Hope Happens When You Do This
/We are in very turbulent economic and political times right now. There seems to be a general feeling of not only worry and anger, but heartbreak and grief. Strangely, the very same feelings we'd have if we had a big fight with a close friend.
Emotions are not only something we feel in our minds. Our body responds as well. Grief and heartbreak are often felt physically in the chest, like a heavy weight pressing down. When that happens, it's important to find hope. Hope has the opposite mind-body response and is uplifting and expansive. It allows us to breathe and keep going no matter how hard things get.
So if you've been feeling heaviness in your heart (no matter what the reason), here’s a few ideas for keeping hope within reach. You can also pop over to my YouTube channel to try out this short restorative practice to lighten a heavy heart.
1. Focus on the Present Moment
When there's a lot going on, keep your focus on things in the immediate future. Avoid looking too far ahead. We can’t predict the future. At least not with any real certainty. Outcomes can be a lot different than expected. Different outcomes may include some painful change and adjustment, but there is almost always something we can take away from even really painful changes.
2. Hunt for Hope
Last week, while I was waling my dog, I spotted an owl as it flew from one tree to the next. It was a rare sight and just for a moment I was absorbed in the beauty of that moment. It made me realize that even when things appear to be dismal, there is still joy. Actively look for beauty, joy, hope and strength. Here’s some ideas on how to find it.
think back on a time when you felt strong, either physically or emotionally and feel into it.
listen to a piece of music you’ve always loved.
watch videos of baby animals or humans playing. They seem to know the secret to finding joy.
enjoy the warmth of the sun. At this time of year it reminds us that the renewal of spring will surely be coming!
if you have a dog, enjoy their unbridled love and dependably waggy tail. Their "smiling" tail is contagious.
3. Remember: Feelings Are Temporary
Right now, things might feel extremely uncertain and anxiety provoking, but it won’t feel this way forever.
4. Do One Small Thing That Moves You - Literally
Sometimes we lose hope when it feels like we have no control. We feel stuck. Momentum, even the smallest of movements can help you feel unstuck. This doesn’t necessarily mean exercise, it can be doing something that’s been sitting on the “to-do” list for a while. Here's the best quote ever (wish I could say it's mine):
Don’t wait to feel motivated—motivation comes after you start.
5. Reflect on What You’ve Overcome Before
You’ve made it through hard things before. You are strong. And whatever challenge you may be feeling right now, you are not alone.
If the current state of our economic and political health are causing you despair, remember we, as Canadians are strong. We have made it through some really tough times as a collective. The 2008 economic recession and COVID are just two examples. We did it. We made it through and we can do it again.
6. Find Meaning in Madness
Pain isn’t pointless—it often leads to growth, resilience, or even a new perspective. Sometimes, hope comes from believing there’s something valuable on the other side of hardship.
7. Reduce Exposure to Upsetting Things
If you read the paper, then watch the 6:00 news followed by the 11:00 news and surf online news media in between, it may cause your cortisol levels to spike a little! Take a news break. For the most part, news is bad news. When we immerse ourselves in bad news it skews reality. Reality is never all bad.
So, if you’re feeling the weight of the world right now, try a few of the suggestions above to keep hope and joyful moments close. It may not change what’s going on in the world overnight, but it will certainly help how you cope with it. And that’s good news!
Stay well,
=)
Lori
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