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Phoenix Rising

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty”  Winston S. Churchill

How can hope help you through challenging times? Hope is the quality that fuels determination and discipline. A foundational character skill allowing us to aim energy or effort towards what we want. Hope, a spiritual skill, connects us to our deepest desires. Without hope the body would not release the dopamine necessary to induce the motivation to pursue. Hope envelops every aspect of our lives. Yet, it remains an unsung hero in many hearts. 

Hope comes in two forms. Micro Hope and macro hope. Micro hope involves every step we take while macro hope involves times of great challenge and despair. Micro hope served me throughout my life. As a young athlete, I hoped to improve each day. This desire fueled countless nights of shooting basketballs under the streetlights at home. As a student, micro hope allowed me to remain engaged as I persisted through numerous challenges to become an x-ray tech and eventually a physician assistant. 

Macro hope, on the other hand, was reserved for moments of crisis. I recall when my wife at time had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We had been married for a month or two when she began experiencing symptoms. It was not for another 9 months that we would receive the diagnosis. My hope then was that she would live. A definite macro hope come true. She survived and we would later have two amazing sons also the product of macro hope that we would be able to conceive them after chemotherapy and radiation. 

Hope is not to be confused with dreams. Hopes and dreams, while closely related, differ in their nature and focus. Hopes are often more immediate and attainable desires rooted in realistic expectations, reflecting our wishes for positive outcomes in the near future. They are grounded in the present and influenced by our current circumstances. Dreams, on the other hand, are long-term aspirations that embody our deepest ambitions and visions for the future, often involving significant achievements or life changes. 

In challenging times, hope guides us through the darkest moments. It gives us the strength to endure and the will to overcome obstacles that seem insurmountable. Hope is the belief that better days lie ahead. Hope is also closely related to dopamine, the neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in reward and motivation. When we are hopeful, our brain releases dopamine, which enhances our mood and drives us to take action toward our goals. This biochemical response not only uplifts our spirits but also empowers us to persist, adapt, and ultimately transform our circumstances, turning our aspirations into reality.

Now how is it that anyone loses hope? Hope appears to be one the most critical spiritual skills to possess. Today many people turn to artificial sources of dopamine, often referred to as “fake dopamine activities,” to temporarily boost their mood and motivation. These activities include social media scrolling, binge-watching TV shows, excessive gaming, and even substance abuse. While these activities provide an immediate sense of pleasure and satisfaction, they can lead to a dependency that ultimately diminishes genuine motivation and hope. Relying on these quick fixes can disrupt the natural dopamine cycle, making it harder to find joy and fulfillment in the long term meaningful pursuits. Rendering us with a failure to launch.

Without hope, we lose our ability to envision a positive future, which is essential for setting and achieving meaningful goals. Hope acts as a catalyst for resilience, enabling us to bounce back from setbacks and maintain our pursuit of long-term objectives. In times of crisis, the absence of hope can lead to despair and inaction, trapping us in a cycle of negativity and preventing us from making progress. Conversely, when hope is present, it provides a steady stream of motivation that keeps us moving forward, even in the face of adversity.

Hope also plays a critical role in our mental and physical health. Studies have shown that hopeful individuals tend to experience lower levels of stress and anxiety, better immune function, and overall improved well-being. This is because hope instills a sense of purpose and direction, which can buffer against the negative effects of stress. By focusing on hopeful outcomes, we can maintain a more positive outlook, which in turn promotes healthier behaviors and a more balanced lifestyle.

Moreover, hope fosters a sense of community and connection. When we are hopeful, we are more likely to reach out to others for support and collaboration. This interconnectedness strengthens our social bonds and creates a network of encouragement and shared optimism. In challenging times, the collective hope of a community can amplify individual efforts, creating a powerful force for positive change and resilience.

In essence, hope is the foundation of perseverance and progress. It is the light that guides us through the tunnel of difficulty, illuminating the path toward our goals. By nurturing hope, we empower ourselves to dream bigger, strive harder, and ultimately achieve more. Whether in moments of micro hope, as we take small steps toward daily improvements, or in times of macro hope, as we navigate life’s major crises, hope remains an indispensable tool for achieving our fullest potential. Let us recognize and enhance this vital spiritual skill, allowing it to propel us forward in our journey toward a brighter, more fulfilling future.

Alex
July 29, 2024
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