The other day our new rescue dog Fiona climbed into my lap while I was on the computer and she stared at the screen as if she would type something. I wondered what she might say. I think it might go something like this:

I remember a time when I couldn’t find hope anywhere. Just a few months ago, lost and alone, I searched for a kind hand, a full belly and a soft place to sleep. Each day tumbled into the next. My stomach ached, my skin sunk in around my bones. And then the fever started. Hope seemed impossible. Time stall. I wandered and searched for any tidbit of comfort. I couldn’t figure out how it happened. Where were all the things I was used to? Why had my life changed so terribly? I began to give up on the idea that this awful time would change. And suddenly, there were people and there was food and now I’m sitting in a dog sweater with a shiny coat and ten pounds on me. If only I knew it was almost over, I would have had more hope. But we never know what lies right around the next corner.

And now I see my new people juggling hope and dropping the balls sometimes. They cry and they get frustrated and I hear them say, “When will it end?” I wish I could tell them it will be soon. I wish I could tell them hope is the answer and give them some for Christmas. Hope is the bridge they need right now. Hang on my dear people, better days are coming.

Of course that’s what I THINK she would write. She might write, Take off this ridiculous sweater, or Give me some bacon!  But you never know!!

Happy Holidays.

We often talk about the importance of living in the present moment. And although that's still sage advice, right now we may find some much needed solace in hoping for a brighter future.

Experts define hope as "an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large." Hope gives people a reason to continue fighting and believing that their current circumstances will improve, despite the unpredictable nature of human existence. Hope helps us to contemplate the future in a more positive way rather than as a projection of previous negative experiences.  

Research shows that hopeful individuals recognize that life may not work out as planned, yet they maintain positive expectancy directed toward possible outcomes that hold personal significance. As a result, individuals with high hope are more likely to view stressful situations as challenging rather than threatening, thereby reducing the intensity and hindering the proliferation of stress.

According to Dr. Charles Snyder's Hope Theory, hope is cultivated through pathways thinking and agency thinking. Basically this means cognitively generating multiple routes (or pathways) to the desired future, and having confidence that you have the ability (agency) to follow those routes. In essence, this involves realizing that there are multiple solutions to every challenge, and you have the power to take the path that you believe leads to your desired future.

Experts state there are many types of hope. I wanted to share a few that may be most helpful right now:

• Realistic Hope ~ hope for an outcome that is reasonable or probable.
• Patient Hope ~ a hope that everything will work out well in the end.
• Utopian Hope ~ is a collectively oriented hope that collaborative action can lead to a better future for all.
• Chosen Hope ~ choosing to be hopeful even in the face of an uncertain future.
• Universal Hope ~ a general belief in the future and a defense against despair in the face of challenges.

We hope this helps you cultivate some hope in these challenging times.

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season!