Hope
Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. - Desmond Tutu
Shirley and I enjoyed travelling to the Czech Republic in 2019. One of our fellow travellers, an avid admirer of political writers, and I spent an intriguing morning traipsing around Prague in search of books written in English by Václav Havel. Havel was a Czech writer, playwright, dissident, and first President. Following the fall of Communist rule, he emerged as a symbol of peaceful resistance to totalitarianism and became a pivotal figure in the history of modern Europe.
In his book Disturbing the Peace, Václav Havel wrote:
"Hope is a state of mind, not of the world. It is an orientation of the spirit and orientation of the heart; it transcends the world that is immediately experienced and is anchored somewhere beyond its horizons. Hope, in this deep and powerful sense, is not the same as joy that things are going well or willingness to invest in enterprises that are heading for success, but rather an ability to work for something because it is good, not just because it stands a chance to succeed."
In North America, we are entering a politically turbulent season, and Hope could play an essential role in shaping our mindset. Well-known actor Christopher Reeve, who, as you may know, had been a paraplegic for many years, spoke these inspiring words, "Once you choose Hope, anything’s possible."
Hope is not a pure emotion like joy or anger but is closely tied to emotions. With Hope, you can feel a sense of possibility even amid adversity.
Hope is a state of mind that can emerge in response to certain situations. It is vital to mental health and provides resilience to help cope with difficulties.
Feeling hopeless can be overwhelming, but there are steps that I’ve learned to help me navigate through it.
Start by acknowledging and accepting your feelings without judgment.
Break down overwhelming problems into small, manageable actions.
Focus on self-care by prioritizing sleep, a healthy diet, and physical activity.
Reconnect with activities that bring you joy.
Challenge negative thoughts by replacing them with balanced, hopeful alternatives.
Limit exposure to negative news or draining relationships.
Hopelessness is often temporary, and small steps can lead you toward hope, giving you a sense of well-being.
As Desmond Tutu wisely observed, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness." This is a reminder of the resilience and optimism that help individuals navigate even the most challenging hardships.
J.R.R. Tolkien wrote, “Hope serves as a source of motivation, driving people to take action, pursue goals, and strive for improvement in their lives or the world around them. There is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for.”
When I connect with others and take action with a purpose, I find my hope is rooted in collective possibility.
As you will see listed below, many philosophical, spiritual, and poetic writers describe HHopeas they see it:
Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future. - Robert H. Schuller
I dwell in possibility. - Emily Dickinson
A leader is a dealer in hope - Napoleon Bonaparte
“rue hopefulness and optimism are what leads one to dare. It is also what lifts one back up to dare again after a failed attempt.”- Bibi Bourelly.
Tomorrow is just another synonym for hope.”- Richelle E. Goodrich
Romans 12:12, The joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Hope is not merely wishful thinking. It is an active and dynamic mindset. Hope empowers me to persevere, make changes, and imagine a brighter tomorrow.
