by

Reverend Marcia Howland

At Excelsior country school house the November highlight centered around a large horn of plenty, as we called it in those days. Each of us students, about fifteen representing eight grades, brought vegetables or fruits, many of which we had grown on our own farms. It was placed in a box or bag and presented to a family who had suffered one kind of hardship or another giving them hope that someone cared.

What is depleting your hope? Is it chronic illness, a broken relationship, disappointment of a dream not come true, unemployment, sorrow, lack of fulfillment, spiritual distress, lack of purpose, meaninglessness? It may be something that only you can identify. All of us experience diminished hope for one reason or another. Hopelessness occurs from a sense of despair, impossibility or uselessness to try again, in a seeming futile situation.

These times are when built-in cultivated hope holds us steady. When we may be at our lowest point or our wits end, a family member or friend can be our external anchor. It is healthy to surround yourself with hopeful people even when your circumstance may appear unchangeable.

Hope means expectation, desire, wish, dream, longing, confidence, anticipation, aspiration, possibility, and optimism. The physiology of hope releases wonderful chemicals in our body that repair it. The psychology of hope levels reality with expectation. The emotionality of hope provides present patience which embraces the delay of fulfillment. The sociology of hope invites a friend who empowers possibility once again. The mentality of hope enlightens the darkness. The spirituality of hope points to a source beyond the human circumstantial view.

There are thoughts and plans not for despondency, but for hopefulness that even though a situation may not change we can be at peace. The contented person is one whose hope does not concentrate on the situation but on a divine interruption of our attention. This change of focus strengthens our spirit. It is like a nurtured tree that will bud and leaf out again.

During the holidays, don’t let distractions deplete your hope. Rather, as Grace Noll Cromwell wrote “For I recall how often I have been distressed, distraught, dismayed and hands have reached to help, and voices called that kept me unafraid. If I can share this help that I have had, God knows I shall be glad.”

Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul

and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all

and swellest in the gale is heard.

And sore must be the storm that could abash the little bird

that kept so many warm.

I’ve heard it in the chillest land and on the strangest sea

yet, never, in extremity it asked a crumb of me.

Emily Dickinson

In her article in Grief Digest Magazine, October, 2009, Volume 7, Issue 2, Nan Zastrow lists “The Twelve Gifts of Hope” which I have shortened for this writing. 1.Go to a new place.2. Honor your wish on a special day.3. Honor a happy memory. 4.“Take care of me day” with a treat. 5. Recall a laughable memory.6.Enjoy a hobby or event.7.Receive in an unexpected way.8.Express thanks to a supportive person.9.Listen to music.10. Find a new friend.11.Count your blessings.12. Give hope to someone else. And you will find “fortunes in gifts of kindness, memories to soothe the moments, love to fill your heart, peace to soothe your spirit.”

Resource: www.wingsgrief.org