HOPE Heals

“Hope is not for things to go a certain way, but opens the field of creative possibility and caring.”

Tara Brach

Hello Friends,

Being the first month of 2022, a new year full of possibility, I felt drawn to explore how we can instill and boost levels of hope in our lives and why it matters for ourselves and the world. The pandemic, climate change, violence, political hostility, and so much more can and does exacerbate feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Yet, what I do know and have faith in is the very real potential of hope and how it can be just what we need to nurture our resilience and aspirations for creative possibilities. In other words, when we find and follow hope within, we become the change that we want to see and be in the world.

Yet, I realize that as great as this sounds, it is very real to experience states of fear, stress, anger and worry. These states do foster a sense of powerlessness and a learned helplessness. The body tightens and negativity sets in.

One practical tool that I learned from Tara Brach that helps lessen the grip of stressful emotions is called RAIN (recognize, allow, investigate, nurture). The acronym RAIN is an easy-to-remember method for bringing mindfulness and self-compassion to states of unease. Click here for a guided RAIN meditation.https://www.tarabrach.com/meditation-rain-compassion-2/

What I also have found helpful is to give myself 10 minutes in the morning before I get out of bed to practice focusing on my breathing. Starting the day with a mind that is calmer and less reactive opens me to be able to hear my awakened heart. I then ask, “Who am I?” When I realize I am a divine human being, a miracle really, my soul sings and then I know that the vision I have for the world is doable by nourishing that vision within myself. I know that as small as I am in the world, I can contribute hope by being hopeful and letting that ripple into the moments of the day. I can be more patient, less judgmental and less fearful. Those choices are within my control.

Find out more about simple breathing practices from Barrett Self. https://exhalenow.co/directly-home

Here is a mantra that I say to myself: May my hope from my inner awakening contribute to a more caring world.

Discovering hope comes from giving yourself time (and it doesn’t have to be a lot!) to explore and connect to what is already within your heart. Live with this hope and it will energetically open you to trust and to manifest the power of loving kindness in your life and in the world.

Intention: Start your day by taking a few minutes to focus solely on your breathing. Ask, who am I?