I love this perspective. I don't consider myself to be one or the other. I simply hope for and believe in change. I don't know how not to when I know it's within our power. It might be slow, it might be hard, but it's still possible.

I tend to ride the fence in regards to much of the New Age movement and similar philosophical cultural paths because it focuses so heavily on happiness above all. And not because I don't believe in choosing happiness - I do. I ride the fence, because I see value in acknowledging the bad along with the good. That's how we know what to fight for. And how we stay balanced and aware of true reality. That doesn't depress me. It sometimes makes me sad. But it motivates me, too, more than anything. A quest for constant happiness with nothing to challenge it is a path to docility, IMO. I'd rather choose to be fully aware.

I do like the way you put this into words. I feel similar myself. Change is always possible. Until it is not. So why bring down those who are trying while we still have time? It seems a waste. Maybe because it is.