Hope
In our culture, somehow we have created a particular “glamour” around those who persist and win, in spite of limited hope for success. But we often don’t hear the sorted details of the painfully difficult journey… just that it happened. I would also say that we get to be more honest about life, because… come on… for a lot of us, hope can feel like disappointment waiting to happen, that we’re numb to it or it’s a slow burn.
On the flip side, it is also good to touch into hope. It’s no secret that each one of us has fought, is fighting now, or will fight in the future . . . hard-to-endure battles. At the same time, having the strength to recognize when hope should be relinquished, and the courage to acknowledge when something is out of our control, can point us in an unsullied direction that is accompanied by new hope. Hope is that thing that can sustain and strengthen us.
We discussed how it might be better to adjust the scale on hope, as well. Taking things in smaller bites, so we don’t future trip so easily. By acknowledging what might happen, even though it can be scary and unpleasant, but then bringing ourselves back to the present moment and attuning to our bodies. This allows us to reinstate “reasonable hope”; which feels like an oxymoron. This can assist us so we won’t as easily tend to take hope as disappointingly personal or give ourselves full blame, but no credit.
When we look at hope from this perspective, it can feel like we’re lowering our expectations, but actually we’re becoming more flexible. We are acknowledging compassion for ourselves, and others, instead of ramming ourselves into a brick wall.
Martin Luther wrote, “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” But that begs the question… what does hope mean?
In this reference hope is defined as believing that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. As well as looking ahead with desire and reasonable confidence. Which includes anticipating something and expecting fulfillment and lastly, trusting that the future will be bright.
Hope can help us endure when life is hard. Hope believes things will get better. Hope can give us the courage to get out of bed on our bad days. Hope looks for the possible, even when it seems impossible. Yet, giving up hope, in a specific way, is sometimes prudent in situations where turning our attention elsewhere is necessary in order to actually begin to reach our goal. Because if we were to continue to pursue a particular direction, where we invariably encounter roadblocks, would obscure other avenues that may lead to achieving the objective.
Similar to optimism, hope creates a positive mood about an expectation, goal, or a future situation. Such mental time travel influences our state of mind and alters our behaviors in the present. So, obviously hope is a very human thing. To quote Alexander Pope… “Hope springs eternal in the human breast. Man never is, but to be blessed.”
Support Groups: Click Here
Being real,
Pamela
