The Power of Hope

There is so much going on in the world right now that is causing division and uncertainty and some people I speak to say they are feeling despondent and anxious about the future.

I hear the term “Polycrisis” being used more and more to describe what is currently happening globally. This is when multiple crises take place and amplify the effects of one another and create issues that are larger than the sum of their parts.

Everywhere we look there seems to be a great deal of chaos, turbulence and uncertainty however, when everything feels out of control, focusing on what we can control such as our thoughts and behaviours will help us to feel less anxious and more hopeful.

With so much tension about it helps to focus on wellbeing and self-care and make time for activities that will help us relax and de-stress. Something else that will also help us to navigate feelings of uncertainty and anxiety is hope.

Why is hope so powerful?

Hope is such a powerful emotion because it can help us overcome challenges and achieve our goals. When we have hope, we are more likely to persevere in the face of difficulty and find creative solutions to problems. Writer and psychologist, Jim Taylor has called hope the best possible emotion of all. Hope, according to his findings, is the affective wellspring from which every other good emotion in our life flows.

Hope can also help us to feel more positive and motivated, which can lead to better outcomes in all areas of our lives and boost our overall wellbeing.  

So here are a few suggestions of things that we can do to cultivate hope especially in challenging and uncertain times:

1. Practice daily gratitude

This is one of the most powerful things we can do to help us focus on the positives in our lives. Taking time daily to focus on things we are grateful for will help us to experience more positive emotions, improve our overall health, be more resilient and build stronger relationships. Focusing on what we are able to do, love and hope is a great place to start.

2. Fuel positive thoughts

One of the most valuable gifts that we possess as a human being is our ability to choose one thought over another. There are many ways that we can cultivate a mindset that will help us to grow and approach our life in a positive and successful way.

We will all have negative thoughts and when we do it is well worth addressing those thoughts by asking the following questions:

What else could this mean?

Am I jumping to negative conclusions?

What is the best part about this situation or person?

Am I filtering out the positives and dwelling on the negatives?

What are the benefits of these thoughts to me?

Being aware of the power we have over our thoughts and re-framing them where necessary is key. This will enable us to respond well and thrive in a world that is full of challenges and change. Even in the most challenging of times and situations seeking out the positives and optimistic will help us to cope better.

3. Take a break from social media

It is becoming increasingly obvious that our world is developing an unhealthy attachment to technology and mobile devices. Being constantly “switched on” is not good for our mental health. Various studies into neurological and emotional wellbeing highlight the need to take breaks.

Constantly scanning social media can make us feel agitated, especially with all the news and unpleasant things that are shared so freely. Being selective about what we look at is important and establishing boundaries about how long we spend on our devices and setting time limits can be very helpful. Consider making mealtimes screen-free times and bedrooms tech-free zones.

4. Look to nature

Nature is full of hope and is a constant reminder that life is resilient and that there is always something to look forward to including the cycle of seasons which can be a reminder that even the darkest times will eventually give way to brighter days.

A tiny seed can grow into a beautiful flower or a strong tree and this is a symbol of hope and renewal. Many animals migrate long distances to find food and better breeding grounds and this is a testament to the power of hope and the will to survive. Nature keeps on growing and moulding itself to challenges, never once giving up and ever hopeful.

5. Take action and have something to strive for

Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action and setting goals can help us to feel focused and hopeful.

Sometimes, when we set goals, the hardest part is just getting started. So, making our first step as small as we can means we are more likely to do it straight away and with minimal effort. It also helps to be mindful about focusing on action rather than getting stuck in the planning for too long. Taking any action, even a tiny one, is better than doing nothing.

Learning to embrace the power of “just one step” is helpful because we don’t have to do everything all at once. Commit to taking just one step towards your goal each day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. When it comes to achieving goals, consistency and perseverance are the key.

So let’s be hopeful

Hope is important because it gives us the strength to keep going, even when things are tough and it is like a light that shines in the darkness, showing us the way forward.

Finally, I would just like to share an extract from one of my favourite poems by Kalidasa who is often considered to be ancient India’s greatest poet and playwright.

For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision;
And today well-lived, makes
Yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well therefore to this day;
Such is the salutation to the ever-new dawn!