It's not that I didn't know about Hope.
It's always been a part of my life and I am even using the word in the tag lines for the benefit I am planning. But after I wrote about my fear last week, and got it off my chest (I hope I didn't depress or scare anyone), I did a lot of thinking. And then WHAM! it hit me. It's all about HOPE!
That's what I feel about helping people, and that's what helps us all get through everything that is a trial. We have hope and with hope, we survive.
Hope is the Thing with Feathers
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
I recently read Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Between 1942 and 1945, psychiatrist Viktor Frankl labored in four different death camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother, and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of those he treated in his practice, Frankl holds that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and move forward with renewed purpose.
Frankl's theory—known as logotherapy, from the Greek word logos ("meaning")—holds that our primary drive in life is not pleasure, as Freud maintained, but the discovery and pursuit of what we personally find meaningful.
In other words...HOPE. If we remember that there is always something we can find to look forward to, that there is always good to be found among the bad, and that there is always the chance that things can work out....well, there you have it! We can get through anything! You need to find a focus, something that you can put in front of you that gives you meaning and purpose. Think of the people you know who have amazed you with their positive outlooks and their view of the world. Think of the survivors we know---survivors of disease, divorce, deaths...these are people who amaze us with their strength. They never give up hope. We are so strong and so much stronger than we often realize! The spirit, the spirit we all have---call it your soul if you wish--- is truly amazing and we need to remember this in all our trials and in all our quests. No one said it would be easy and....really, who cares? It is how it is. Life can be hard. But hold onto hope. Remember you are in this for the long run. Enjoy the rewards...ah, that makes it all worthwhile.
laughter
sunshine and rain
food and drink
books
creating
rainbows
mountains and rivers
hugs and kisses
silliness and giggles
adventure
building strength
building courage
Trees and forests and plants
conversations
movement
changing lives
saving lives
success and learning from failure
exercise and dance
goals and challenges
music
education, learning, and graduations
sunrises and sunsets
love and friendships
romance
beginnings
endings
family and connections
time alone
getting all dressed up
pajama days
movies
theatre
art
animals
seeing your pets at the end of a day
a good night's sleep
naps
the feeling of satisfaction from working hard
Hope is the thing with feathers---a bird that perches in our souls...it never stops at all.
Hope is sweetest in the storm, when we need it the most.
Hope keeps us warm when everything is at its coldest.
It asks nothing from us. Not even a crumb.
Christa said "Thrilled to see ‘laughter’ listed first on your list. Without laughter, or, the hope of being able to laugh again, I would have perished long ago. Life isn’t easy but we keep going, we persist, we keep trying. Life is a gift. Cherish it."
Diana responded with "Oh, you are so right! Christa, thank you for writing. If I didn’t laugh every day, I would have such a different and more difficult life."
Rachel said "Love this post! This is such a simple idea, but we all forget it so often! Thanks!"
Diana responded with "Thanks for writing Rachel! It is usually the simplest things that make the most sense. =)"
Taibke Hyman said "I guess despair is not a new thing… Thanks Diana for sharing your vulnerability. Its good to know we are all on the path of stress reduction and it is an evolving path."
Diana responded with "Taibke, thank you so much for writing. We all go through so many of the same things and don’t realize that other people share the same feelings. We often think everyone else has it all together and we are the only ones flailing.I find that sharing what I go through helps others."
Trina Hess said "That ‘thing with feathers’ is what I found in my research on career change, ‘Living Between the Extremes’: when people had hope, they were able to plan, believe in themselves, and move forward. Without hope, they had no ideas, their creativity and energy was stalled. And you’re right: laughter is a great way to get us started back on the road toward hope!"
Diana responded with "Trina, I am so happy to hear from you! I love the insight that without hope, there are no ideas and creativity stalls. I know your thoughts here will help other people."
Teresa Amelio said "I was talking with a friend today. I was searching for the right word to ease her pain. I came home and saw “hope”. That was it. I forwarded your link. Thank you."
Diana responded with "Teresa, What a wonderful message to receive–thank you! I am so glad it was the right word at the right time and I am sending you and your friend much love. Diana"
Amanda said "I love this post. This list will definitely be a reference point with me. Great job, Diana!"
Diana responded with "Amanda, thank you so much for writing. I am glad you feel like you could use the information! Much love, Diana"
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