The beginning of a new year typically is a time to reflect on the past year and its lessons and to look forward to the year ahead. It is a time when many make resolutions and set plans and priorities for the coming year. We traditionally mark the the beginning of the new year with celebrations that are alive with hope and possibilities for the future.
Now the world seems to be in upheaval. We are still in the grips of a global pandemic. Almost every day we see and feel the effects of the global climate crisis. Misinformation that breeds uncertainty and confusion abounds. We face economic uncertainty. Violence is rampant. We live in an environment of social and racial injustice and political unrest. Much is happening in the world that has shaken us from the sense of comfort, ease and predictability that many had come to take for granted.
Suddenly our lives do not seem so predictable. Many report feeling out of control, unfettered from usual routines, afloat in a world of uncertainty, and no longer experiencing a sense of safety and security. Others are afraid, anxious and depressed. Many are grieving the deaths of family members and friends who died due to the pandemic. Too many see no way out of their current situation; and in their despair, their hope wanes.
In many ways our world seems to be crumbling around us. While much of the unrest, anxiety, depression, and violence are in response to glaring inequities and injustice in our society, some are attempts to cope and to figure the way forward into an uncertain future. Many who had bought into the illusion of certainty now see that illusion being shattered.
Much of the illusion has been based on an anthropocentric belief that (some) humans alone possess intrinsic value, resulting in attempts to dominate and control “other” humans and other-than-humans including earth’s natural resources. This mindset fuels greed, over-consumption and the depletion of natural resources; and it has contributed to global warming and many of the other problems in the world. It is clear that many of the old ways that include domination, control and rampant consumerism are no longer working.
The good news is that while we have been experiencing what feels like chaos and upheaval, we now have opportunities unfolding to envision and co-create a better world and brighter future for all. The crumbling of the old ways creates an opening for replacing what’s not working with new and innovative ways of doing and Being. In a better and brighter world, the flames of hope can burn more brightly within as we move into new ways to be in relationship with our own selves, with others, and the world we call home.
Now we are offered an important life lesson about impermanence.Through the upheaval around us, we have an opening to come to a deeper and transformative realization and remembrance about the nature of life. We are being reminded that impermanence is the nature of life and the world we live in. Everything is in a constant state of change and transience. Nothing stays the same. Change is inevitable; and this we must embrace if we are to adapt and thrive.
We are resilient and have the ability to adapt to change. As part of the natural living world, we exist in webs of relationships with all of the natural world. These systems are self-organizing and work together to maintain the balance and integrity of the whole. Perhaps we are witnessing and experiencing something like this self-organizing principle at work in the world today as the current state of chaos gives way to new levels of order and balance and the opportunity that we can actively and consciously contribute to the co-creation of a better world.
Accepting and embracing change opens us to new possibilities and kindles hope within. Hope is an optimistic state of mind with an expectation of positive outcomes. Our hope is heightened when we see that we have options and possibilities and that we are not alone during our difficult times. You are ever wholly connected to yourself, others and the wholeness of the world of which you are a part; you are never really alone. We are learning that connection has many benefits including increased happiness, better health, and longer life which can serve to replace hopelessness with renewed vitality and a more positive outlook on life. There is much we can consciously do to strengthen our connections with self, others, and the larger world.
8 Ways to Keep Hope Alive During Difficult Times
Connect with peace and stillness at the center of your Being. Even though the outer world around you may be in chaos and distress, within you at your center is peace and stillness. Your deepest inner self (your True Self) connects you to all of humanity and the world. Accessing that deepest level of you allows you to experience self-love and a sense of openness and expansion that re-kindles hope, curiosity and yearning for deeper connection with all of life. Some practices that can foster a deeper connection with your True Self include meditation, contemplative practice, yoga, and journaling. At this point in your life, how would you describe your connection to your True Self?
Tap into your inner strengths and resourcefulness. Each of us is endowed with a wealth of inner resources, strengths and unique qualities that we can draw upon to help us get through life’s good times and its difficulties. Some examples of inner resources are courage, resilience, compassion, generosity, gratitude, calmness, ease, and patience. There are many others. While you probably are aware some of your inner resources, many of them may not immediately be apparent to you; yet you can uncover them and bring them to the light of your awareness where they are readily available for you to draw from. Simply knowing that we have these resources within is empowering and confidence-boosting. Hope comes alive when we feel empowered and confident. What are some of your inner strengths, resources and qualities? How have these especially helped you during difficult times in your life?
Be aware of feelings. In order that you gain deeper understanding of yourself and others, it is important that you become aware of the full range of human emotions. Some people have grown up denying or repressing their feelings, because they were taught that certain feelings are “bad “ or inappropriate. Our emotions are okay and they are natural, but how we think or behave in response to our emotions may not be okay for the situation. It is important to learn to regulate your emotions. One of the many ways to begin to regulate your emotions is to pause, notice what you are feeling and name the feeling. Self-regulation allows you to keep your emotions in check as appropriate to the situation rather than react in ways that may worsen the situation. It is natural for emotions to surface and subside. Accepting your feelings as real is validating. Such a choice affirms your humanity and supports your connection with yourself and others. Pause right now and and check in with yourself. What are you feeling right now?
Expand your view. In many ways we seem to have forgotten our larger context as humans and how we fit into the larger picture of life. Life is about so much more than just us humans! The earth birthed us and nurtures us and all of earthly life. We are of the natural world and it is of us. Our hope for the future requires that we remember and honor our relationship and interconnection with the world so that we naturally want to care for it and all of life in a loving and compassionate way. This is a big picture view of the world and how we fit into it. It is an expansive and inclusive view.
Many people view life and the world in a narrow and limited way. Their fears and distrust hold them small and contracted. From this narrow view they cannot see the larger picture and the possibilities that are available to them. Thinking they have limited options, they may come to see their situation as hopeless. We always have choices. Simply knowing this can be empowering. We feel hopeless when we see no other options and no way out of our current situation. Seeing no way out, we may choose to give up. Each of us is a vital living being that is a part of a much larger picture. Your life is a dynamic unfolding process fueled by the spark of life within you. For you, that spark may seem like only a glimmer, but it is a glimmer that has the potential to grow into a larger flame from which hope springs and grows. How are your fears and anxieties affecting your experience of life? How might your life be different if you expanded your view?
Practice and cultivate compassion. Compassion means “to suffer together”. Often when tragedy strikes or during other difficult times, we come together to bring comfort and assistance to those in need. In our compassion we reach out to relieve the suffering of others as we know we are all in it together. Certainly the global pandemic has reminded us of how we are connected in our humanity. Connecting with others through acts of kindness and compassion is life-affirming; and our simple acts of caring and compassion can help kindle hope within the hearts of those who feel alone, in despair and seeing no other options available to them. What are some ways you have shown compassion for the suffering of others?
Allow yourself to grieve. Experiencing the death of a loved one, receiving a cancer diagnosis or experiencing another serious health issue, losing a job, getting a divorce, or any other loss can overwhelm us with sadness and despair so deeply that we lose sight of any meaningful future. Witnessing the devastating effects of the climate crisis on our beloved earth home causes much sadness and grief. Going through the various stages of grief is a process and helps open us to hope for moving forward in our lives. When our hearts break open in our grief, we eventually are able to let in the light of hope and possibility for the future. What losses are you grieving? What resources are available to you to support you in your grief process?
Stay grounded. As you go through difficult times that seem to shake you to your roots, it’s understandable that you may feel you have lost your footing and lost your way. Remember that we are always held in the loving nurturance of our earth home. She will nurture and support us as we live in reciprocal relationship with her. Taking a walk in in the woods or walking barefoot on the earth can help restore your sense of connection to our natural world and help you feel more grounded. Make a conscious effort to be more present to each moment of your day. Practice mindful meditation How might your experience of life be different if you felt more grounded and connected to the earth?
Be Grateful. You have been endowed with the precious gift of life. In your aliveness, you hold the spark of life within you. While you may sometimes feel hopeless, all is never lost. You are ever held in the great web of inter-Being. There is much to life that we take on faith or trust. There is much of life that is a mystery. In our unknowing, we trust in the Mystery that is much greater than ourselves. Surrender to the the Mystery, trust that you are held in It. There is much we do not know and is not ours to know. Approach life with curiosity, awe and wonder. What are you curious about? What are some experiences that evoked awe and wonder for you? For what are you grateful?
Happy 2022!! May your New Year be alive with HOPE for a better world and brighter future for all! Here at True Center, we are keeping hope alive.
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