2-3-4 Friday - on the tenacity of
hope
‘Seeking to spark the
most potential within you per word of any online newsletter’
1 thought
We’ve been pretty broke recently.
When you come to this point where you’re counting your pennies, and trying to figure out how to pay the people that have done great work for you, that’s when you realise that the proverbial sh/t has hit the fan.
You and I face this at some point in our
lives. Where we feel this desperation, and the darkening clouds that prevent hope from shining through.
Some say hope is like a drug. That if you have too much of it, then it stops you from being logical and rational, and figuring out how best to move forward.
But as helping professionals, I think that’s what we sell - hope.
The interventions may look like casework or counselling, but deep down, it’s hope that you’re trying to give to your clients. That something better will work out.
This concept was shared with me from the International Futures Forum, on this idea of ‘practical hope.’
How do you have practical hope?
How do you make a difference in the face
of everything that stops you from making a difference?
Maybe the first thing is to realise that you can’t always make a difference, and forgive yourself when you don’t. When things don’t work out, rather than beating yourself with a stick, take time to say,
I forgive you for X.
Perhaps the second thing is to have ‘hope anchors’, which can be little trinkets and mementos that remind you of what you’ve done. Some of the
easiest ways
- Instax (or Polaroid pictures) with your friends, after an accomplishment
- Reminding yourself of 2 small achievements you’re proud of yourself for that day, however small it is, by writing it down
- Encouragement letters that others have given you in the past
1 talk
Now faith is the assurance of
things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1, The Bible
1 tip
Why do we lose hope?
I think one key reason is because we see the reality that is in front of us, and we have little faith that things will change.
Hope is the belief in things unseen.
You believe that there will be an uptick, even though everything in front of you tells you that it may not happen. And you’re convinced that
whatever you’ve done leading to this point of ‘hopelessness’, will result in an even worse downward trajectory in future.
You’re faced with a downward trajectory, and you don’t know what else to do.
You feel screwed.
The trick isn’t to keep your head up in the clouds. But sometimes, when you really have no hope, it’s about asking 3 things:
- What am I exactly concerned about? What is the problem? Why am I so concerned?
- What’s working at the moment? Why is this working?
- How can I
focus more on what’s working, and drop what isn’t?
John
Live Young, Live Well - Work Your Love
Think others might benefit? I’m counting on you. Forward this on.