In our challenging world today, the news and social media too often focus on our problems, and this can bring us constant worry, fear and anxiety, undermining our hope.
Years ago, a wise woman called Peace Pilgrim said that "instead of stressing the bad things which I am against, I stress the good things which I am for. Those who choose the negative approach dwell on what is wrong, resorting to judgment and criticism" (1981, p. 26).
By focusing on what we don't want, we can become stuck in negativity. Reacting, condemning, attacking, we can be dragged into darkness, division, fear, anger, and resentment. This reaction can trap us in chronic stress, compromising our health and blocking our ability to think clearly.
By focusing on what we do want, we can move from being reactive to being creative, activating the power of hope. History shows this lesson well. In November, 1932, during the dark days of the Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president. By the inauguration, 13 million people were out of work and almost every bank was closed. While former President Herbert Hoover had focused on the problems of the Depression, President Roosevelt focused on possibilities, proposing bold new solutions. In his first hundred days, he proposed, and Congress enacted, a sweeping program to being recovery to business and agriculture, relief to the unemployed and those in danger of losing their homes and farms. He established the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Works Progress Administration, the Civil Conservation Corps, and other innovative programs, renewing our nation's hope.
You too, can build your hope by looking beyond problems to focus on what you do want.
- First, take a long, deep breath and slowly release it, asking yourself what's been troubling you in any area of your life—from the personal to the political.
- Take another slow, deep, breath to release any tension.
- Then ask yourself "What is the opposite of this?" "How would I like it to be?" Then visualize what it would look like and feel like.
- Breathe in that vision of possibility, feeling a new sense of joy and possibility as you slowly breathe out.
- Then ask yourself, "What is one small step I could take to move toward this new possibility?" Is there someone you could talk to? Somewhere you could find out more information? Some small action you could take?
When you are ready, prepare to take this first step, moving forward with a new sense of hope.
I wish you joy on the path.
____________________________
Reference
Peace Pilgrim. (1981). Steps Toward Inner Peace. Shelton, CT: Friends of Peace Pilgrim. For more information on Peace Pilgrim, see https://www.peacepilgrim.org/