The leaders of last week’s anniversary event called it “a continuation, not a commemoration,”[1] stressing that the American dream of equality and God’s dream of justice for all are still works in progress.

One of you said to me recently, “TV news makes me sad.” I agree. The endless list of intractable problems foments despair. But there are research backed practices for nurturing the hope necessary for living faithfully in a troubled world.

According to the Science of Happiness Podcast, commemoration is key to the continuation of positive action. It's a two-step process. First write about something important that you hope for. The poet on the podcast wrote about climate change. He hopes that the ice can return and for the native flora and fauna to thrive again. He hopes for protected places and for nations and people to make needed change.”

[1]

https://www.npr.org/2023/08/26/1196190910/march-on-washington-mlk-dream-speech-anniversary