Your Daily Dose of Hope

Two powerful and very different books that explore the theme of hope are The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. While their styles and settings vary, both offer meaningful reflections on how hope can survive—even flourish—in the face of hardship, loneliness, and change.

Here are five powerful quotes about hope—each offering a unique lens on what it means to hold on, rebuild, or begin again: 1. “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” — Desmond Tutu This reminds us that hope doesn’t require perfect conditions—it just requires a glimpse of possibility. Even in our darkest hours, the presence of hope means the light hasn’t disappeared. 2. “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” — Martin Luther Hope is often the silent force behind every action, invention, and movement forward. It’s the belief that what we do matters and that the future can be shaped by our efforts today. 3. “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come.” — Anne Lamott This quote speaks to the courage of showing up when the outcome is uncertain. Hope isn’t passive—it’s persistence. 4. “Once you choose hope, anything is possible.” — Christopher Reeve Here, hope is framed as a decision—a turning point. Choosing hope opens the door to potential, even if we don’t know what comes next. 5. “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 A poetic reminder that hope is quiet but constant, nestled deep within us, often singing when we least expect it.

When hope feels lost, it can be hard to see a way forward—but even the smallest step can begin to shift your perspective. Here are three things you can do to begin reclaiming hope: 1. Name what you're feeling—without judgment. 2. Look for a single bright spot. 3. Ask for help or let someone in.

There are 4 fundamental truths about hope that you can always count on. That's today's Daily Dose of Hope.

Hope doesn’t always arrive with trumpets or grand announcements. More often, it shows up quietly—like the first light slipping through the curtains after a long night. You might recognize hope in a deep breath before a difficult conversation. In the moment someone offers kindness without expecting anything in return. In the way a child believes tomorrow will be better, just because. Sometimes hope looks like getting out of bed even when your heart is heavy. Other times, it's daring to dream again after a setback. It's in the laughter you didn’t expect, the idea that won’t leave you alone, or the simple fact that you're still showing up—still trying. Hope is in the decision to ask for help instead of suffering in silence. It's in the way we plant seeds in a garden before the last frost is gone. It's in the quiet choice to try one more time—at healing, at creating, at connecting. Hope isn’t blind optimism. It’s the courage to believe that change is possible, even when you can’t see the full path yet. It’s not about pretending things are perfect—it’s about trusting that better is still within reach. So today, pause for a moment. Look around. You may be more surrounded by hope than you think.

Hope has holes in it’s pockets. It leaves little crumb trails that we, when anxious, can follow it. Hope secret: it doesn’t know the destination it only knows that all roads begin with one foot in front of the other. Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer I love the idea that there are crumb trails of hope don’t you? It’s such a great mental visual that reminds me we find hope when we look for it. There’s always something that will be there for you when you need it, if you are willing to look. The poem also reminds us that hope is an active thing. It often requires action, a metaphorical step forward from where we are towards where we want to be.

Mental Health Awareness Month, observed in May, is celebrated to increase awareness about mental health and wellness, reduce stigma, and promote support for those affected by mental illness. It provides a national platform to educate the public, advocate for better policies, and encourage open conversations about mental health. I am not a mental health expert, but I know that hopefulness helps our mental health so I want to share a few things that mental health experts want us to know and be aware of. • Increased Awareness: The month aims to raise public understanding of mental health issues, including their prevalence, impact, and potential for prevention. • Reducing Stigma: By openly discussing mental health, the stigma associated with mental illness is reduced, encouraging individuals to seek help without fear of judgment. • Promoting Support: Mental Health Awareness Month provides opportunities for individuals and organizations to offer support to those struggling with mental health challenges. • Advocacy for Better Policies: The month serves as a catalyst for advocacy, encouraging policy changes that prioritize mental health care and access. • Celebrating Recovery: Mental Health Awareness Month also recognizes the progress and resilience of individuals who have recovered from mental illness. In the US 1 in 4 of us will experience a diagnosable mental health disorder this year and 50% will have have a mental health disorder in our lifetimes.

I want to talk about recognizing what makes you feel hopeful, in good times, in everyday moments and yes, in those times when you are frustrated or sad or worried. We all know that our thoughts determine our feelings, but many times it feels the other way around. In moments of sadness or distress it can feel like my brain is in a loop of one worrying thought after another. There are legitimately challenging things that happen in life and pretending that things are okay when they aren’t, isn’t helpful or healthy, but neither is catastrophizing and thinking about the worst-case scenario either. I talked the other day about having a list of hopeful things you can turn to, and this is another take on that idea. What’s one thing you can do when you need a bit of hope?

I recently read a book about a midwife from the 18th century who kept a journal and the entries were often 2 or 3 sentences at the end of each day it a shorthand summary style. Example: Cold today. Checked that Dolly’s fever is gone. I was home. And that made me think of modern day bullet journaling. I’ve tried it but it didn’t work for me but now I have a new idea and it could be a great recording of hope. We know it’s a renewable resource – so what if writing once sentence at the end of each day make it easier to be filled with hope? Daily Gratitude’s Growth Moments - Track instances where you stepped outside your comfort zone or overcame a challenge. Future Dreams – Dreaming on a daily basis is a great way to keep looking at what’s possible a key element of hope. Acts of Kindness – You could log those you do for others – imagine what a world it would be if we were all making sure we did one act of kindness every day so our journal wouldn’t be empty. Small Victories – A game-changer if you have to acknowledge one thing each day that you did well. Something Beautiful – just thinking about doing this made me smile. Will I have multiple entries about my cats or the hummingbirds – probably! Summoning Courage – this one I want to think about because my first instinct was to say – I can be courageous everyday – can I? Can you? A Hopeful Moment – this is what these recordings do for me right now – it makes me think about hope, and why and how it keeps showing up. What if you did the same? Even a few minutes each day spent reflecting on the positive can significantly shift your perspective over time. I hope you’ll pick one and start – maybe challenge yourself to try this for 10 days and then see how you feel? Hope, kindness, gratitude, courage – all renewable and never-ending resources for us to use.

I’m sure you are familiar with the concept of your tomorrow self. I use this little trick when I really need to take care of something I’d rather avoid or do something I don’t want to do. Reminding myself that tomorrow Phyllis will be really happy it’s done, is a good way to stop procrastinating and get it done. It’s crazy how I can dread something that ends up not really taking that long. Lots of wasted mental energy there! Recently I was looking through some old journals and planners where I keep notes on clients, things I need to do and general reflections of what’s going on at the time. I flipped through a few and there were notes on things that at the time felt really hard, or were causing me lots of anxiety – and looking back with the gift of reflection I can see that things generally worked out. That’s when the lightbulb moment hit me – What am I obsessing about now that will not be that big a deal to future Phyllis? Maybe not tomorrow me, but me in a couple years or so. Can I see how I might be allowing something to take up more mental anxiety than is necessary?

It’s okay to let go of always and never. Not much in life is that consistent. Sometimes I think our desire to have calm, predictable days and weeks leads us to fight against the always things that don’t show up or to not acknowledge the never things that do. Hope Beyond "Always" and "Never" In a world of uncertainty, we cling to absolutes. "This always happens" or "that never works out." These rigid beliefs offer the illusion of control but often leave us frustrated when reality refuses to conform. Hope operates differently. It doesn't demand guarantees or perfect patterns. Instead, it thrives in the spaces between absolutes—finding possibility where certainty fails. When we embrace hope, we release ourselves from the tyranny of "always" and "never." We understand that today's failure doesn't predict tomorrow's outcome. Hope whispers: "Things change. Patterns break. Exceptions exist." This isn't blind optimism but a clear-eyed acknowledgment that life's complexity defies absolute rules. The friend who "always" cancels might surprise you. The promotion that "never" comes could be around the corner. By trading rigid certainties for hopeful possibilities, we find freedom. We respond to life's unpredictability not with frustration but with curiosity. We remain open to the exceptions that break every rule. In the end, hope doesn't eliminate disappointment—it simply places it within a larger story that hasn't finished unfolding. And in that unfinished space, we find the courage to try again. Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use. Wendell Johnson Here’s to letting hope fill in when things aren’t certain, leaving room for what’s truly possible.

Today I want to do something a bit different. Each day I want to share something that will help you find hope or remain hopeful or possible share hope with someone else. It’s a renewable resource after all and we know it grows the more we share it with others. Today I want to suggest creating your personal hope list. Use your phone or something easy – don’t make this a big project. It’s best if you go with what comes to you right away. Who and what in your life keeps you hopeful or gives you hope? Put it on the list. Be generous, no one else will see this – this is just for you. I’m going to share 3 things from my list, just for inspiration to help you get started.

3 years ago, my younger brother passed away. He’d been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer just 3.5 years earlier. I He never gave up hope. In fact, he packed a ton of living in those years even with 2 surgeries and regular chemo treatments. I miss him of course, and I wish he was still here and also appreciate his enthusiasm for life and his desire to be clear-eyed about what was most important to him. As sad as those hospice days were, they also gave me hope. I’m sharing this because it’s an act of hope to live – to show up and do what makes you happy – to let the people in your life know how much that matter to you – It’s an act of hope to plan for the future, to dream about possibilities It’s an act of hope to care about others, even people you don’t know It’s an act of hope to plant a garden, to publish your writing – to start a new job – to reach out to an old friend – to believe that things will get better Hope is part of remembering what was and planning for what can be. Here’s to a great day full of hope and possibility and an even better tomorrow

I know I’ve talked about this before, but here in Ohio where I live we are finally having some sunny days and temperature that make you want to kick off your boots and go grab your flip flops. And there’s nothing like it. I love it all and try to appreciate it all as well. Life has a seasonality to it too. I’m truly hopeful for what’s next. I hope you are too wherever you are – that you can look back with appreciation for what you’ve accomplished and overcome and look forward with hope for the future.

I once heard someone refer to Dolly Parton as in American treasure and I think that feels right. she's is beloved by people in the country music world and her popularity has exceeded Way Beyond her humble Tennessee upbringing. I consider Dolly an ambassador of Hope because she’s always done things on her terms with thoughtfulness for others. In 2023 she published a beautiful book titled Behind the Seams, that is about all of her costumes and gowns and wigs and all of her clothes that she wore through the years. As a young musician and performer, before she was the famous Dolly Parton she is today, she had the presence of mind to keep the clothes that she wore. Before she was a big star. I find that hopeful. She came from humble beginnings and she talks about this in the book about how why she's always worn big sparkly clothes and high heels and the big wigs she explains that they made her feel beautiful and special. The value of cherishing her clothes for herself it's such an act of hope. She did not know back in the '60s and '70s that she was going to be the Dolly Parton that we all know and love today, or maybe she did! It reminds me that when we're willing to be true to who we know we are, be true to what we know is right for us, what makes us feel good, good things will happen. Behind the Seams photo credit: Alexander Krivitskiy Unsplash

Today I'm reading a post written by someone who made such a great point that hope and happiness are ours to treasure, even if things aren't perfect. 3 minutes of happiness!

Life Experiences That Give Hope • Witnessing unexpected kindness - Those moments when someone goes out of their way to help another without expecting anything in return remind us of the fundamental goodness that exists in humanity, even during challenging times. We also know that our brain releases feel-good chemicals when we show kindness to others, received kindness ourselves and witness the kindness – it’s the ultimate win/win/win. • Recovering from failure or setback - The experience of falling down but finding the strength to get back up proves our resilience and teaches us that difficulties are temporary, not permanent conditions of life. It’s often when we may need to ask for help or acknowledge that we can’t do everything on our own. I want to be the kind of person that people come to when they need support, and I also want to be willing to ask for help when I need it. • Reconnecting with old friends - When relationships survive distance and time, it demonstrates that meaningful connections can endure and even deepen, showing us that some bonds transcend circumstance. Are you good at keeping in touch? That’s something I’d like to do a better job of – my mom was great at this. She kept in touch with letters and cards – and then phone calls with people for year. To this day, she still gets phione calls from a woman who befriended her when they were stationed in Florida in the 60’s. Her friend is in her 90’s and my mom is in her 80’s and they still do that. So much of life feels planned – we have routines and structure and I’m glad for that too – who wants chaos? Not me – a nice surprise now and then – that’s cool. I remind myself and I want to remind you too that you can Be intentional about the kind of day you want to have, the kind of person you want to be. There’s hope in choosing. Here’s to a great day today and an even better tomorrow.

Tom Bodett, author, NPR essayist, and if that doesn’t ring a bell, you may know him as the Motel 6 spokesman has said: “They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for.” That sounds right to me too. Something to hope for keeps popping up so I decided to share a few things that we might not always connect with being hopeful to remind us that the day-to-day things help us keep hope alive and well. My good friend Teresa Cleveland reminds me that gardening is an expression of hope. Planting seeds, hoping for the right about of sunshine and rain and the right temperatures are all required to get to the blooms or the harvest. If you’ve planted something in the past, or are getting ready to, remember that you are embodying what it means to be hopeful. One of my favorite Dolly Parton songs has lyrics that say “I can see the light of the clear blue morning and everything’s going to be alright, it’s going to be okay.” A new sunrise, a new day, the cycle of life reminds us that nothing stays the same – so if things feel dark now and then, remember it won’t’ always be so. Belonging, be part of communities - organizing to solve problems, choosing to pull together – that’s incredibly hopeful to me. When we do that,we are saying individually and as a group, I believe things can be better and if you’re involved it’s also choosing to be part of the solution. Action always boosts our hope. Lots of life experiences remind us that hope helps. Things like surviving chemo and the day comes when you wake up feeling a little bit better, being the new kid in school – I did this a few times and having someone invite your to sit with them at lunch, getting the promotion you’ve worked hard for and even a setback like not winning a big game but knowing you did your best - lots of things remind us that today can be better than yesterday and tomorrow can be better than today. I hope you’ll find a few of your own version of “something to hope for” - here’s to a great day and an even better tomorrow.

Empathy—our ability to understand and share the feelings of others—serves as a profound bridge between human hearts. It allows us to step outside ourselves and truly see the world through another's eyes. But there's another dimension to empathy that's often overlooked: its intimate relationship with hope. When we practice empathy, we don't just connect with another person's pain or joy; we create the possibility for transformation. This connection forms the foundation for genuine hope—not wishful thinking, but a grounded belief that things can improve through our shared humanity. How Empathy Cultivates Hope True empathy involves more than sympathy. When we empathize, we: 1. Acknowledge another's reality without judgment 2. Create space for authentic expression 3. Recognize our fundamental interconnectedness

When life feels overwhelming, especially when confronted with deeply troubling events or information that seems beyond our control, it's important to find constructive ways to respond while taking care of your own wellbeing. Start with self-care Verify information Constructive action Find community Maintain perspective Remember that even when facing serious challenges, small positive actions matter. Throughout history, positive change has often started with individuals taking modest but meaningful steps in their own communities.

The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact Reading the Power of Moments by Chip and Dan Heath has me thinking about how to stretch for insight. They explain in the book that sometimes the most powerful moments are what also provide us with the unvarnished insight into ourselves. While I'd like to think I'm self-aware, we all have blind spots and areas where we can't really see ourselves objectively. Think of a moment when you got a personal AHA. Maybe it was when you realized who you wanted to spend your life with. Did it happen in a flash? Maybe it was when you were in college and a class or experience helped you see what you really wanted to do with your life. Insightful moments can also be when we get a scary diagnosis and we realize that we can't spend one more year working 12 hour days to make someone else's dream come true, or maybe you talk to a friend who is dealing with a loss and you know in that moment that you want to be intentional about the time you spend with the people you love.

Would it be nice to have perfect days where everything goes as planned, you're in flow and the effortless achievement yields an impact that's helpful, honorable and kind? A few years ago I attended a seminar with Donald Miller the developer of the Storybrand method and book, along with the book Hero on a Mission among others. Hero on a Mission One of the things that stuck with me beyond the marketing info was the idea of planning for your ideal day, the perfect solution, the best version of your work and yourself. But he didn't stop there. Plan for perfect, while also understanding that it's rarely possible. What's the point? Well, for one, not settling for what we "think" is possible but what we WANT to be possible. For many of us, that's a new way of thinking. We've been taught to be "reasonable" and many of us were taught that wanting "too much" was selfish at best and greedy and sinful at worst. We've all heard the platitude hope for the best, plan for the worst and it feels like a common sense approach and I'm sure it's meant that way but I think plan for perfect, hope for the absolute best and be prepared to adapt as needed works much better. #affiliatelink

It’s been one of those days. Sometimes it feels like whiplash. Something happens and throws me off. In my personal and professional life things are going well. I’m fortunate to own a small business that I enjoy working in and working on. I love my clients and I get to do fun things like this podcast. Personally I am also fortunate. I am married to my best friend and the best husband ever .Kelvin and we work together, pretty well actually, and we are both dealing with the aches that come with getting older (my knee is killing me) but we’re okay. Better than okay. We’re good. And still, I can’t watch the news, I curate the alerts I get to keep from spiraling into rage posting or panicking and saying things like “we should sell the house and move while we still can” and checking to see what condos cost. It reminds me how resilient we really are. Difficulties and hard times are unfortunately going to happen – hopefully not often and hopefully not too severe but none of us avoid challenges in our life. That’s why hope matters so much. It’s the tether that pulls us forward, that reminds us that things can improve. Tomorrow isn’t already written and what we do today matters. If you’re in a good place, I’m happy for you and if you’re having challenges, I so sorry things aren’t going better and to everyone I’m sending hope for a great today and an even better tomorrow.

3 Things You Can Do to Foster Hope for Yourself Hey there! I've been thinking about hope lately and how important it is for our wellbeing. When things get tough, having hope can be that little spark that keeps us going. We know that taking action is one of the best ways to keep hope alive so today I have three simple things you can do to foster hope for yourself when you're feeling a bit lost:

Living where we have 4 distinct seasons has always been good for me. I like that things change. It marks the passing of time but it also brings appreciation and hope for the season passing and the new opportunities ahead. I recently went to an event in an area of town I haven’t been to in a bit and on the way there I saw all these signals of spring. Trees are in bloom, there were daffodils and tulips blooming and all of that has happened in just the last week or so. It feels like overnight we’ve moved from winter to spring. That got me thinking about seasons of hope and what they could look and feel like.

Let it be easy. That's become a mantra for me lately. In my work and in my life. When I say easy, I don't mean without effort, but I do mean without struggle. I don't intend to do things the hard way but it can sometimes feel like it. How often do we set up intentional hurdles? More than you might think. Hurdles give us the psychological comfort of feeling like we're committed to change while actually protecting us from the discomfort of real transformation. What if we let it be easy? You can decide to do the one thing that moves you forward. I hope you'll give yourself permission to do the easy thing today.

Surround yourself with people who make your heart smile. Lewis Carroll This was advice given to Alice in wonderland but turns out it's good advice for staying hopeful as well. Membership matters. We know that we're wired to be social, to live in tribes or now what we'd call families, genetic and chosen. In the US we're taught that rugged individualism is valued above collaboration and cooperation, but it real life, going it alone is not the best recipe for success or happiness. I have a ton of evidence and I’m sure you do to. Can you look back on and see when you’ve had the support and encouragement of family and friends? I’ve also benefitted from the support from a teacher and in my sales career I had professional mentors that helped me. I've been able to accomplish more than I would have done on my own. I’m not talking about dependency on others – I am talking about having some support. Think of it as a scaffold that helps you stay upright and capable of reaching for more. Today we see all sorts of evidence that being lonely, not having people to turn to is not just sad, it's detrimental to our well-being. Who makes your heart smile?

In this special guest-hosted episode, Nancy Sheed steps in to reflect on how hope is emerging as a powerful force in leadership, media, and everyday life. Drawing on recent conversations, events, and a Gallup poll showing hope as the most valued leadership trait, Nancy explores how hope isn’t just a feeling it’s a choice, a practice, and a form of resistance. Along with her personal insights, Nancy invites you to consider how you’re cultivating and spreading hope in your own world. Connect with Nancy: Website LinkedIn

Choosing Hope In the face of uncertainty, choosing hope is a powerful act of courage. It's not about blind optimism or denying life's challenges. Rather, it's a deliberate stance—a decision to believe that our actions matter and that better possibilities exist. Hope is the quiet voice that whispers "try again" when everything seems lost. It's what pulls us forward when the path ahead is shrouded in fog. Unlike wishful thinking, true hope combines vision with action, dreams with determination. The practice of choosing hope begins with small moments: noticing beauty amid chaos, extending kindness when it's easier to retreat, or taking one step forward when standing still feels safer. These choices compound over time, shaping not just our individual experiences but our collective future. In a world that often emphasizes what divides us, choosing hope is a radical act of connection—to ourselves, to each other, and to a future worth creating together.

We've all heard the maxim, get comfortable being uncomfortable. That bit of advice is usually given when we're facing something we don't want to do, or haven't ever done before or something we wish we could avoid completely. It's essentially saying - get over your fear and do it anyway. Sound familiar? I get that it's meant to be encouraging but who wants to be uncomfortable? None of us do, especially if we have a choice. I like what author Terri Trespecio says about comfort zones - The goal isn't to get OUT of your comfort zone, the goal is to expand it. Growth is the goal, not more discomfort. As a resource it is a game-changer in helping us expand our comfort zones. Hear how hope functions as a spark for growth.

Creating this podcast has helped me become a more confident writer and content creator. For a long time, I waited for those magical days when I felt confident and self-assured to sit down and create. That's when I'd really dive in allowing the ideas to bubble up. I wanted to be able to sit down and write or record or create content (or create art too for that matter) no matter how confident I felt, or didn't feel. committing to publish the Daily Dose of Hope podcast every M-F meant I'd have to do this on a pretty regular basis, whether I was feeling confident and creative or not. Now that I'm 50+ episodes in, here's what I've learned: Committing to doing this feels good and the fact that I kept this promise to myself has made me even more confident in my ability to keep going - not less. Confidence didn't make writing and recording possible, writing and recording made confidence possible.

Let's talk about something pretty amazing: how being kind can totally transform hope in our lives. I know, I know—it might sound a bit cheesy at first, but stick with me here. Imagine kindness as this secret superpower we all carry around. It's not about grand, movie-hero moments, but those small, genuine connections that can totally change someone's day (and maybe even their entire outlook on life). Think about the last time someone was unexpectedly kind to you. Remember that warm, fuzzy feeling? That's hope right there—pure and simple. It's like a tiny spark that says, "Hey, the world isn't such a bad place after all." Here's the cool science-y part: when we're kind, our brains basically throw a little celebration. We release these awesome hormones that make us feel good, reduce stress, and make hope feel totally real. It's like our body's way of saying, "Yes! This human connection thing? It's pretty awesome!"

Our ability to recognize patterns is more than just a cognitive skill—it's a source of hope that helps us get through challenging moments. We are wired to seek meaning, to connect dots, and to find order within chaos, and it’s this capacity that also serves as a source of hope and optimism. Pattern recognition is deeply embedded in our survival capacity. Our ancestors who could predict animal migrations, weather changes, and seasonal shifts were most likely to survive. This same instinct now gives us the ability to see hope where others might see only randomness. We look for recurring themes in our experiences, searching for predictability and potential positive outcomes even in seemingly unpredictable situations. Consider how hope itself is a form of pattern recognition. When we face difficulties, we don't just see isolated incidents but part of a bigger picture. We recognize that challenges have come before times when things go our way. That gives us a mental template and a reminder that our current struggles are temporary. This isn't mere wishful thinking—it's a cognitive process of contextualizing our experiences.

Hope provides a sense of optimism and a belief in a better future, which can be a powerful source of strength, especially during difficult times or when things are less than perfect. Hope isn't just an emotion—it's a form of energy that powers us through impossible landscapes. Unlike optimism, which often depends on favorable conditions, hope is the persistent current that flows even when the present evidence suggests things aren’t going our way. This energy has a unique signature. While fear contracts us and despair depletes us, hope expands our capacity. It fuels us to take action, sometimes doing things we wouldn’t have previously felt possible.

The mathematics of influence isn't linear, when that unknown first responder ran toward danger rather than away, they couldn't possibly have calculated how far their actions would resonate, They just did what they knew to do to help. This isn't about heroics or fame. Most world-changing actions never make headlines. They're quiet choices made at kitchen tables, in classrooms, at community meetings. It's ordinary people making extraordinary decisions to stand, speak, act, or simply show up differently. The difference one person makes isn't measured by immediate outcomes, but by how their actions shift what others believe is possible or permissible. That's the true miracle of individual impact; it never remains individual for long. What you do, what I do, matters. That’s how we create hope and create better tomorrow’s.

In life's darkest corners, rituals of hope flicker like steady lanterns. These aren't grand ceremonies, but rather small, intentional acts we perform to keep faith alive when circumstances tempt us toward despair. Hope rituals anchor us to possibility. The journal entry that begins "When this passes..." The empty chair kept at the table during separation. The workspace maintained during illness. These quiet ceremonies aren't denial—they're brave declarations that the story isn't finished. Rituals don’t guarantee outcomes, but they do remind us that we have the capacity to envision them. In this way, the simple act of watering a plant, saving a seat, or lighting a candle becomes a statement: darkness, sadness or disappointment does not get the final word.

We know that humans are hard wired for connection. When those around us struggle to find hope, our presence and actions can make a profound difference. Here are four meaningful ways to share hope with others:

There are times when hope seems to slip through our fingers – it feels elusive and out of reach. We want to hold onto something bright, only to find ourselves wondering why it’s so hard. We all have days when things don’t go well, or when we feel out of sorts. It can feel like our thoughts are foggy and it’s hard to focus on anything for more than a few minutes. We feel like the path forward is out of reach if not completely out of sight. When our usual sources of strength and hopefulness eludes us and the very idea of tomorrow feeling different seems impossible. Even in those moments though, I often find myself noticing a sense of rebellion, not giving in and not allowing hopelessness to take over.

Hope is more than just a pleasant feeling—it's a powerful force that fuels our creative potential. When we maintain hope, we open ourselves to possibilities that might otherwise remain hidden, allowing us to envision and create beyond our perceived limitations. The relationship between hope and creativity runs deep. Hope provides the emotional foundation needed for creative thinking to flourish. It creates a psychological space where we feel safe to explore, experiment, and take risks without being overwhelmed by fear of failure. Hear how creativity and hope work together to help us stay resourceful, make better decisions with less stress and anxiety.

Today I want to reflect a bit. I started this 8 weeks ago and have shared a post M-F since then about hope and hopefulness and how it can help us in moments big and small in our lives. Since then, many have reached out to let me know that you've found this encouraging and I really appreciate the feedback and the encouragement. Thanks for letting me know and for your suggestions. A few questions about why I'm doing this have come up so today I want to answer a couple of those - in the hopes that you find it helpful and to also encourage you as well. Why hope? Why a podcast?

Today I’m diving into something we all experience: the struggle between hope and fear. These two forces shape our decisions, our outlook, and ultimately, our lives. The Nature of Fear Fear is hardwired into us. It's that voice that whispers "what if everything goes wrong?" It's the weight in your chest when facing uncertainty. Fear served our ancestors well—it kept them alive in dangerous environments. But in today's world, fear often holds us back more than it protects us. Fear narrows our vision. It creates tunnel vision where we can only see potential threats and disasters. It paralyzes us, keeping us stuck in uncomfortable but familiar situations rather than risking the unknown. The Power of Hope Hope, on the other hand, expands our vision. It's not blind optimism or wishful thinking—it's a profound belief that things can get better through our actions and perseverance. Hope gives us the courage to take that first step into uncertainty. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope." This captures the essence of hope's resilience. How do we get from fear to hope explained in this episode

Hope is more than just a positive emotion or an optimistic feeling. It’s also a powerful psychological resource that impacts our physical and mental health as well. Research tells us that a hopeful outlook can lead to health benefits. We know that hopefulness involves having goals, finding pathways to achieve those goals, and maintaining the motivation and inspiration to to pursue them, even when faced with obstacles. This mindset creates positive effects for our mind and bodies too.

Hope is one of the foundations of our world And what’s even better is that hope isn’t just something we can have, it’s also something that we can give. Hear the 5 Stages of Hope and how they can help you recognize how you can cultivate and nurture hope.

Hope and curiosity share a special connection. Both look at the unknown with a sense of anticipation rather than fear. While hope helps us envision a better future, curiosity helps us check out the pathways that might lead us there. Curiosity keeps hope honest. It asks the essential questions: How might this work? What haven't we considered? Where else might we look? Who knows more about this than me? Do I know someone who can help? Without a curios approach hope can become wishfulness that doesn't feel legit. But when paired with genuine curiosity with hope then new ideas feel grounded and real possibilities instead of just wishing or wondering what if?

Hope and creativity share a profound connection because they both require us to imagine what doesn't yet exist. When we create, we bring something new into the world; when we hope, we envision a future different from today. Creativity gives hope its form and substance. Through art, innovation, and problem-solving, we take things that can feel abstract and make them tangible. The painter captures the light on single flower, the write brings a loveable character to life, the entrepreneur designs new solutions to problems bringing their own perspective to the solution, the community organizer arranges resources in new ways to serve unmet needs. In the same way - hope fuels creativity. It provides the emotional resilience to persist through failed drafts, rejected proposals, and uncertain outcomes. Hope whispers "try again" when conventional wisdom suggests giving up.

Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. Anne Lamott When our world seems full of challenges and uncertainty, hope can feel like something that once ran smoothly but has mysteriously crashed. Because hope isn't simply optimism or wishful thinking; it's the engine that powers meaningful change and resilience. Like restarting a computer, we sometimes need to pause, clear our mental cache, and intentionally choose to begin again. Rebooting hope begins with small, deliberate actions.

Hope begins as a small spark within us - it's a belief that better days are possible. There's also an energy surrounding hope that extends beyond ourselves. I have always considered hope as a solitary mission - something that's personal and up to me to choose and to nurture. That still feels right to me but I've also seen the effects of hope - and its impact extends far beyond its origin.

"We choose hope over fear. We see the future not as something out of our control, but as something we can shape for the better through concerted and collective effort. Those words were part of a speech given by President Obama at the UN general assembly in 2014. He went on to talk about how there are a number of things in the world that make us worry if we are safe, and if we can pull together to affect change. What really hit me as I read the entire speech was how we seem to be in the same place, worried about many of the same things. Lots has changed since 2014 to be sure, and the players may not be the same, but it's worth remembering that we've gotten through difficult times before which gives us evidence that we can do so again.

Here in Ohio, it's still cold but the days are longer and we've seen the sun a bit lately so it feels safe to think of spring. My good friend Teresa is an amazing gardener. It's one of her passions. She plans her vegetable and flower gardens and every year take joy in tending to and then harvesting and enjoying what she's grown. But it starts with planting seeds. That's a hopeful act -isn't it? Planting seeds, giving them water and sunlight and hoping they grow - is a blend of knowing what to do - and Teresa does - and ALLOWING the rest to happen. That part is important too - the allowing. You can't rush it - you can't force things to bloom before they are ready. Patience + knowledge + hope = growth, seedlings that bring their own version of hope for what's to come. Planting Seeds: A Quiet Act of Hope