The battle between living from a place of fear versus living from a place of love has challenged me over the years. Thinking I had it defeated - it's back. There is seemingly so much to be fearful of and my mind slips into the endless loop of playing out worst case scenarios before I realize what's happening. Then I remember what my life looks like when I react out of fear - there is constant anxiety and stress.  

I know it is as simple (and as complicated) as making a choice. A choice to stay hopeful. A choice to seek out truth. A choice to see love in people and their actions. A choice to live and act from a place of love. A choice to refrain from judging, others and myself. A choice to do my best.

Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways. The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again. ~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

Choosing hope allows me to find peace with the unknown. I believe hope is optimism in spite of how things may seem in a particular moment. Hope is welcoming the future with open arms - no matter what that future may hold. Hope is outside my window as we welcome spring. There’s a church in my community called “Hope City” - I long to go there and soak up all of the hope they have to offer.

Your Journey to Hope

• You are doing the best you can. I fully believe each of us, with the tools we have and where we are in life, are absolutely doing our best. Start there and refrain from judging what you perceive to be going on with friends and neighbors. Appearances are deceiving. Judging each other is exhausting. 

• Be generous with your thoughts and actions. Think the best of people and their actions. Forgive yourself for what you are or aren't doing. Give yourself grace and compassion. Be especially generous and kind to yourself. How are you holding up? How are you coping? Start there. And then reach out to loved ones.

• Acknowledge fear, uncertainty and loss. Allow feelings to move through you without judgement. Cry when you feel like it. Sometimes when I know I need a good cry - I watch a movie that brings on the tears - then I cry about everything all at once. And I feel so much better. I often worry once I start crying, I won’t be able to stop, then I deny myself a good cry. The power of a good cry can't be overstated.

• Don’t diminish what you’re feeling. Sometimes I don’t allow myself to feel bad because there are people out there who have things much worse. Allow yourself to experience emotions like anger, grief, fear, doubt. There's no incorrect emotion. You deserve (and need) to express yourself. If you don’t, you will hold onto those feelings in your body and end up expressing your feelings at the wrong time and in the wrong way. 

• Give yourself permission to do what you want to do, not what you feel you have to do. Give yourself time to relax and rest. I find when my life is chaotic, I take comfort in things that bring me comfort. Hello Grey's Anatomy, dark chocolate and carbs.

• Re-imagine your life. What will your life look like when this is done. I’ve always found letting go of things makes room for possibility. I believe this is especially true now. I’ve found even memories can hold me back. I’m not saying never have a fond memory ever again. But as we move into a new reality, open your mind and heart to something new. We have been given an opportunity to build our lives -almost from the ground up. What will you keep? What will you let go? How will you move forward?

We must give ourselves permission to feel what we’re feeling without boundaries or limitations. I believe that’s the first step to moving through any difficult situation. Then we must choose - love or fear. Take a deep breath and remember the place of love that resides within you. And within all of us. Let’s find our connection to love and to each other and take this journey of hope together.

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This blog is intended to provide helpful suggestions for self care and overall well-being. I am not a mental health professional. If you’re struggling I encourage you to seek the help of a professional. Find a Mental Health Professional | National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988