A Time for Optimism

One of my favorite modern novels is “A Time to Kill” by John Grisham, which was parlayed into a blockbuster movie featuring Samuel L. Jackson, Sandra Bullock and Matthew McConaughey. Both the book and movie are riddled with pain, joy, humor, sadness, anger and all-important twists. By the end of either, you’ve had multiple gut-wrenching emotions and understand the rationale behind Grisham’s title selection.

Speaking of a time of emotions, no one has been immune from the emotional rollercoaster associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. As of mid-December, the U.S. had topped 300,000 deaths, and there had been over 1.6 million deaths globally. In addition to the direct impact of SARS-CoV-2 on individual health, the secondary impacts related to mental health, food insecurity, health and economic disparities, and other social and physical impacts at a population level are being objectively observed. As a member of my leadership team recently put it, “You can feel the cumulative weight of this pandemic on everyone.” When coupled with what has no doubt been a brutally polarized political season in the U.S., people are simply worn out. 

As I reflect on “The Last Word,” I’d like to share with my fellows APS members and magazine readers that I am reminded of the power of optimism. I subscribe deeply to the concept of having a growth mindset, where the fundamental concept is that we are not defined by a fixed set of skills, abilities and beliefs, but instead are defined by constantly evolving ideas, beliefs, skills and wisdom. Acknowledging and embracing imperfections, and consciously replacing negative thoughts with positive thoughts, are cornerstones of a growth mindset. This means replacing judgment with acceptance and hate with compassion. 

Some of you may be thinking, “Hold on a minute—I’m a scientist, and it is my job to be critical and at times judgmental.” That is true when it comes to the peer review system, but does that need to carry over into every aspect of life? Is it possible we could all stand to benefit from shifting entrenched perspectives and being open to facing challenges differently? In a time where both political spectrums claim “fake news” at one another’s claims, is it possible the truth sometimes lies somewhere in between?

As I write this article, news is breaking that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine trials for COVID-19 are both reporting roughly 95% efficacy. There are reports of an emergency use authorization for both vaccines, perhaps within weeks, as well as reports of an aggressive distribution plan targeted toward our most vulnerable, high-risk populations. This news is welcomed and much needed given the rising COVID-19 numbers across the U.S. and world. 

My friends, no matter where you are in your journey, now is a time for compassion and kindness. Now is a time to heal. Now is a time for optimism. 

Jason R. Carter, PhD, is vice president for research, economic development and graduate education at Montana State University in Bozeman and a member of the APS Council.

This article was originally published in the January 2021 issue of The Physiologist Magazine.