Hope Is What's Possible
the antidote to fear
Edited from the Archives.
After my last post, Gods, Guns and Trump - Three Words that Don't Belong Together, a vegetable stir fry combined with red hot chili peppers, and the emotional stressors it resulted in, I thought it helpful to repost this essay.
Hello, my friend…
No question about it, we live in uncertain times.
Most of us can agree that when the ground we stand upon feels shaky it often causes anxiety, sadness, and confusion. Yet, we all are being asked to live in the paradox, the tension of opposites. It is the way of the Tantric yogi. Simultaneously we’re called to remain steadfast in our essential nature of goodness, and love.
We are being asked to stand tall in the light of truth.
What strikes me is the profound need and hunger for a deeper understanding of hope. From the comments received, I know there’s a strong desire to learn how to develop hope and to live from a hopeful place inside ourselves, even when the world seems to be falling apart. Especially when it seems the world is falling apart at the seams.
Recently I heard my friend,
express the idea that faith is active, a verb. I so agree.While we may feel unsettled by the dissolution of old worn-out paradigms disguised and touted as structures for a better society, I view deconstruction as an ingredient of active hope.
I’m not alone in the need to explore hope. Threads of hope weave through our collective thoughts, imprinting our hearts, and connecting the human family. Whether you believe hope to be for sissies or a courageous expression of what is possible; hope is the sweet sister of love.
Somedays hopefulness feels easy, like a lazy Sunday morning. Whether you’re pondering the bigger picture of the state of the world or a life circumstance, you ride the current of hope relaxed.
In a hot minute, you’re climbing Mt. Everest where each foothold is less stable - each breath shallower and hope far beyond your reach.
The thing to remember - hope is built into our DNA.
It’s written in our human contract.
Hope, the invisible hand that reaches out and pulls you up to stand on holy ground. Where once again you are allowed to reset and regain your equilibrium.
The river of hope ebbs and flows across a spectrum depending on what you’re personally dealing with and what you and I are navigating collectively.
When you’re living life, and it’s flowing along pretty dang good, your body feels light, the mind spacious, optimistic, with your heart a radiant beam of love.
However, when you’re smacked upside the head, falling into a pit where life majorly sucks, a specific situation gruesome and challenging, hope is nothing more than a cloud of smoke.
But hope practiced, cultivated, deepened ripples like a stone skipping across smooth water.
Let’s help one another stand on sacred ground by learning the rigor of hope.
Be kind to yourself. Take baby steps as you learn to strengthen your hope muscle.
Begin with your life. Consider something you desire; a small goal. Then plan a daily action step to move towards it. Acknowledge the little successes that shine the light of hope on your aspiration.
Practice yoga, not only movement on the mat. Be flexible in mind and heart. Ask your Sage self, what am I not seeing, hearing, sensing, or doing that might shift my perspective? Expand my vision?
Meditate. Journal. Pray. Laugh. Dance. Commune with nature.
Remember the adage, “This too shall pass”. There’s truth to this trope. Nothing is permanent. Not you, nor I, or the struggle.
Call in Saraswati, the Goddess of Divine flow. She will lead you away from troubled waters to the shores of possibility. All you need do is surrender the death grip of fear and invite her to guide you.
Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, coach, or spiritual advisor. They will remind you that you’re not alone. That you’ve been here before and that you made it through the darkness back into the light of dawn.
Surround yourself with others who strive for the highest good of all.
Remember, hope is what’s possible.
As in all disciplines, to get better at expanding hope, more skilled, you need to practice. I urge you to cultivate hope - our world needs massive infusions of love, hope, and grace.
With love and appreciation, Paulette
So needed at this time, Paulette!
When it comes to words if hope works , especially as activation & motivation thats great . As John Lennon said …”what ever gets you through the night”.
I explored and wrote about “hope and hopium “ a while ago, you have prompted me to revisit it. 🙏🏻