The Habits of Highly Cynical People

“Accommodating change and uncertainty requires a looser sense of self, an ability to respond in various ways. This is perhaps why qualified success unsettles those who are locked into fixed positions. The shift back to failure is a defensive measure. It is, in the end, a technique for turning away from the always imperfect, often important victories that life on earth provides — and for lumping things together regardless of scale. If corruption is evenly distributed and ubiquitous, then there is no adequate response — or, rather, no response is required.”

Solnit's writing, and this piece is no exception, has helped me to see the small victories and to look for them around me. Small victories and incremental progress isn't sexy, it isn't what large media organizations want to write about, but it's what brings about the larger victories and the change that is so desperately needed.