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Today’s headlines are dominated by tumult and strife, both at home and abroad. From polarized political environments to famine and war, it can be hard to feel optimistic about our future.
At times like these, I like to recall the words of wisdom from one of my first supervisors, who advised me to focus on what I can control and try not to worry about the rest. Easier said than done, to be sure, but words to live by, nonetheless.
One thing I can control is how I balance my consumption of positive and negative information and choose to approach life as a result. I like to think of myself as a “grounded optimist”—I recognize the bad but see the possible solutions, and I’m stubborn enough to keep trying to make things better even when progress feels glacially slow.
In keeping with that philosophy, I’ve put together a list of five things that make me feel hopeful about the future and convinced that—with focus and hard work—each one of us really can make a positive difference.
First, a new study published in the journal JAMA found that a blood test accurately identified Alzheimer’s disease 90% of the time. This is a major step forward as scientists work to find simple and cost-effective tools for diagnosing and supporting patients and their loved ones as early in the disease’s progression as possible.
Second, Indiana was recently selected as the recipient of a more than $50 million federal implementation grant through the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. Heartland Bioworks, a consortium led by Applied Research Institute in partnership with companies such as Eli Lilly and Co. and Roche Diagnostics, will use the funds to support biotech manufacturing and innovation in the Indianapolis region. The award will boost Indiana’s already strong reputation as a life sciences heavyweight.
Third, I recently received a copy of the latest book by Mitch Daniels, former Indiana governor and most recently the former president of Purdue University. “Boiler Up: A University President in the Public Square” is a treasure trove of Daniels’ speeches, interviews and opinion pieces. It’s easy to feel inspired by Purdue’s accomplishments under Daniels’ leadership and the clear evidence that a leader who is strategic, data-driven and outcomes-oriented can help an institution take “giant leaps forward” in a relatively short period.
Fourth, Indiana continues its streak of knocking it out of the park when it comes to major sporting events. From the NBA All-Star Weekend to the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, our state’s community leaders repeatedly demonstrate what can be accomplished with a spirit of innovation, generous donors and heaps of volunteer time. And we’re far from done, with a docket full of events like the WWE’s WrestleMania in 2025 and the NCAA Men’s Final Four in 2026.
Finally, we’ve got a strong bench of emerging leaders ready and willing to make a difference in communities across Indiana. As a proud alum of the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series and equally proud past chair and board member of the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation, I can attest to the myriad benefits of such programs. They help raise awareness of community challenges and opportunities and connect like-minded individuals seeking to make the world a better place.
Despite global and domestic turmoil, there’s lots to feel hopeful about. What’s on your list?•
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Fiddian-Green is president and CEO of the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, whose mission is to advance the vitality of Indianapolis and the well-being of its people. Send comments
to ibjedit@ibj.com.
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