Hope is a practice...

3 STEPS TO BUILDING HOPE IN TIMES OF DESPAIR

Dear Reader,

As a community of sensitive, empathetic beings, witnessing & experiencing the traumas of this time can activate the natural human response of helplessness & hopelessness.

As a former clinical therapist who also manages a mood disorder, I know intimately just how destructive and dangerous these mood states can become.

Many of my clients have noted feeling scattered, unmoored & frenetic. 

For me personally, it feels like I'm inside one of those long, stormy nights…the lights keep flickering and I'm frantically scrambling around my house, trying to prepare for….for what??

 What am I trying to prepare for?

What are WE trying to prepare for?

 Uncertainty is kindling for chaos, self-doubt, and lack of focus….who doesn't need the antidote for that?! 

Enter: Dr. Charles Snyder and his pioneering research on the Psychology of Hope.

Essentially, what his research found is that hope is a cognitive process, NOT an emotion, as many people are taught and believe. 

Why is this life-changing?

Because it means hope, like gratitude, can be taught, practiced, and strengthened by following these 3 steps.

Step 1: Connect to Values and Vision:

• What does the world you want to live in look and feel like? 

• Which qualities (compassionate, courageous, creative, calm, kind, peaceful, sustainable, Earth-honoring etc.) are present in this world you are here to co-create? 

• In this world, how do you, personally, see yourself contributing to your family and community, both in tangible and energetic ways?

Step 2: Map The Trails:

Recognizing there are multiple pathways one can take to lead to this Long-Term Vision is a key component to cultivating hope.  It's the inner-trust that every hopeful person has. 

When Plan A doesn't work, a hopeful person knows she can draft Plan B,C, & D. When something breaks, a hopeful person innovates and rebuilds. When a pathway is blocked, a hopeful person assess progress and reinvests in their long-term goal.

 Seeking mentorship, community, and connection with fellow travelers who are dedicated to building a world rooted in shared values are non-negotiables for any hope-full person. 

 While all of us have Parts that get overwhelmed and scared by the journey ahead, connecting them to your Inner Voice is the most stabilizing and soothing energy for emotions like anxious, lonely, angry, & shame. 

Step 3: Courageous Leadership

 Of course, all this means little if we don't translate this creative planning into courageous action. 

 You are an agent of change. 

Your presence has an effect in the world. 

 Connecting that truth to an aligned action every day is the final step in the process of cultivating a more hopeful heart. 

• What energy are you bringing into your interactions? 

• How are you contributing your resources (time, talent, treasure) to building the world you want to live in?

With a hopeful heart

Love, Kristen