“Hope” is like “Why”.
Jenion’s Blog, “Don’t Ask Me Why”, really stuck with me – How we use words to either ropel ourselves forward or hold ourselves back.
Her take was that “Why” – that annoying three year old habit of asking – is too often used to be an excuse for perceived injustices or not doing something. We revert to “three-year-oldism” as adults: “Why me?” “Why did this have to happen?”
Then, after Sunday’s service and sermon connecting Hope with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I looked at “Hope.”
“Hope” as defined is “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.” Synonyms include Wish, Desire, Aspiration, Expectation, Goal, Aim, Plan. I listed these is ascending order of “just sittin’ complainin'” to “I can do this.”
The above words are compatible with the archaic definition – “A feeling of Trust.” Do we trust in ourselves enough to step out of complacency? Do we trust that available systems exist to help us along?
As the Reverend Jeff Briere pointed out, we put our keys in the same place so we know where they are. We put our glasses in the same place so we can get them easily and can use them. We store our phone numbers on our cell phones so we can quickly access them. Where do we put “Hope”?
His advice is to put “Hope” somewhere so you can find it easily. Wear it. Keep it clean. Nurture it.
We know that Hope is critical to survival and thriving. Elie Wiesel writes and speaks powerfully of Hope, the importance of Memory, and the human condition.
Yet, it seems a somewhat elusive quality. Without it, sinking into numbed sameness is easy. Deer Hunting With Jesus by Joe Bageant examines the hopeless conundrum of the working class folks who have been stiffed by the establishment. The working and middle income members of society who are our backbone, feel they are “making it OK” when in reality, they are sinking further behind – economically and in opportunity to improve.
Things can seem confusing and hopeless. What to do?
First, ask “Why?” Not in the whining tone of hopelessness. Keep asking “Why?” until you reach the root of your question..
Second find Hope – even if it is just a fragment. Then, Clean it off. Wear it. Keep it clean. Put it where you can easily find it. Build on it. Celebrate it. Share it.
Send Winding Pathways about how you cultivate Hope. What inspires you? Where do you keep Hope so you can easily find it? What image of Hope captures your imagination?
We’ve chosen for the featured image a double rainbow over Lake Okoboji, Iowa. These words from Genesis 9:13 of the New International Version of the Bible. “I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.” Hope.
