When do you start with hope?

What’s the right time to learn about hope and what it can do? Is it this time? In the time of crisis? May be. May be not.

There’s a fascination study on hope (Link ), covered in an article: Dr Seuss, resilience and the science of hope by Chan Hellman and Casey Gwinn (LINK)

While a serious read, it also delves into the ‘science’ of hope.

Hope is the belief that your future can be better than your past and you play a role in making it so.  Hope refers to our ability to develop pathways (waypower) or mental strategies that will help us achieve our goals and apply our agency (willpower) to these pathways. Dr. Seuss had it right. It is all about our choices, goal setting, and goal achievement before, during, and after adversity.

So when do you start with hope?

Do you have children? You may think they are preoccupied with their games and screens at this time but it is clear that they are worried. This is the time to pull them close to you (no social distancing please – only appropriate disinfecting) and tell them about hope. And tell them again. About hope.

Dr Seuss and Hope

In the article the quote by Dr Seuss from his book, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.”  is one of my favourites:

“You have brains in your head. 
You have feet in your shoes. 
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” 
- Dr Seuss 

This sure is an apt one to tell a child with eyes full of stars. 

Imagine getting a child to start with hope

Have you seen the video of the little girl trying to jump onto a stool with her father encouraging her. There is lots at play here, but what is obvious is she doesn’t lose hope. Watch that vid here

Imagine a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed child with stars in her eyes, wanting something and then… not getting it. Or imagine a child trying his or her best and failing. This is the time you give a child hope. There’s enough we have that allows us to ‘teach’ hope to our child. Enough pithy proverbs about – enough simple ones that a child can understand. And all out of the realms of nature:

It’s darkest before dawn

or this evocative one:

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”
― Emily Dickinson

And finally here’s one by the well-known Shel Silverstein from his book, Where the Sidewalk Ends.
And isn’t this something you can tell your child – and give her hope?
Truly, anything can happen. Anything can be.

So when do you start with hope?
Maybe now?
Now’s a good time!

Join us at #beadsofhope

If you or someone you know wish to look at hope in these times, become part of this group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/509881593017036/ .