Hope|
Webster's dictionary describes hope as something that is hoped for: "Her forgiveness is my constant hope." And the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: "to give up hope."
I believe that life has a funny way of bringing up one subject that pervades the rest. It comes in seasons, sometimes a for a brief visit, and others longer, planting it in your mind.
For example, the topic of waiting has come up for me in the past. Conversations begin leading to the subject, I find that lines in stores seem longer, my patience is tried in ways it normally wouldn't be tried. And certain songs, books and movies resonate with me when they didn't before.
This season of my life brings the subject of hope. This is new for me. The concept of hope is all together complex and simple at the same time.
What does it mean to "be hopeful"? Do I live my life with a healthy sense of hopefulness? When do I feel hopeless?
These questions drip through my mind like a leaky faucet; constant and flowing.
But my question is this. What is hope to you and me?
When you are told that you have 3 months left to live, how do you feel hope? When you are told you did not get that job, how do you feel hope? When you lose deep love, how do you feel hope?
I think our issue lies not in the gravity and varying degrees of our pain and hurt, but our response to it.
My intention is not to be insensitive or unloving to people who are facing very difficult moments or even people who are feeling that they are at the edge of pain. But what I am saying, is this; what is our role?
I remember my sweet dog Tess. She was the sweetest and kindest soul. (Don't judge me...dogs have souls too.) I remember visiting her every morning, her sweet eyes greeting me, wagging her tail in bliss. She did not always know when I was coming, IF I was coming or how I was going to make my way to greet her, but she did not let that dictate her joy. She was unwavering in her loyalty.
Maybe our intention for being hopeful lies not controlling our emotions or letting things dictate our joy, but rather letting go of our preconceived notions of an outcome and just having faith.
,
How can you be hopeful today?
I believe that life has a funny way of bringing up one subject that pervades the rest. It comes in seasons, sometimes a for a brief visit, and others longer, planting it in your mind.
For example, the topic of waiting has come up for me in the past. Conversations begin leading to the subject, I find that lines in stores seem longer, my patience is tried in ways it normally wouldn't be tried. And certain songs, books and movies resonate with me when they didn't before.
This season of my life brings the subject of hope. This is new for me. The concept of hope is all together complex and simple at the same time.
What does it mean to "be hopeful"? Do I live my life with a healthy sense of hopefulness? When do I feel hopeless?
These questions drip through my mind like a leaky faucet; constant and flowing.
But my question is this. What is hope to you and me?
When you are told that you have 3 months left to live, how do you feel hope? When you are told you did not get that job, how do you feel hope? When you lose deep love, how do you feel hope?
I think our issue lies not in the gravity and varying degrees of our pain and hurt, but our response to it.
My intention is not to be insensitive or unloving to people who are facing very difficult moments or even people who are feeling that they are at the edge of pain. But what I am saying, is this; what is our role?
I remember my sweet dog Tess. She was the sweetest and kindest soul. (Don't judge me...dogs have souls too.) I remember visiting her every morning, her sweet eyes greeting me, wagging her tail in bliss. She did not always know when I was coming, IF I was coming or how I was going to make my way to greet her, but she did not let that dictate her joy. She was unwavering in her loyalty.
Maybe our intention for being hopeful lies not controlling our emotions or letting things dictate our joy, but rather letting go of our preconceived notions of an outcome and just having faith.
,How can you be hopeful today?
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