Finding hope

When the news broke that a viable COVID vaccine had been developed, it felt like we had been given an immediate injection of hope, even while we wait for the actual injection to be released. The vaccines that are circulation gave us hope that our lives can return to some kind of normal .

Hope is so important to us as human beings. Research would suggest that hope for the future has an effect on our motivation, energy and even our choices about diet and exercise. It makes sense. When we believe the future can and will be better, we’re going to invest in the now. When we believe the future is bleak, why bother?

The COVID vaccine has provided such hope that we will be able to resume working, socialising and living without many of the restrictions we had to face at that time. It gave us hope that ‘things’ will be better…

I wonder what hope means to you?

Finding and maintaining hope isn’t as easy as 1, 2, 3 but I do humbly share a suggestion of an ABC to consider:

Accept and expect challenge

Hope understands that life has it’s challenges and won’t be easy. In fact, it expects this. It sets off in the pursuit of something better knowing that it’s ok that it’s not ok now, because it can and will be better in the future. The pathway out of lockdowns and tiers isn’t going to be linear, but it’s certain. Hope sets itself up for ‘failure’ but also knows that ‘success’ will come eventually.

Reflect: What are you hoping will be different in 6 months time? What one thing is realistic and joy filled for you to imagine?

Believe

Hope believes in the possibility and ability of the human spirit to rise up and take on the challenge; not individually, but collectively. We all cope differently with challenges; some are wired to be helpers, others are wired to be creators and others to be activists. At times, we might be able to do all of these, at times, none. But collectively we can and we will.  Whatever challenges we face, there will those there to help. The bravest thing is often to ask for and accept it.

Reflect: Who can you be for others over the next 6 months? Who and what do you need in the next 6 months?

Cultivate 

Hope needs cultivation. It needs us to surround the seedling with the right voices to bring encouragement for the journey, and remind us of the destination. It needs us to keep the end in mind and not get too bogged down by listening to endless negativity. It might need us to switch the news off and crank up the volume on the gratitude-o-meter. (try recording three new things you’re grateful at the end of each day for 21 days – research says this reprogrammes the brain to notice the positives).

Consider: Who/what do you need to listen to less? Who/what do you need to listen to more?