HOPE: Do you need some hope today to keep moving forward?
By Sally Tippett Rains
Even in the worst of times we can find glimmers of hope and joyful moments, if we just take a few minutes to calm down and see them.
The only way to be happy is to keep moving forward, embracing the present (bad as it may seem to you right now) and bravely looking towards the future. Do you feel like you are stuck right now? Think about why you are stuck; why you are not moving forward. Are you sad? Lonely? Mad about something? Disappointed in someone or yourself? Scared or worried about a situation you can’t control? Have you lost hope?
Choosing Happy doesn’t mean everything is perfect, it means you choose to get the best out of your life—whatever has been handed to you.
Your life will be so much better if you wake up ready to face the day. There is always hope. There is never no hope. Hope is what gives us strength and the determination and drive to live our life.
When you realize there is hope in your situation– hope for a better day– you will become stronger.
We have all been caught up in the midst of a chaotic situation. Everything seems to be going wrong and you feel like you are completely flailing. A situation like that can cause us to lose our strength and our hope. If this happens, take the time to sit down and breathe. Perhaps confide in a friend, read an inspiring book, look up some verses in the Bible. I like to light a candle when I have a big situation I am praying about.
Do something to calm down because being unfocused and in chaos puts us on a bad path. Expecting the worse just brings on more negative. Don’t ever say “what ELSE can go wrong?” A LOT can go wrong. Ask “what can go right?” and then start looking for it. We have to save ourselves– and we can do it.
Every morning of my freshman year in college, my next-door roommate would come in my room and say in the happiest (yet most annoying at that hour in the morning) voice: “Great Day in the Mornin’!”
Years later, I say it to myself every day—no matter what I’m facing. As soon as I wake up, when I’m still in my bed, I thank God for giving me another day, and say “Great day in the Mornin!” I think just saying those words out loud sets a tone for how I will face things. Then in the kitchen (still before coffee) when my husband Rob says, “how are you doing this morning?” I try to always say “I’m doing great!”—another phrase that sets the tone.
There are some days when we are not “doing great!” but no matter what you’re facing, don’t give up. Maybe it is because I have “walked through the valley of the shadow of death”– as most of us have– that I value little moments of happiness in my life. I treasure them so much and try to help others achieve them.
If I can possibly help it, I won’t let other people or situations steal my joy. I’m standing there trying to keep my “happy” around me– and then someone brings their negative drama too close and potentially ruin it. (And this includes annoying posts on Facebook, comments from politicians, rantings from friends– that all invades our personal happy space.)
A dramatic person can really change your mood and bring you down. Does that ever happen to you? Someone brings unnecessary drama into the middle of your day. If it’s truly a problem they need our help with we should take the time, but if it is something completely out there, it’s ok to reply and then attempt to divert the conversation. It’s not healthy to have that in your life and I have actually started saying to people (in a loving way) “don’t let your ‘negative’ get in my ‘positive.'”
Through our charity Rainbows for Kids, every day I see the courage that parents and grandparents display even when they are not “doing great.” I see many of them making happy memories during a very tough time in their life; and a positive attitude goes a long way in a patient’s recovery.
Many of us have experienced the loss of a job—which was the main source of income. When Rob lost his job years ago, we weren’t “doing great,” but I honestly don’t think my kids realized it because we chose happy and continued having fun doing things that didn’t cost anything. We got “new” clothes at re-sell it stores and groceries from Aldi’s. We did what we had to do to keep having fun –and we never lost hope. No matter what you are facing you shouldn’t either.
Whatever you are going through today– you can do it! Keep moving forward. Hold your head up, take a deep breath and have HOPE.
BIBLE VERSE:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
— Isaiah 40:31, NIV
Just keep moving forward, you can do it. You may not get where you thought you were going, but you might get somewhere awesome.
QUOTE:
“Once you choose hope, anything’s possible.” –Christopher Reeve
ACTION PLAN:
Today is about having hope and moving forward. Think of what is stopping you from achieving your goals or achieving your dreams. Did you stop trying? What are some ways you can choose to move forward?
If life has caused you to change the direction of a goal or dream then move in the new direction with hope and faith because God is with you. Let Him “take the wheel” and “be a light unto your path.” Trust Him and go along for the ride.
Is there someone you can help move forward by giving them hope?
You might want to get a notebook to take notes as you go on this journey. If something here inspires you, jot it down so you will remember it. If you think of something that might inspire us feel free to contact me through the Contact Page and tell me about it.
If you know someone who could use inspiration, please tell them about our blog. If you want to know more about my “Choose Happy” book, CLICK HERE.
If you are the mother of a child with cancer in the Greater St. Louis Area and would like a free copy of the book please contact me. If you can’t afford the book but would really like to have it and read it, please contact me. The book is filled with inspirational stories told to me by amazing people– some are famous, some aren’t. l would love for everyone to read it and pass it on to others. Request it at your library.
Let’s work together to make the world a happier place– and us happier people.