I have been accused of being an unrealistic optimist. It’s true, for myself.

For my desires, for my actions and my results, I strive to do my best and then, as I said in my last column, I know that I am in the hands of God.

I am not so confident, however, about the direction of my country. Circumstances and events seem to be growing and compounding out of control, even beyond and anarchist’s imagination.

Rising violence in major cities. Rising inflation, the rise in gasoline alone is brutal. Over 200k undocumented immigrants flood our border monthly. Some estimates are that 15 to 20% have COVID (an NBC News report Aug. 7 says 18% of migrant families at Border Patrol tested positive) and they are being distributed throughout the country. How do we beat a pandemic when we import it? And have you thought how many of those same people will drive cars with no education or training or licenses whatsoever? (Haven’t heard that before, have you?)

Our 20-year commitment to Afghanistan is ending in chaos and disarray and threat levels are raised. The list seems unending. Founder of three colleges, Roger Bason said, “Keep in mind that neither success nor failure is ever final.”

We have seen all this before. Yet, Hegel said, “History teaches us that man learns nothing from history.” So then, what can we do as individuals?

It was my fortunate experience to travel this country for business and what I have seen has given me hope. My experience working with hundreds of people from all walks of life, many races, many cultures has revealed an unyielding and relentless will to do good.

We are more than 330 million people who want to do the right thing. We are not politicians looking to get re-elected or make money. We want to raise our families, make a living, save for the future, send our kids to college, worship freely and be safe.

If you look at America from sea to shining sea and not from the perspective of the news or the dominant cascade of social media nonsense that seems to emanate from the population centers of our country, you find strong, vibrant, determined, hard-working, God-fearing millions of Americans who will give you hope that not all is chaos and violence. President Clinton opined that, “There is nothing wrong with America that can’t be fixed by what is right with America.”

We may disagree and disagree loudly, but that does not discount our underlying unity. Knowing that, I know that we can endure any threat. Our politicians, on their worst day, cannot change the character of the American diaspora. Our enemies cannot win. We are a force for good. Let’s be a force for God as well. After all, our country’s motto is, “In God we trust.”

So what can we do as individuals? As Mark Twain said, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and your government when it deserves it.”

First you take care of you. Strengthen your health, eat better, sleep better, think better and do all of this with a good dose of prayer. Second, communicate with your family … with a bigger dose. And third, get involved in your community some way, your schools, your church, Scouting, a homeless shelter, a senior center, veterans groups. You will find others who want to do good. Take strength in the fact that you are not alone

My conclusion … Yes, I am optimistic for my country because I know that, just as I am, America is in God’s hands for truly “God shed His grace on the thee.”

• William Peterson recently retired to Ottawa after working in the hotel industry for 40-plus years. He can be reached at dbarichello@shawmedia.com.