We use the word hope often in our day to day conversations: I hope my flight isn’t canceled. I hope my husband remembers to pick up the kids. I hope the pizzas are ready to go. I hope I don’t have a cavity.
Has the word lost its meaning because of how often we use it? According to dictionary.com, the word hope refers to the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.
Hope, in this sense of the word, is important for everyone: the dream (or hope) of something better than what we currently have. It doesn’t mean that you aren’t thankful for what you’ve been given or worked for in your life. It means dreaming of a better future.
Life Coach Brandi Caskey gives this definition of hope: it is what motivates us and keeps us going through the hard times. It’s what keeps us dreaming of something better than what we presently have and helps push us further.
According to Psychology Today, hope is important because life is difficult. Seems too simple an answer, right? Think about it though—life has so many ups and downs, and those downs can be difficult to get through. Having dreams isn’t always enough; life can throw obstacles at you, and if you let those obstacles beat you, your dreams will never come true.
In order to get closer to making your dreams a reality, you have to go through both the positive and negative parts of life. Hope allows you to approach problems with a strategy and mindset aimed at success; it increases the chance that you’ll actually accomplish your goals.
Put simply, hope involves the will to “get there.” When you use the word hope, make sure it’s when you’re talking about hopes and dreams for the future: I hope I get the promotion; it’s such a good fit for me. I hope we get approved for the new home; it’s in an excellent neighborhood for the kids. I hope my husband will be happy at his internship; it’s a great stepping stone into his future.
Sometimes it’s hard to feel hope; maybe you can’t see any reason to believe life can get better, or maybe you don’t feel you deserve it. Whatever the reason, if you find hope seems out of reach, it might help to talk it over with a professional. A good counselor can help you see through the darkness so you can begin to design your brighter future.
If you’d like to set up a time to meet up with Reka, you can contact her by phone at 402-881-8125, by email at reka@omaha-counseling.com, or via Twitter or Facebook.
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photo credit: Fireman with Rainbow via photopin (license)
