hope
/hōp/

noun
noun: hope; plural noun: hopes

1. a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

When I was younger and raising our family, I used to give my children what I called José’s lessons in life.” These included thoughts like; “believe half of what you read in the paper or see on TV” (this was pre social media,) or “no matter how big you think you are, there’s always somebody bigger.” The most memorable one formed from my early days in sales when I used to listen to corny motivational tapes. I would say, tongue in cheek, in response to the kids saying, as we all often say, “I hope (add your outcome”.) I would respond with “hope is for losers, winners make it happen!” As you could imagine that was met with violent, discourteous disdain. “you’re the loser dad!”

There’s nothing like a life changing event to introduce the concept of hope, to reach out and grasp for it, yet I can’t connect with it as it is. I am quite sure God did not give me cancer no more than God gave me blessings. Hope comes from how we address either scenario if and when they are bestowed on us.

For me I study the odds, I research the possibilities, I take a risk, I stay healthy, I feed my spiritual side, I exercise every day, I eat well, and I share what I can. Then with awareness I weight the risks and then act. This is how I conceptualize hope leaving more of it to design than expectation, actions rather than feelings.

By addressing the two scenarios above with empathy, humility, grace, kindness and sharing, hope stands a chance, we “fill the tank” so to speak. We add to the possibility that the hope each and every one of us is seeking stands a chance, we don’t leave it to chance. It’s hard work on our part, are you contributing?

What does hope mean to you?