We are all tired of putting up with what is happening Out There, from covid to climate change to political bullshit. We are worn out, and it’s just too hard to keep up a good front. It seems like nothing we do will help, and our last nerve is frayed.
It is easy to imagine doomsday scenarios because we know the Life truth that everything eventually comes to an end, so our imaginations don’t have to make much of a leap to The Worst. But just because doom is easier to picture than good fortune doesn’t mean we can’t hold out for the better side to come out ahead.
That’s where Radical Hope comes in. We need to shake ourselves loose from the enervating clutch of social media, news, even our doomsaying friends and neighbors (and we are all doomsayers at some point because staying uplifted and positive at all times is practically impossible).
When you notice yourself ankle deep in the slough of despair, use your final spurt of survival energy and reach out. Grab your courage, take the hand of another who is feeling some uplift energy, and give yourself and this world the benefit of Grace.
In other words, believe in the impossible. Because when it comes down to it, nobody really knows the end of this story, so we may as well make up a good one.
How to believe in the impossible? I haven’t quite figured that part out yet but here are some things to consider, to start you on your way.
Ink in an hour, or a day, to do something that helps keep you sane and healthy. Massage, yoga, meditation, run, read…. Whatever floats your boat in this perilous storm.
Create a weekly family or social practice. Think dinner, game night, or other activity; either within your household or with friends. Keep to it as a ceremonious, not-to-be-messed-with appointment, like the way your grandma used to attend Sunday church service.
If you have the funds, find a way to take a yearly deep reset. Heading to a tropical location and being intentional about resting or taking part in adventures (without over-imbibing alcohol the whole time) would be great; but for most of us, maybe rent a shore house or mountain cabin for a weekend. You’ll probably have to cook and clean which ruins the vibe a little, but still, being away from the usual grind and people and media will be beneficial.
Find a way to get off the “just surviving” wheel and start to thrive again. Stop answering “How are you?” with “well, at least I got out of bed this morning.” That is a sorry and may I say irritating habit that brings everyone down! Maybe it’s cute from a 105-year-old, but not from your healthy but gloomy spouse or friend.
Give yourself grace, and know that every down, sad, or even despairing moment that is followed by an upswing is another building block to your own resilience. Swing yourself up, whatever it takes, and let’s step forward feeling stronger, happier, and more hopeful than we now think is possible.
