Today in the United States we celebrate Independence Day. It’s a day to celebrate freedom, independence, and hope.
And, sometimes life can throw a curve ball, like an unexpected health challenge, business challenge, or other circumstance that can leave you feeling a bit melancholy.
So, how do you stand in hope when you’re facing a circumstance, are missing someone you wished were celebrating with you, or feeling off?
Try this (you might be surprised how one shift can make a big difference):
H – Help someone else.
Seek out volunteer opportunities at a soup kitchen or at a local church. Chat with an elder at your local senior center. You can create hope in another person’s life. On one occasion, a gentleman who just lost his job, volunteered at a local hospital only to discover a job opening and a new career. It’s interesting how opportunities open themselves up when we’re giving to others.
O – Opt in to Optimism.
Author Robert H. Schuller of Don’t Throw Away Tomorrow, states “Optimism refuses to believe that the road ends without options.” Optimism has you focus beyond your current circumstances and to believe that other things are possible. Once you make the choice to be optimistic, you begin to explore alternative opportunities. All it takes is an optimistic belief and taking one step each day to get you closer to your desired vision. It is inaction that keeps you in fear and skepticism, but focused action that provides the momentum to make your desired change.
P – Prepare.
How often do you prepare yourself for what will come your way? Are your finances in order to receive more funds? Have you signed up for additional training that forwards your vision for your future? Did you prepare a thought-out plan to get you to your desired future? Instead of waiting for something to happen, create a proactive plan and take action to prepare yourself to receive new opportunities. I’ve heard people say, “but I’ve been preparing and I just heard the other day I didn’t get the contract.” That might just mean that you’re one step closer to the next opportunity and need to prepare a little longer or take a different road. Have you prepared your mindset? Always having another step in the plan helps you to focus on moving ahead with hope rather than staying in the rigors of rejection.
E – Evoke Gratitude.
In the most difficult times, evoke gratitude even for the small things in life. Often times, fear evokes thanklessness and that attitude can dig a deeper hole. When you focus on daily gratitude you shift your thinking patterns. You begin to look at more possibilities.
Each of us has the ability to be examples of hope, to have hope, to live hope or to give hope. In the words of an unknown author, “when the world says “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”
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