There is hope

All is not lost.  So says Bernadette Russell in Psychologies Magazine.  She even goes so far as to offer three ways of finding hope:

1. Set a goal – if you’re feeling overwhelmed and hopeless over a seemingly insurmountable problem, find a purpose can help by providing another focus.  Think of something you’ve always wanted to do – doesn’t have to be big or cost any/much money.  Could be something as simple as finishing that half-read book, running 5K, growing some herbs or a spot of DIY.  Choose something that excites or interest you, something that you can look forward to doing.
2. Go story hunting – what’s interesting about where you live? Start with a building, a street or a name that intrigues you. Follow that lead and look into its history.  Maybe you’re wondering who Tom Smith Close was names after, or why the local park was never built upon, or what that old place on the corner was originally built for.  The way things look around us now has so often been shaped by local people stepping in and making things happen.  It shows us positive change in living colour.
3. Find something to look forward to – if you have a difficult day, give yourself one thing to anticipate tomorrow, and thing about it before you go to sleep.  It needs be much, a cup of tea, a catch-up with friends or a nice soak in the tub.  Sometimes having even a small treat planned can deliver us through difficult days and give us hope~: “tomorrow will be better, I have this to look forward to”.

At this stage in the game, I am feeling rather hopeful and optimistic about the year ahead.  I know we’ll still have things to contend with, things that from time to time will bring us down a bit, plans that don’t quite go as we’d hoped.  However, I’m looking at it from an opportunity perspective.  Everything that comes my way is an opportunity for me to grow, develop, evolve. 

I chose not to let most things get me down.  I get frustrated, annoyed, upset, sure, but it’s often short-lived, or I’ll talk myself round to thinking on a scale of 0-10 how important is it in my life.  Anything less than a 7 and I’ll stop worrying about it soon enough.

I’m looking forward to putting some plans I have into action.  I’m looking forward to being more confident and assertive with what I want in my life.  I’m more optimistic about how I am going to respond to things and others.

I have a goal for 2022 and it revolves around improving relationships.  That’s with anyone, family, friends, colleagues etc.  In fact, I’ve already started putting some of it into action.  Where I live has a rich history, being one of the first Roman settlements in England.  Most people associate it with radio, but so much happened before that, it annoys me when people overlook that. Looking forward to small daily things is useful, for example, as I’m writing this, I’m looking forward to trying a new restaurant for brunch tomorrow. 

The simple things in life can be so rewarding if we choose to look around us and find the positive. Hope is not lost.