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Don't Lose Hope!
Eight things you and your family can do to increase hope in uncertain
times.
By Naomi Drew www.learningpeace.com
"I've been so overwhelmed by what's going on these days,"
a mother recently
said regarding world events. "I feel like there's nothing I can
do and the
world's spinning out of control." Her words echo the sentiments
so many of us
feel each time we pick up a paper or turn on the news. War on the horizon,
nuclear weapons in North Korea, a family of six killed by a fire bomb
in
Baltimore, the massacre in Bali -- the list goes on. Right now, it's
easy to
lose hope. However, loss of hope doesn't have to be the path we walk
down.
You see, hope is actually something we create. It's not something that
magically appears from an outside source. We each have within us the
capacity to generate hope. It's critical that we be absolutely intentional
about nurturing hope in our lives and the lives of our children.
Now more than ever, overcoming fear and holding onto hope are essential.
The
eight steps below will enable you do this. Try these steps yourself
and teach
them to your kids. Do some of these as a family. Know that it is within
your
control to become more hopeful. Don't let the news be your undoing.
You can
take charge. Here's how:
1. Be kind to yourself.
Think about what you need most, and then do it. Is it a cup of tea,
a brisk
walk, some downtime, quiet music, a little rest, or reading inspirational
literature? Whatever it is, grant yourself permission to do it, even
for
just a few minutes. If you're at work, take a "care-break"
where you take
care of you for a brief moment. These small moments accumulate and transform
the texture of our days.
2. Create a 5-minute silence ritual every day.
Light a candle and pray, meditate or reflect. Just silently reflecting
in
front of a lit candle is extremely nurturing and healing. This may be
the
one time of day when you feel connected to your own soul, and perhaps
even
something larger. Don't skip this step -- it's very powerful.
3. Curtail your intake of news.
Oversaturation with news right now is detrimental to emotional health.
If
you read the newspaper in the morning, let that be enough. You don't
need to
turn on the TV or radio too, especially before bed. Consider putting
a
complete moratorium on news at least once a week. Anything you missed
will be
there tomorrow. Drastically curtail any news you let your children watch.
4. Treat each day like the precious gift it is.
Be vigilant in looking for things and people to appreciate. What if
today
was the last day of your life? How would you want to live it? Ask yourself
this question throughout the day. It will help you let go of the countless
petty annoyances that tend to throw most of us off balance. Shift your
gaze
to appreciation. Who and what are you grateful for? Make a list each
day and
add to it.
5. Every morning, afternoon and night, take a 30-second break to look
at the
sky, breathe deeply and offer thanks.
Even though the world has its problems, the sun still rises in the sky
each
morning, and we're awake and alive when we get out of bed. Let the sky
be a
touchstone to hope. Think of other people around the world as you look
at the
sky, and know that we all share this planet together. Among all of us,
we
have the ability to create solutions to the problems that now exist.
Trust
that this is so.
6. Express love tangibly.
Hugs, words, notes, acts of kindness -- be indiscriminately generous
with all
of them. Surprise a friend with a hug. Hug and kiss your kids longer
and with
deeper feeling. If you like how the clerk treated you in the store,
thank
her. Leave your partner small notes expressing gratitude for kind acts.
Doing
all of this adds warmth and positive energy to our lives and the lives
of
people around us. It's also very comforting both to the giver and receiver
of
each loving act.
7. Say this affirmation everyday and see where it leads you: "I
am the key to
peace."
Most of us believe, erroneously, that peace will come from people or
institutions much larger than we. Just the opposite is true. Peace starts
with each individual and it will only come to this world from the people
themselves. It is critical that we each create peace in the small and
large
moments of our lives. We must live it in our words and actions rather
than
giving in to fear, hatred, or resignation.
8. Make a difference.
Reach out beyond your normal scope. This is your opportunity to live
your
greatest promise, highest self. Don't wait. Each time we make a difference
in
the lives of others, we create hope in ourselves. By reaching out to
someone
in need, be it your neighbor, a Guatemalan orphan, or people in a homeless
shelter, we add a little more peace and hope to the world. Our accumulated
gestures of care and compassion will ultimately transform our lives
and the
lives of others. We are each the source of that transformation. Knowing
this
gives me hope.
Naomi Drew, MA, is an expert on conflict resolution and peacemaking
in
schools and homes. She currently serves as a parenting expert for 'Classroom
Close-ups,' a public television show. She is the author of four books,
serves
as a consultant to school districts, leads seminars, and runs parenting
courses. Her latest book is 'Hope and Healing: Peaceful Parenting in
an
Uncertain World' (Citadel Press). Visit Naomi at her website, www.learningpeace.com.
© Copyright 1998-2006.
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