmmmmm.)
The inability to move the way I want or have agency in a situation makes me cranky like nothing else can. Even my body is echoing my state of mind these days. I’m afflicted with a mysterious condition that keeps my entire body stiff and sore, unable to make certain moves without pain. Even getting in and out of my sidecar sets my tendons to throbbing. It’s akin to what I’ve heard others describe as feelings associated with fibromyalgia, a condition that the medical establishment still hasn’t figured out and doesn’t seem to take very seriously (like so many conditions that mainly afflict women. Whereas impotence in men? Let’s pour lots of resources into that one!).
What’s keeping me going? A) Curating my news intake. A Sidecar regular has introduced me to Ground News. Let me quote directly how they describe themselves: “Ground News was created to offer clarity in an increasingly chaotic media landscape. Our vision is positive coexistence where cooperative, civil debate is the norm, media is accountable, and critical thought is the baseline of our information consumption. We’re on a mission to well inform the world by empowering readers to think freely about the issues of our times.” So refreshing to have one source for news that tries to mitigate bias. There’s hope! B) Moving. I try to get out for at least one decent walk per day. Walking isn’t painful (unless there are stairs or uphill trails involved). Walking is also a way for me to clear my head, appreciate my mobility, and observe the world around me (Aix en Provence: plenty of beauty to observe around here!), which goes on despite the ugly things going on elsewhere. Hope in action! C) My daily Sidecar adventures, which bring me into contact with leaders who inspire me and give me hope on the daily. Because despite what’s going in the world, despite their private struggles with that and other trials that life serves up, they continue to do what effective leaders do: they carry on, taking on the challenges inherent in school leadership, celebrating achievements and moments worth celebrating, being present for those who are struggling or simply need to be heard and acknowledged. Continuing on with the daily warp and woof of leadership and life. And by doing so, they activate hope. (And they deserve a Summit experience to reset their nervous systems. See below.)
“Hope is a verb with its sleeves rolled up.” I love this quote by environmentalist David Orr. In fact, I live by it these days. It’s the antidote to impotence. By showing agency where I can, even if it is simply to appreciate the many gifts and privileges I’m privy to in my daily life, or when I know that a small action I’ve taken has made a positive difference, I’m defying impotence. In those coaching moments when something shifts for my client, when I see that spark of awareness that she can, indeed, try out a new belief or behavior – that’s defying impotence. In my Sidecar Rallies, when a thorny problem shared by a leader is met with validation, new perspectives and potential ways to address it by fellow rally-ers - that’s defying impotence. And during Sidecar Summits, when I witness summiteers opening up, sharing their experiences and ideas, finding camaraderie with fellow summiteers through deep and unstructured conversation, immersing themselves in the spaciousness that allows for deep reflection, and contributing toward collectively-sourced, practical ideas for how to continue to make a positive difference in their schools and the school landscape – that’s defying impotence.
Three other things keeping me going:
1) Meds. A new medication I’m on that promises relief from this pain in exchange for a few annoying side effects like dry mouth and slurred speech. The effects should kick in as early as next week. Hope in a pill!
2) Spring. It’s official! Today (March 20) is the day! It’s so much easier to be hopeful in Spring.
3) Upcoming Sidecar Summits. I’m heading to Ghana next week for a Summit focused on Release. Lauren Jones is my co-facilitator. 16 brave summiteers from schools in 4 African countries will join us. See above as to how Summits keep me hopeful.
And on that note ... I’m pleased to announce the Fall 2026 lineup of Sidecar Summits.
Abundance as Resistance: A Sidecar Summit in Canada (October 15-18, 2026, Blue Mountains, Ontario) – This one is aimed at leaders in schools in North and South America. We chose beautiful Ontario for its major international airport (Toronto) and its bountiful nature offerings. Our theme is all about activating hope, through a focus on abundance as an antidote to scarcity (a mindset that leads to the ugly behaviors on display today). Co-facilitators for this one: Dr. Ann Marie Luce and Dr. Lindsay Prendergast, early Summit pioneers. A good one for first time summiteers as well as returning ones.
Vital Leadership: A Sidecar Summit in Portugal (November 20-24, 2026, Casevel, Portugal) – We return to Portugal’s magical Quinta Carvalhas to continue exploring the edges of school leadership, this time focusing on what’s most vital: essential, energizing, and life-affirming. Co-facilitators Dr. Lakshmi Karan and Kirsten Pontius will join me and the brave summiteers who are ready to push the envelope on what it means to lead schools into the future. Great for returning summiteers, though equally great for courageous first-timers. Hope is baked into the atmosphere at Quinta Carvalhas.
Check out the Sidecar Counsel website for more information on these Summits, and to register your interest.
And with that I’m going to leave you with a beautiful quote on hope, from one who knows how to activate it, Michelle Obama: “You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.”
Yours in defying impotence through actively hoping,
Bridget
