Hold on to Hope
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The last few months have been a time of trying to make some positive changes in my life. Through the ups and downs of hoping to make progress, I soon realized that everything was not going to go perfectly as planned. I also realized that the constant feeling I needed to maintain in my life was simply HOPE. I knew that if I could remain hopeful through the process, everything was going to be okay!
The famous, often-quoted words, “HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL,” is from a poem entitled, "An Essay on Man" published by Alexander Pope in 1733–1734. I have always loved this short, 3-word phrase because its message constantly reminds me to never give up. These are powerful words! “Hope” means having an unyielding desire—obstacles may slow us down, but they will not stop us. “Springs” means we can hit bottom and still spring (or bounce) back up to the top! “Eternal” means it has always existed, and it will always continue to exist—we are eternal. Hope springs eternal!
For the last several weeks as I have been planning our agendas for our business meetings, I have been including a song that has a message of hope. Because I am a music lover, I know the power of music in lifting spirits and bringing light into everyone’s life. The thought occurred to me that using songs that inspire hope would also be excellent to use in business meetings to increase optimism in the future!
The first time I had this thought to share a song, I ignored it because I was concerned that others might think I was weird. As this thought continued to stay with me, I decided to play the song I’d been humming the whole week at my next meeting. I also printed the lyrics at the end of the agenda in case anyone wanted to sing along with the song or ponder the words later. (No one thought I was weird!)
Songs
Here is the list of five songs I’ve used so far, along with one of my favorite lines from each song:
When You Wish Upon a Star: written for the 1940 Disney animated film Pinocchio
“When you wish upon a star—Makes no difference who you are—Anything your heart desires—Will come to you”Faith in the Middle by Hilary Weeks
“God has spoken—You’ve had a witness; you know that this is what you’re meant to do”Fight Song by Rachel Platten
“My power's turned on—Starting right now, I'll be strong”My Wish by Rascal Flats
“I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too”Rise Up by Andra Day
All we need, all we need is hope—And for that we have each other”
I encourage you to take five minutes to watch the Rise Up “Inspiration Version Music Video” that shows such tender compassion and courage in facing difficult situations that most of us will never have to face. It will also provide motivation to handle our own dark days in a more valiant manner.
Books
I recently read the book, The Dream Giver, by Bruce Wilkinson, which is an inspiring story my daughter Michelle recommended to me. The first half of the book is a thought-provoking parable that teaches how a “nobody” can become a “somebody” through listening to your heart, following the Dream Giver, and never giving up. In the second half of the book, the author shares how to take the wisdom learned from the parable and apply it in achieving our own dreams. Yes, we will all have many discouraging moments as we progress through life, but we can receive renewed hope, strength, and perseverance to push through our fears that might be holding us back!
Another book, The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg, is one I read years ago. I decided I needed to read it again as I was trying to establish some new routines in my life. His explanation of the “habit loop” and his own personal stories are so motivating, and they have given me great confidence that I can continue to make positive changes in my life at the age of 73! In the 10th Anniversary Edition, Duhigg shares in the Afterward many remarkable stories of how this book has given hope to countless people around the world. Yes, we can all change and be the best we can be—no matter what our present circumstances are right now.
Quotes
Here are ten quotes that I love about hope:
"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words – and never stops at all." — Emily Dickinson
"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope." — Martin Luther
"Where there is no vision, there is no hope." — George Washington Carver
"May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears." — Nelson Mandela
“I find hope in striving to be whole—a wholeness born of faith in Jesus Christ.”—Camille Johnson
"Our hope concerning the future is great, and our faith is strong.—Gordon B. Hinkley
"Hope is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier." —Thomas S. Monson
"No matter how desperate things may seem, remember—we can always have hope. Always!" —Russell M. Nelson
"Raised in Hope"
by Chieko N. Okazaki
I think of hope as a modest but very tough everyday virtue, an ordinary but resilient virtue that is both gentle and beautiful. It is an unassuming but powerful force for good that will greatly increase our ability to do good and to be good.
What is the opposite of hope? Despair, of course, but despair comes when we feel powerless to influence events and when the sources of meaning in our life disappear. Despair is a kind of disorientation so profound that we lose contact with the sources of life itself.
The sources of hope are the sources of life itself. That’s why hope persists, even when experience, reason, and knowledge all say there is no reason to hope. Hope does not calculate odds. It is a double-sided virtue. Like this fan-hat, it is prepared for either sunny or stormy weather. To choose hope is to choose life. To choose hope is to choose love.
Please watch this amazing 11-minute YouTube video about hope.
“Hope in Challenging Times”
by Dallin H. Oaks
When we trust in the Lord that all will work out, this hope keeps us moving. Hope is a characteristic Christian virtue. I know it will counter all current
despairs. When you feel down, put faith and hope to work in your lives.
Please click here if you would like to read this short, inspiring article.
Scriptures
This I recall to my mind,
therefore have I hope.
— Lamentations 3:21
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;
for he is faithful that promised;
— Hebrews 10:23
Be strong and of a good courage,
fear not, nor be afraid of them:
for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee;
he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
— Deuteronomy 31:6