Hope

[Lady of Longbourn]

Hope:

"...is the state which promotes the desire of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one's life or in the world at large."
"...to cherish a desire with anticipation."

Usually winter and fall is my depression time. But it doesn't seem to be happening as much as the years before. Instead I feel I am moving forward, making progress.

And feeling hope!

My therapist and I had been having an email discussion back and forth a few times in the last few days. At one point he said: "Good job. Keep it up. You are figuring things out." and I realized the progress I was making. That is how I do things; I have to solve them, I have to work through them. It just seems to be my way. My therapist guides but I lead and I seem to actually being doing something right.

Alfred Adler said: “We cannot think, feel, will, or act without the perception of a goal."

Does anyone else feel hope? I can't say I have ever experienced it like this before. It was like I barely knew what hope was. And I am deeply afraid it will leave me.

How do you feel hope? Where do you feel hope; is there a place? What makes you feel hopeful?

 

[Powder]

For me, hope is the promise of love. Seeds of hope come in many forms for people.

My students wrote a paper called Seeds of Hope in the Darkness. Many of them reported going through a darkness in life and finding hope through someone or a moment of hope. Usually, someone shows them compassion and help as they work toward becoming a better person, the person they know they can become.

I have heard it is necessary in life to see God in other people. I didn't learn that until I got away from my dysfunctional and abusive family.

Hope is also giving meaning to our suffering, placing it behind us as a tool for growth into who we are becoming.

I love this topic! I agree that it is important.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

I thought of optimism when starting this thread as well but there is a difference between the two:

"The difference between hope and optimism: hope entails pathways and thoughts to an intended goal. Optimism leads one to “expect the best, but it does not necessarily provide any critical thinking about how we are going to arrive at this improved future.""

This is part of hope I deeply believe. Hope is the pathway and the goals. The journey must have hope. There is knowledge in hope.

 

[DMerish]

Late Fall and Winter tend to be difficult, depression wise, also. I live in a northern climate (short days in the winter), which doesn't help. However, I've been feeling a bit more hopeful of late, and have been pondering these things also. I'm glad the topic was started. That in its self has further spurred my interest to figure out what this thing (hope) is, and to get it right in myself. I want to build more hope in myself, and I want it based on current and possible realities, not fantasies.

"...is the state which promotes the desire of positive outcomes related to events and circumstances in one's life or in the world at large." "...to cherish a desire with anticipation."

I agree with the first quote above, but not the second. I think "to cherish a desire with anticipation" may be a very common way to view hope. However, anticipation can be tricky. If I have anticipation or expectation along with hope, and I don't get what I hope for, then typically, I'll become quite disappointed and possibly extend/deepen my depression. So, I'm attempting to "try on" having hope without anticipation or expectation. Logically, my mind says if I'm able to do that, then if the hoped for thing happens I'll be pleasantly surprised/happy. But if the hoped for thing doesn't happen, then I won't be thrown off kilter.

"The difference between hope and optimism: hope entails pathways and thoughts to an intended goal. Optimism leads one to “expect the best, but it does not necessarily provide any critical thinking about how we are going to arrive at this improved future.""

Likewise, with the two quotes above also. "Hope entails pathways and thoughts . . ." Yep, I agree with that one, e.g. some action must be taken. But I don't think optimism necessarily implies expecting the best or that critical thinking can't coincide with optimism. I think optimism can be had along with critical thinking, and when it is then a favorable outcome may be possible - and it could be one that I may not have even hoped for.

Well, that's just me - I don't know if any of it makes sense for anyone else and I certainly want to hear how others will respond to this topic. I'm not fixated on my views - just trying them on for size . . .

Drew

 

[The Albatross]

Without hope I (you) can not start the day (Obscure Yes lyric/song)