Nothing is impossible.  Every day I see laughter return where there had been tears, light break through the thickest darkness, and wholeness replace the broken places in the heart and soul.  I see that there is nothing more resilient than the human spirit and nothing more powerful than hope partnered with love.  No matter how stagnant, painful, or dark a situation may be, there is always a way through and a way out-there is always hope.

 

Hope is the sacred energy of possibility.  It lifts our hearts and our consciousness out of the realm of the problem and into the realm of the solution.  It opens the doorway to our dreams by connecting us with the inner resources and determination necessary to achieve them.  Hope fires the human spirit.

 

And yet, at times, it seems that hope is absent.  We seem unable to see beyond the distressing situation that engulfs us.  We get so mired in hopelessness that we become apathetic and feel like it would be easier to give up than to fight for things to change. 

 

Do not despair.  Like a dear and trusted friend, hope is always near.  Here's how to find new hope.

 

POSITIVE DENIAL - There is a dramatic difference between negative and positive denial.  Negative denial says "no" to the problem by pretending it isn't there thereby making it worse.  Positive denial says "no" to the problem not by being blind to it but by seeing the problem and still choosing to see the perfect order, harmony, and love that exists beyond or beneath it.  The only way to see in a dark room is by bringing light into it.  Even the smallest spark of light will illumine your way-because the light is always stronger than the dark.  Positive denial is the energy of the Divine Child archetype.  It is the spiritual energy that chooses to see light instead of darkness. 

 

IMAGINATION - Hopelessness is the result of our inability to see a solution to a problem.  But we can engage our imagination to begin the process of envisioning new possibilities.  Our minds are extremely resourceful in helping us come up with the solutions necessary to deal with any situation.  Our imagination taps into the healing principle, that driving force inside each and every one of us that knows the way toward wholeness.  Once we begin to see the possibilities, the steps come into focus, and we can see the right way out of a difficult situation.  The right way may not be what we initially wanted but it is always one that hurts no one, brings with it rich lessons of growth and healing, and is for the highest good of all concerned.

 

CHANGE THE QUESTIONS - Questions change what we focus on and therefore how we feel.  The kind of questions we are asking will determine whether we feel disempowered or hopeful.  We can shift out of a disempowered state by altering the quality of our questions.  A disempowered state is one in which we feel trapped or victimized in a situation.  An empowered state is one in which we take ownership and see the possibilities inherent in the situation.  Because the mind is compelled to answer any question it is presented with, by changing the quality of the questions we can shift into a more empowered state.  For example, instead of asking "why did this happen to me?" ask "what can I learn from this?"   Instead of "what is the problem?" ask "what is the solution?"

 

BORROWING HOPE - At times it may be difficult to feel hopeful.  If that's the case it is OK to borrow hope until you can find it on your own.  Surround yourself with people who are supportive, kind, and positive.  Seek the advice of a good friend, minister, or the counsel of a professional therapist.  Talk to someone who will help you to feel both lifted and grounded at the same time, as if you could reach the stars while having both feet planted firmly on the ground. 

 

COMMITMENT TO ACTION - Hope, like love, is a verb.  It is not passive, but an active psychological and spiritual state of powerful and positive expectation.  Once we glean what the possible solutions are to a problem we can begin to take action on the steps that will bring about the change we seek.  If the solution or steps are not clear, it is important to take action by doing that which is in front of you to do, whatever that may be!  Taking action moves you away from inertia and hopelessness and sends a message to the Universe that you are committed to remain a dynamic participant in the activity of living!  It is this commitment to action that will bring about unseen forces to come to your aid. 

 

As Goethe said of the power of commitment:

 

The moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. 

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred....

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.

 

May hope fill your heart and may it always direct your steps to the beautiful rainbow at the end of each storm.