Finding Hope – Part 2
How does one go about finding hope?
6. Acknowledging Gratitude
Gratitude is being grateful for your life. It is being grateful for the little things that make life worth living, for the opportunities that are presented to you every day. Hope comes from being aware of how blessed you really are. Be thankful for today. Even in times of hopelessness there is always something to be grateful for.
Acknowledge your blessings. Keep a small notebook and everyday write at least five things that you are grateful for.
7. Gifting Hope to Others
Be a source of hope for others. In doing so it can also be a source of hope for you. When you do not know where to find hope, look for it in people who need your help. Even as you are struggling you still have the power through your time, talent, abilities and energy to bring hope to others. Your gifts could be the creation of hope.
8. Allowing Others to Help
Allowing others to help you could be turning to your loved ones and asking for their help. Your loved ones can provide the support you might need on your journey to hopefulness. It might be difficult to ask for their help, but do it anyway. They have a need to help you as much as you need their help. The ones that love you and care for you will want to help you rediscover your hope. Lean on them. Your loved ones can give you the time and energy needed to help you through your journey.
Seek out people in your life that see the bright side of things – the one’s that have a positive attitude about life.
Finding help could be connecting with people who have faced similar circumstances and overcome what you are struggling with right now. Where you lack hope others have probably been there too. Find a way to connect. Look for support and guidance through personal blogs, social media, online forums, podcasts, religious organizations and websites, books, conferences, retreats.
Finding help could be seeking professional aid through a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist.
Connecting with groups where you hear and read about hopefulness makes it easier for you to find hope again. It is important that you know that you are not alone.
9. Focusing on Our Spirituality
Many find hope through their spirituality. With spiritual hope a higher power is helping you through the ups and downs of life.
Finding hope in spirituality is trusting that God will lead you out of darkness and He will never leave you. Hope is knowing that God hurts with you, God is bigger than your pain, and God will heal your weary heart. Hope is knowing that there is power in your prayer.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
10. Looking for it in Unexpected Places
You never know where you will find hope. You never know who might give you hope. At any time hope can sneak up and surprise you.
Hope can be found in the beauty of a flower, the expectation of a new bloom, the beauty of a field of tulips, the sunshine of a sunflower. When you take notice of the beauty around you, you begin to realize that you are capable of remarkable things.
Hope is essential in life. Hope reminds us that bad times are temporary. Hope tells us to keep going and to keep looking towards the future.