Novisali

Hope in the In-Between

Hope in the In-Between: Lessons from the Sumerians to the Future

Hope is not a passive wish—it is an active force. It serves as the foundation of every great civilization, every revolutionary idea, and every moment of personal transformation. From the Sumerians, who thrived in the face of environmental and political instability, to modern psychology’s understanding of hope as a tool for well-being, hope has always been the driving force that moves humanity forward.

Today, as we navigate a world shaped by artificial intelligence, global uncertainty, and social shifts, we find ourselves in an in-between space—a period of transition where old structures are being redefined, and the future remains uncertain.

How do we cultivate hope in these moments? How do we transform uncertainty from a barrier into an opportunity?

The Sumerians: Hope as Innovation and Collective Action

Over 5,000 years ago, the Sumerians built one of the world’s first great civilizations in Mesopotamia, despite unpredictable floods, political conflict, and an unforgiving climate. Without guarantees of stability, they chose to build a society that thrived through ingenuity, collaboration, and resilience.

Their contributions to human history were profound. They developed cuneiform, one of the earliest forms of writing, allowing them to record knowledge, laws, and literature (Kramer, 1963). This written language transformed their ability to govern, plan for the future, and preserve their culture. They engineered advanced irrigation systems that enabled them to control water flow and sustain agriculture even in times of drought (Postgate, 1992). Their massive ziggurats stood as architectural symbols of purpose, faith, and the belief that the physical and the divine were connected.

The resilience of the Sumerians reflects what modern psychology tells us about hope: it is strongest when paired with meaningful goals, strong communities, and a sense of agency (Snyder, 2002). They did not wait for security to come to them; they built it, step by step, through systems that ensured their survival and growth. Their story reminds us that hope is not something we find—it is something we create through our actions.

The Science of Hope: How We Shape Our Future

Hope is more than an abstract concept; it is a psychological process that has tangible effects on well-being, decision-making, and resilience. Individuals today actively seek purpose and fulfillment, integrating practices like mindfulness, gratitude, and values-based living into their daily routines (APA, 2024).

Research shows that hope plays a measurable role in mental health. Those who engage in goal-setting, positive visualization, and optimism-building techniques tend to experience greater life satisfaction and emotional resilience. Hope is not about ignoring reality—it is about acknowledging challenges and believing in the ability to move through them. (APA, 2024).

Technology now plays a role in how people cultivate hope. AI-driven mental health tools, therapy and coaching apps, and digital support systems help individuals manage stress and anxiety. However, experts caution that over-reliance on technology can erode genuine human connection. Community, relationships, and shared experiences remain central to lasting well-being (Pavlopoulos, 2024).

The takeaway is clear:

Hope is not something that happens to us; it is something we cultivate through action, perspective, and connection.

Hope in the Future of Work: AI as a Catalyst for Purpose

As AI reshapes industries, the fear of automation replacing jobs often dominates the conversation. However, AI also presents a more hopeful vision—one where it enhances human agency, creativity, and fulfillment rather than diminishing it.

AI has the potential to provide people with greater autonomy, decision-making power, and skill development opportunities. By automating repetitive tasks, AI enables workers to focus on more meaningful and creative work, fostering a sense of purpose. It also opens doors for continuous learning and career evolution, ensuring that individuals can adapt, grow, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Just as the Sumerians harnessed innovation to shape their destiny, today’s workforce has the opportunity to use AI not as a replacement for human ingenuity but as a tool to amplify it. The future of work is not about losing purpose—it is about redefining it (McKinsey, 2025).

Hope in Leadership: Lessons from Thought Leaders

Hope is not just a personal tool—it is also a leadership skill. Leaders who foster hope within their organizations create cultures of resilience, adaptability, and innovation.

Hope is a learned skill that must be actively practiced (Kets de Vries INSEAD, 2024). Key strategies for cultivating hope include:

  • Give yourself permission to hope. Believing in a better future is the first step toward creating it.
  • Clarify your hopes and fears. Writing them down transforms vague thoughts into concrete ideas.
  • Set meaningful, achievable goals. Progress is made step by step, just as the Sumerians built their cities brick by brick.
  • Adapt when needed. Rigid plans often fail, but flexible ones allow for growth and reinvention.
  • Learn from the journeys of others. History is filled with stories of resilience that can guide us forward.
  • Celebrate small victories. Every step toward progress, no matter how small, fuels momentum for greater change.

Purpose is not something people find—it is something they actively build.

Purpose is constructed through intentional choices, experimentation, and continuous alignment with one’s values. Rather than waiting for a single revelation, individuals must engage in purposeful work, refining and shaping their sense of meaning over time. Purpose is forged through consistent effort, by setting and pursuing goals that align with deeply held beliefs and passions. Those who cultivate purpose actively participate in their own growth, learning from both successes and failures to refine their path. It is through this process that they create a meaningful and fulfilling life, rather than passively waiting for purpose to emerge. (Grumet, 2023).

Hopepunk: The Radical Rebellion of Optimism

In a world often defined by cynicism, the hopepunk movement offers an alternative. Coined by Alexandra Rowland, hopepunk is the philosophy that choosing optimism, resilience, and kindness is a rebellious act (Rowland, 2017). It challenges the idea that realism must be pessimistic, instead arguing that believing in and fighting for a better future is a radical choice.

Hopepunk is not about naïve optimism. It acknowledges challenges but insists that change is possible. In leadership, business, and governance, this mindset shifts organizations from fear-based decision-making to future-focused transformation (Novisali, 2024).

Hope in Creativity: AI as a Partner in Artistic Expression 

In a world where technology often feels impersonal, AI is offering new avenues for human creativity, connection, and storytelling. Rather than replacing artists, AI is becoming a collaborative tool, helping creators push beyond traditional boundaries and craft immersive experiences.

Refik Anadol, Digital Artist

AI is expanding access to artistic expression, making it more interactive and inclusive. With AI-driven tools, artists can weave data, visuals, and narratives into evolving, participatory experiences that engage audiences in new ways. (McKinsey, 2025)

This fusion of art and technology represents hope in action—a reminder that innovation does not erase human creativity but enhances and reimagines it. Just as the Sumerians used early forms of writing to preserve culture and communicate ideas, today’s artists are using AI to tell new stories, reach broader audiences, and create meaning in unexpected ways.

The future of art, like hope itself, is about expansion, adaptation, and the willingness to embrace the unknown.

The Potential of the In-Between: Hope in Art and Life

Art has long been a conduit for hope, and the exhibition The Potential of the In-Between / Mellanrummens Möjligheter by Novisali (Liselotte Engstam) explores how transition and uncertainty can be spaces of transformation. Hosted at Bålsta Library from March 1–29, 2025, the exhibition highlights the power of change and reinvention.

Screenshot

The pieces in the exhibition, printed on recyclable aluminum and natural silk, embody the philosophy that hope is something tangible—it is something we build and shape through our interactions with the world. The in-between, the spaces of uncertainty, are where the most profound changes occur.

For those seeking to explore the in-between, to witness the transformative power of hope in action, “Possibilities of the In-Between” invites you to step into the light of possibility.

The exhibition,  will be introduced during the Vernissage on March 1, from 13:00 to 15:00, and can also be visited during the library’s opening hours. Visitors will additionally have the opportunity to participate in guided reflections held on selected days starting at 13:00:

  • March 8 – Guiding Lights & Diserna (on International Women’s Day)
  • March 22 – Space & Water Mirror (on International Water Day)
  • March 29 – Future Perspective

Bridging the Past and Future

From the Sumerians’ innovations to modern psychology’s understanding of hope, the message remains the same: hope is an active force. It is not about waiting for change but about creating it.

Hope is built through the choices we make, the stories we tell, and the actions we take. It exists in the in-between spaces, where uncertainty is not a void but a field of possibilities.

In moments of transition, the question is not whether hope exists—it is whether we will choose to create it.

Hope is not something we wait for. It is something we build. How will you shape yours?

References

Related earlier blogposts

Hopepunk: A Vision of Radical Hope for the Future
Mellanrummens Möjligheter/ Potential of the In-Between
Exhibition March 2025

About Novisali 

Novisali, (alias Liselotte Engstam), is besides her roles as professional board member and advisor, a multi-media artist, with a curious, explorative mind and an ambition to learn and extend art experiences to current and new audiences using both traditional and new digital mediums. More information and exhibitions can be found via Novisali.com

This blog post was is also shared at the blog of www.liselotteengstam.com, with the artist name Novisali.

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