Finding Hope

Hope is a concept often misunderstood. Instead of it meaning simply focusing on the positive or perceive the world through “rose-colored glasses”, hope is a practice that focuses on opening up to all the possibilities that may occur and trusting ourselves to be able to recognize the opportunities that arise.
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Transcript

You can close your eyes or soften your gaze and begin to take a few deep breaths. As your breath deepens, Sensing if it's possible to let go of any tension in your face or shoulders. Relaxing your back, Letting your belly hang. Allowing your arms and hands to rest comfortably on your lap or at your sides. Taking a moment to focus on your breathing. Breathing in a sense of calm, A sense of hope, A sense of trust. Breathing out anxiety, Insecurity, Doubt. Breathing in a sense of calm, Trust, Hope. Breathing out angst, Worry. Continue to breathe, Letting the natural rhythm of your breath take over. Letting the breath slowly fade to the background. As you recall your experiences of the past few days, Few months, Or for a few years, We have all been through hardships, Devastating losses, And we are all still here, Still making choices that help others, That help ourselves, That help the world. Taking a moment to notice a specific hardship, A specific challenge that you've recently endured. You don't have to connect with this pain as if it's happening right now, But more as if you're watching a movie playing out in front of you. Realizing how you initially felt when you heard the news or entered this challenging situation. Was there some initial sense of doom or life ending? Was there anger or blame? Is it possible to hold these emotions and any associated sensations gently as you watch this painful experience unfold? Allowing yourself to cradle them as if you would a new baby or a fragile leaf in your hands. Offering a intention of compassion for holding this pain, For being present with the discomfort and the uncertainty. Connecting your attention ever so slightly to noticing any moments of strength within yourself in response to this challenge. What within you allowed you to persevere into the next day? Was there something within you that helped you realize this was not the end? That allowed you to not simply shut out the rest of the world and shut down, But allowed you to wake up and do something in spite of the pain? This something within you could be love, Could be strength. Maybe it was a connection with others or a recognition of getting through hard times in the past. Maybe it was others' commitment to the cause or just a trust in yourself, In others, Or in the universe. This something within you is always a part of you, This experience, This ability to overcome. Surviving pain does not, In fact, Make us more fragile, More intolerant to fear or loss. Surviving pain holds our feet to the ground and offers us a stability when winds get too rough. We are living in a time of uncertainty and we all have lived in uncertain times before. What qualities do you hold on to and want to practice now that can help ingrain a sense of hope for yourself, A sense of hope for the world or for your future? Can you name these qualities, Envision using them, Envision embodying them? How would these qualities help you let go of doubt and overcome or persevere or simply wake up and do dishes from the day before? Is it possible to trust that these qualities are already within you? Is it possible to trust that these qualities will take over when you need them most? Allow yourself to take a few more deep breaths as you come back to your body sitting here, Coming back to your breath, Setting an intention to take any part of this practice with you as you go on throughout your day and allowing a sense of gratitude to yourself for giving you this time and this space to connect with what's true. Taking a few more deep breaths in and out. Feel free to move your body as you come back into this moment. And when you're ready, Opening up your eyes.