27 Days ’til 40: Finding Hope

 

I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest.  I do not judge the universe. ~ Dalai Lama

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.  Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. ~ Helen Keller

No matter how dark the moment, love and hope are always possible. ~ George Chakiris

I was thinking about hope today….. hope is one of those crazy things that can be so hard to grasp, yet so difficult to live without.  I remember when I was in grad school and we were discussing the rehabilitation of suicidal teens.  My professor cited numerous studies (none of which I remember, sorry) that correlated recovery from suicidal tendencies with hope.  Researchers found that when teens found some sort of hope for the future then they were able to move forward and no longer repeat suicidal attempts.  It makes sense.

We all need to feel that there is something to live for, a reason to move on.  If we are in the rougher moments in our lives, and we all have them, then we need to pause for a moment and look for that hope that our circumstances will morph into something more bearable, something that brings more joy and satisfaction.  Sometimes it is hard to let go of our depression, our frustration, our anger long enough to afford ourselves the opportunity to hope for change.  When we can let go and believe we find ourselves in a happier state of being.

Today, 27 days ’til 40, I am thankful that I am usually able to find that place of hope in my life – I hope you can as well.

~400daystil40