A little bit of hope goes a long way

byGail-UK

3.1K followers

Updated 6 years ago

In my life, I have found that there are usually 2 ways to approach any situation:

With FEAR or with HOPE.

You may not be able to always control the situations you find yourself in. In fact, it's almost a sure thing that you won't be able to control everything surrounding a given situation; but it's also a sure fact that you can control the way you think about, and that will determine how you approach the situation, and ultimately, the outcome.

It all starts with your thoughts.

I have been practicing the skill of observing and controlling my thoughts for a while now and I can honestly say that when I approach a situation from a place of hope, it always turns out better than if I approach it from a place of fear.

So whatever you are facing today, try looking at the situation through the eyes of HOPE. Stop any negative thoughts in their tracks and train yourself into a better, more optimistic view.

If you find it difficult to change your thoughts from a place of fear to a place of hope about a particular situation, then do one of the following:

• Take a step back and think more generally about the situation rather than pouring over the details - for example, if you are worried about a particular money situation, try not to think about the nitty gritty of how you are going to manage or cope or pay this bill or that bill, because that way of thinking is likely to lead you into a spiral of fear and feelings of hopelessness. Instead, try to look more generally and optimistically about the wellbeing that is surrounding you - your health, or your friends, or your family. Turn your thoughts to trusting that the future will be better than today, that there will always be more abundance flowing to you, as long as you don't block it by thinking negatively.

• Remind yourself that whatever you have done in the past, is just that - in the past, and that you are making a commitment TODAY to have a better future. That will mean that each day will carry you further away from the situation in the past, and close to your brighter future. With this thought in mind, it is easier to get through the tasks of the day, knowing that everything you do is leading you to a better place.

• See what you can learn from your cat; they don't worry, they don't work, they don't fret about the past or spend time anxiously looking into the future; they just trust that it will all work out, and most of the time, it does.

I'm not talking about wearing rose-tinted spectacles to gloss over the details of your life here, but just looking at things with hope and optimism instead of fear and despair.

When my mum got cancer, I remembered some advice I had been given once from a wise teacher and said to her "Mum, you've got cancer, that's a fact. But you can face it with hope or with fear. And the outcome will depend on your choice."

I'm delighted to report that she chose to face it with hope, and 10 years later, she's still around, totally cured and much fitter and healthier than she ever was before too.

So why not try looking at the world through the eyes of HOPE today? After all, the only thing you have to lose are your worries! :)

Have a wonderful day everyone. Because the sun will come up tomorrow just as it has today, and just as it does everyday, whether you can see it or not - it's always there, waiting to be discovered.

Gail