It might not feel as though light is making a comeback. Or is anywhere to be found, for that matter.
Fires, hostages, terrorists, shootings, political unrest, random violence, citizen pitted against citizen. You name it. To quote a favorite author of mine, Anne Lamott,” Hell in a handbasket were the good old days.” These are times for which the word unprecedented was created. I think it should be written in upper case whenever it makes an appearance.
So, as I sit down to write this newsletter, almost every topic I think of seems too trivial. Too “So What?” Too out-of-sync for where things stand on this January day.
So, as I sit down to write this newsletter, almost every topic I think of seems too trivial. Too “So What?” Too out-of-sync for where things stand on this January day.
I asked myself, then, what do I write about when, under these circumstances, I feel no topic is quite right.
Back to Anne Lamott. I read recently (this morning) where she said, “Hope is not about being optimistic; it’s about being faithful to the truth of our lives.”
Hmm. This got me thinking deeply about hope in general, and mine, in particular. It occurred to me hope is not a fluffy, feel-good emotion; it’s a gritty, stubborn determination to keep moving forward, even when the road ahead seems uncertain. Especially when it’s uncertain. Who needs hope when everything is mapped out, like the floorplan at IKEA, where the yellow arrows are guaranteed to lead you straight to housewares?
I know for many of us, hope can feel elusive, especially during times of turmoil and upheaval. We may find ourselves wondering if things will ever get better, if the darkness will ever lift. But hope is not about ignoring the darkness; it’s about finding a way to navigate through it.
To borrow from the poet, Emily Dickinson, “Hope is the thing with feathers – that perches in our soul.” It’s a gentle, persistent presence that reminds us that we are not alone, that we are capable of surviving even the most difficult (read: unimaginable) challenges.
I know for many of us, hope can feel elusive, especially during times of turmoil and upheaval. We may find ourselves wondering if things will ever get better, if the darkness will ever lift. But hope is not about ignoring the darkness; it’s about finding a way to navigate through it.
To borrow from the poet, Emily Dickinson, “Hope is the thing with feathers – that perches in our soul.” It’s a gentle, persistent presence that reminds us that we are not alone, that we are capable of surviving even the most difficult (read: unimaginable) challenges.
So, the question becomes where do we find this hope? Sometimes, it’s in the smallest, most ordinary moments. A beautiful sunset, a good cup of coffee, a kind word from a friend – these small joys can be powerful reminders that life is still worth living.
Other times, hope comes from within. It’s the spark of resilience that lies within each of us, the determination to keep going even when things seem impossible. As Lamott says, “We can choose to be grateful for the smallest, most ridiculous things, and that gratitude can be the bridge that carries us over the abyss of despair.” Think about that. How many of us need a bridge? I know I do.
I’d like to offer a few practices that can help us – if not find hope – begin to cultivate it. If we take an aerial view, as I like to say, we can, like the eagle, exercise a kind of binocular vision and see beyond the superficial. Consider these small but meaningful practices:
*Pay attention to the small things: Notice the beauty in the world around you, no matter how small it may seem.
*Practice gratitude: Make a conscious effort to focus on the things you’re thankful for.
*Reach out to others: Connect with friends, family, or a professional who can and wants to hear you.
So, I repeat, to both you and me: ultimately, hope is not something we find; it’s something we fertilize. It’s a choice we make every day, a decision to keep moving forward even when the road ahead seems uncertain. As Lamott so eloquently puts it, “Hope is the belief that we can get through the toughest of times, and that there will be beauty on the other side.”
Other times, hope comes from within. It’s the spark of resilience that lies within each of us, the determination to keep going even when things seem impossible. As Lamott says, “We can choose to be grateful for the smallest, most ridiculous things, and that gratitude can be the bridge that carries us over the abyss of despair.” Think about that. How many of us need a bridge? I know I do.
I’d like to offer a few practices that can help us – if not find hope – begin to cultivate it. If we take an aerial view, as I like to say, we can, like the eagle, exercise a kind of binocular vision and see beyond the superficial. Consider these small but meaningful practices:
*Pay attention to the small things: Notice the beauty in the world around you, no matter how small it may seem.
*Practice gratitude: Make a conscious effort to focus on the things you’re thankful for.
*Reach out to others: Connect with friends, family, or a professional who can and wants to hear you.
So, I repeat, to both you and me: ultimately, hope is not something we find; it’s something we fertilize. It’s a choice we make every day, a decision to keep moving forward even when the road ahead seems uncertain. As Lamott so eloquently puts it, “Hope is the belief that we can get through the toughest of times, and that there will be beauty on the other side.”
If we look for it, we will find it. An open heart always does.
Be gentle to yourself, friend.
xo
