My children always give me a sense of hope but on my own, the fact that I can survive as long as I have in such a cold world is amazing to me. The fact that I have overcome everything that has brought me down brings me hope that there is an eventuality of something positive bound to happen.
Not easy in this very moment but for sure His Love offers hope, you here, and staying grateful during difficult times. Being the light i want to see in this world. Thank you.
Communities coming together to help others. This year I have been seeing many people on Facebook asking for resources of help at Christmas for their families. There is an overwhelming response. Also during tragic weather events people are coming together with helping hands.
Every day in the last few years
I struggle with hope . . .
I never thought our country
could ever be so threatened,
and I certainly never believed
that the threat
would come from within.
What gives me hope
is seeing how the planet has survived human destruction
before,
and will again
when we are gone . . .
Nature
will reclaim what is hers,
as we do our best
to rape her
and exert our will over her.
We are also busy
destroying ourselves and each other . . .
our democracy in this country,
as flawed as it is,
is in peril . . .
I believe we got lazy
and stopped paying attention.
My hope
is that we begin to awaken
to the very dangerous path ahead
and keep our compass on Truth,
while the storms toss about us.
Things don’t always go as planned,
or how we want them to,
but in the aftermath of tragedy and despair,
there is a clear blue sky.
When I am at my most hopeless
I turn to the words of Julian of Norwich,
who said,
“All shall be well, and all shall be well,
and all manner of things shall be well”.
My artwork is giving me a sense of hope. I see my portraits and figure drawing improving.
I now see hope as possibilities.
But right now I’m content taking classes, and continuing to improve.
Mary, this makes me think of the article Finding Steady Ground ( https://www.findingsteadyground.com/ ) . One of the seven suggestions is “I will be aware of myself as one who creates”
Well, the present moment actually is proven that it is perfect. I am grateful for getting to swim laps today and go into the sauna! What a lovely day it is . Thank you for this moment to feel freedom and joy.
I am hopeful that I will incorporate the knowledge that the quality of my life is based on the choice I make of how to engage in this present moment.
I will prioritize this knowledge and be grateful for the opportunity to practice it – as consistently as I can!!! – What a wonderful “aha! I LIKE that!” feeling of hope I can feel right now! have a good day out there if you can, Community , and if that is a challenge, then I hope you can find some comfort. – thank you for being here. carol
“To be hopeful means to be uncertain about the future, to be tender toward possibilities, to be dedicated to change all the way down to the bottom of your heart.” Rebecca Solnit
I would change this quote a bit: “…”to be dedicated to willingness all the way down to the bottom of my heart.” Why? Because accepting change requires willingness. Circumstances change but without willingness, we do not. One day at a time, one step at a time, be willing to evolve, to grow in personal awareness.
How do I embody this willingness? When egoic longing is permeating every fiber of my being, I do my best to remember that I am one with the Universe–a microcosm of the macrocosm. When I can do that, my longing becomes belonging. I gain a new perspective. I’m part of something that is filled with potential. I’m wanted and needed and called to embody the hope that willingness brings into every situation.
I paraphrase a quote from Jane Hirshfield: So right now, ‘this is my hope: that the recognition of our shared fate might cause us to act as if shared fate is the reality that in fact it is.’ And, I must admit that this is a challenge even with willingness.
Carol, your words and quotes make me think about how willingness can be a vulnerable and courageous act. In the US, it seems the culture is being encouraged to contract into an “everyone for themselves,” narrow selfishness. Apathy and numbing would be easier, but the harder choice is way more enlivening. I love the broad view of thinking of yourself as a microcosm of the macrocosm, and then from that humble place, feeling belonging.
I have to go with work-related hope because my state has some deep, deep budget challenges and it’s been a source of anxiety for weeks. The governor released his budget yesterday. In it he proposed maintaining the current level of funding for two major grant programs my division oversees to fund bicycle/pedestrian improvements, and funding to continue our statewide school-based bicycle safety education program that teaches kids to ride and gives them a bicycle if their family can’t afford one. That gives me hope that we’ll come out the other end of the legislative session relatively intact, continuing to make streets safer and growing the next generation of kids who ride with skill and confidence.
A small hope: I just responded to the poll for a cookie exchange and I’m hoping they pick a time I can go to give and receive delicious cookies!
Thank you for ALL you do for your community Barbara! I live in a rural area and I have beed advocating for kids to get bicycles so they can particpate in after school activities and be able to make it home safe. Most of them get on the bus to get home and miss on the opportunities to play afterschool because of the need for a ride. My someday dream! Thank you!
The beautiful near full moon in winter’s clear sky, the last couple nights. I’m looking forward to Earth’s movement of Solstice- days will grow longer, more daylight, etc. Seasonal changes of a new year in Nature’s cycle- that brings me abundant hope.
Joanna Macy popularized the terms developed by David Korten of The Great Unravelling, The Great Turning, and Business As Usual as three stories of what is going on at this point in history.
All three things are happening at once, but each of us can throw our weight behind one of the stories with all of our moment by moment choices.
One thing that gives me hope is that all the turmoil of this world is making it harder and harder for people to cling to the planet-harming and humanity-harming “Business as Usual”. I am hoping that more and more people who are shaken out of Business as Usual will give their all to The Great Turning, towards a more sustainable and joy-giving way of life for everyone.
The sense of hope is something I’m learning to cultivate, as a practice. This is based on the idea that change is constant, and as long as I am experiencing and feeling the world, there is a sense of hope. Ross Ellenhorn wrote: “Hope is the belief that one will endure no matter what one’s circumstances—not simply survive, but endure, and endure in one’s very beingness; one’s capacity to interact with the world, to make decisions, and to accept experience.”
A hopeless state is, to me, a state that does not acknowledge the possibility of change. Hopelessness is small and constrained. Hopelessness fears hope, to paraphrase Ellenhorn’s ideas; it’s a way of being oppressed by certainty. To venture to feel hope is to be courageous enough to welcome change.
Signs that I’m practicing hope include: thinking new thoughts. Feeling new feelings. Noticing new things. Feeling fear and vulnerability as I proceed in doing a new thing, or doing an old thing in a new way. Being affected by familiar things in new ways. The fact that such change is even possible means I am alive, and that life is always changing, and therefore I can practice hope, because there is so much mystery, so much I don’t know and can’t see.
Drea, I remember that when I was in elementary school, I used to argue with my brother about whether people could change for the better. I did not think that people could change for the better, but he did.
With the insight of looking back over many years since elementary school, I can definitely say that my brother was right!
Elizabeth, what smart kids you and your brother must have been, to have that kind of debate so young! I had always assumed, in the way of the person with rose-colored glasses, that people would simply *want* to change for the better. Then, as an adult, I began to witness the opposite (well, both types of change, but more individuals showing downward momentum than I previously would have thought). I began to realize that positive change can be more work than negative change, and that was humbling.
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My children always give me a sense of hope but on my own, the fact that I can survive as long as I have in such a cold world is amazing to me. The fact that I have overcome everything that has brought me down brings me hope that there is an eventuality of something positive bound to happen.
Not easy in this very moment but for sure His Love offers hope, you here, and staying grateful during difficult times. Being the light i want to see in this world. Thank you.
Yes, “Being the light I want to see in the world.”
I love that!
Communities coming together to help others. This year I have been seeing many people on Facebook asking for resources of help at Christmas for their families. There is an overwhelming response. Also during tragic weather events people are coming together with helping hands.
Every day in the last few years
I struggle with hope . . .
I never thought our country
could ever be so threatened,
and I certainly never believed
that the threat
would come from within.
What gives me hope
is seeing how the planet has survived human destruction
before,
and will again
when we are gone . . .
Nature
will reclaim what is hers,
as we do our best
to rape her
and exert our will over her.
We are also busy
destroying ourselves and each other . . .
our democracy in this country,
as flawed as it is,
is in peril . . .
I believe we got lazy
and stopped paying attention.
My hope
is that we begin to awaken
to the very dangerous path ahead
and keep our compass on Truth,
while the storms toss about us.
Things don’t always go as planned,
or how we want them to,
but in the aftermath of tragedy and despair,
there is a clear blue sky.
When I am at my most hopeless
I turn to the words of Julian of Norwich,
who said,
“All shall be well, and all shall be well,
and all manner of things shall be well”.
“My hope
is that we begin to awaken
to the very dangerous path ahead
and keep our compass on Truth”
I really like this, Sparrow!! Awaken, keep our compass on Truth. Amen!
I feel ya on all of this, Sparrow.
I am feeling very anxious and sad about the future. It gives me hope to read all of the responses here today. Thank you all.
My artwork is giving me a sense of hope. I see my portraits and figure drawing improving.
I now see hope as possibilities.
But right now I’m content taking classes, and continuing to improve.
Blessings to all. May you all have a grateful day
Mary, this makes me think of the article Finding Steady Ground ( https://www.findingsteadyground.com/ ) . One of the seven suggestions is “I will be aware of myself as one who creates”
Well, the present moment actually is proven that it is perfect. I am grateful for getting to swim laps today and go into the sauna! What a lovely day it is . Thank you for this moment to feel freedom and joy.
I am hopeful that I will incorporate the knowledge that the quality of my life is based on the choice I make of how to engage in this present moment.
I will prioritize this knowledge and be grateful for the opportunity to practice it – as consistently as I can!!! – What a wonderful “aha! I LIKE that!” feeling of hope I can feel right now! have a good day out there if you can, Community , and if that is a challenge, then I hope you can find some comfort. – thank you for being here. carol
Small groups! This group! We are seeds that will Sprout great things.
Love that!
Thank you for saying this ! It’s so true ! Today is the day! This moment!
“To be hopeful means to be uncertain about the future, to be tender toward possibilities, to be dedicated to change all the way down to the bottom of your heart.” Rebecca Solnit
I would change this quote a bit: “…”to be dedicated to willingness all the way down to the bottom of my heart.” Why? Because accepting change requires willingness. Circumstances change but without willingness, we do not. One day at a time, one step at a time, be willing to evolve, to grow in personal awareness.
How do I embody this willingness? When egoic longing is permeating every fiber of my being, I do my best to remember that I am one with the Universe–a microcosm of the macrocosm. When I can do that, my longing becomes belonging. I gain a new perspective. I’m part of something that is filled with potential. I’m wanted and needed and called to embody the hope that willingness brings into every situation.
I paraphrase a quote from Jane Hirshfield: So right now, ‘this is my hope: that the recognition of our shared fate might cause us to act as if shared fate is the reality that in fact it is.’ And, I must admit that this is a challenge even with willingness.
Carol, your words and quotes make me think about how willingness can be a vulnerable and courageous act. In the US, it seems the culture is being encouraged to contract into an “everyone for themselves,” narrow selfishness. Apathy and numbing would be easier, but the harder choice is way more enlivening. I love the broad view of thinking of yourself as a microcosm of the macrocosm, and then from that humble place, feeling belonging.
I have to go with work-related hope because my state has some deep, deep budget challenges and it’s been a source of anxiety for weeks. The governor released his budget yesterday. In it he proposed maintaining the current level of funding for two major grant programs my division oversees to fund bicycle/pedestrian improvements, and funding to continue our statewide school-based bicycle safety education program that teaches kids to ride and gives them a bicycle if their family can’t afford one. That gives me hope that we’ll come out the other end of the legislative session relatively intact, continuing to make streets safer and growing the next generation of kids who ride with skill and confidence.
A small hope: I just responded to the poll for a cookie exchange and I’m hoping they pick a time I can go to give and receive delicious cookies!
Thank you for ALL you do for your community Barbara! I live in a rural area and I have beed advocating for kids to get bicycles so they can particpate in after school activities and be able to make it home safe. Most of them get on the bus to get home and miss on the opportunities to play afterschool because of the need for a ride. My someday dream! Thank you!
Thank you for being an advocate, Ana Maria! Those kids need your energy and hope.
Congratulations on your potential financial security, Barb. Those programs, like so many, affect the greater overall good in a community.
The beautiful near full moon in winter’s clear sky, the last couple nights. I’m looking forward to Earth’s movement of Solstice- days will grow longer, more daylight, etc. Seasonal changes of a new year in Nature’s cycle- that brings me abundant hope.
My resilience and ability to make it work.
What a wonderful answer, Charlie!
Joanna Macy popularized the terms developed by David Korten of The Great Unravelling, The Great Turning, and Business As Usual as three stories of what is going on at this point in history.
All three things are happening at once, but each of us can throw our weight behind one of the stories with all of our moment by moment choices.
One thing that gives me hope is that all the turmoil of this world is making it harder and harder for people to cling to the planet-harming and humanity-harming “Business as Usual”. I am hoping that more and more people who are shaken out of Business as Usual will give their all to The Great Turning, towards a more sustainable and joy-giving way of life for everyone.
I’d like to study more of Joanna Macy’s work, it sounds so relevant and timely.
The sense of hope is something I’m learning to cultivate, as a practice. This is based on the idea that change is constant, and as long as I am experiencing and feeling the world, there is a sense of hope. Ross Ellenhorn wrote: “Hope is the belief that one will endure no matter what one’s circumstances—not simply survive, but endure, and endure in one’s very beingness; one’s capacity to interact with the world, to make decisions, and to accept experience.”
A hopeless state is, to me, a state that does not acknowledge the possibility of change. Hopelessness is small and constrained. Hopelessness fears hope, to paraphrase Ellenhorn’s ideas; it’s a way of being oppressed by certainty. To venture to feel hope is to be courageous enough to welcome change.
Signs that I’m practicing hope include: thinking new thoughts. Feeling new feelings. Noticing new things. Feeling fear and vulnerability as I proceed in doing a new thing, or doing an old thing in a new way. Being affected by familiar things in new ways. The fact that such change is even possible means I am alive, and that life is always changing, and therefore I can practice hope, because there is so much mystery, so much I don’t know and can’t see.
Drea, “Endurance” is such a wonderful word…many years ago when I was a speech writer, I used it often in speeches.
Thank you for sharing that wonderful quotation and your thoughts. Feeling change as aliveness and therefore as hope–love this.
Drea, I remember that when I was in elementary school, I used to argue with my brother about whether people could change for the better. I did not think that people could change for the better, but he did.
With the insight of looking back over many years since elementary school, I can definitely say that my brother was right!
Elizabeth, what smart kids you and your brother must have been, to have that kind of debate so young! I had always assumed, in the way of the person with rose-colored glasses, that people would simply *want* to change for the better. Then, as an adult, I began to witness the opposite (well, both types of change, but more individuals showing downward momentum than I previously would have thought). I began to realize that positive change can be more work than negative change, and that was humbling.