We all need hope to get through these dark days of winter. For me, I feel confident of steps I can take to find hope today. I developed that skill after a journey of hope that began decades ago on a bright, sunny day.
I remember opening my laptop to dash off a defintion of hope. Unexpectedly, I was stumped. I realized that I didn’t understand what hope was, how hope worked, or how to find the best hopes for today.—a realization that prompted me to try to define “hope.”
My first attempt appeared on my screen as a poem, one that almost wrote itself. The verses (below) served as my starting point for digging into the various literatures on hope and launching ongoing discussions of “hope.”
This morning, while reading the poem for the first time in ages, I see in new ways the imagery of hope that motivates to positive action when we can do something to improve the outcome. I appreciate in new ways the power of hope to comfort while waiting.
Hope is an image of goals
planted firmly in your mind.
When looking at life before you,
hope lines the paths you find.
Hope is a well of courage
nestled deep within your heart.
When faltering in fear and doubt,
hope pushes you to start.
Hope is an urge to keep going,
for limbs too tired and weak.
When apathy stills all desire,
hope sparks the fuel you seek.
Hope is a promise of patience
as you wait for distress to wane.
When all you can do is nothing,
hope pulls you through the pain.
Hope is a spirit that lifts you,
should heaviness pull at your soul.
When torn apart by losses,
hope mends to keep you whole.
Wendy S. Harpham, M.D.
In an eBook , Finding Hopes That Heals, you can learn the basics of one approach to finding hopes that help you live your best life. The book is designed for those dealing with any medical challenge.
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May each of you experience the gift of hope.
With joy and hope, Wendy
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