Having too much time to speculate about the present, I keep coming back to feeling hopeful, even as so much seems hopeless and broken. Maybe it is because the UK is experiencing such an awesome Spring, but I don’t think that’s the reason (although it is much appreciated). All the negative and troubling statistics make me sad for those who are suffering, but I still end up feeling hopeful.
Hope can be defined as a belief or yearning that things can change and be better in the future, especially when the present moment is uncertain or challenged. Feeling motivated to turn things around to benefit yourself and others. # Doesn’t that feel a lot like today?
What is driving my hopefulness is a deliberate strategy of defying the natural impulse to despair and re-framing the present hopefully. I know if I follow the despair route, there is no end in sight other than increased hopelessness and anxiety. My defense is to feel compassion for those suffering from Covid-19, but also to rejoice for those that have recovered. I admire the front-line workers putting themselves at risk, and|I am out there banging pots weekly to applaud their selflessness. I praise humanity for our artistic and creative natures. I re-arrange the daily dose of death from an absolute amount to a deaths-per-million measure (which tells a very different, but much more encouraging story). ** Keeping my social distance, I try to smile and say hello to as many strangers as possible.
The wonderful thing is that these pro-active actions improve my sense of hope. Scientists have found that doing acts of kindness produces the single most reliable momentary increase in well-being of any exercise they have tested.@ Finally, if you have a spiritual dimension, use it generously to invoke a sense of wonder, awe and promise.
Being hopeful can turn the tide on the overwhelming tsunami of anxiety and despair. We can all long for a better present and tomorrow. My friends, please be kind to yourself and others.
Reflection Source: www.Smallercup.org
Please freely share and widely, there are no copyright concerns.
#: Positivity by Barbara Frederickson
**: Follow this link for more: https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus-data
@: Flourish: A New Understanding of Happiness and Wellbeing by Martin Seligman