As a new year approaches, I linger over memories of the past two years. Good and bad and ugly.

Isolation, fear, rage.

Pandemic.

I am torn between the toxic positivity of some writers and the loathsome depression and anxiety, the futility of others.

It’s been hard for some of us. Hard to stay and feel safe. Hard to make decisions. Hard to weigh risks. Hard to hope.

I don’t have any trite resolutions to offer this new year.

I have some changes I need and want to make in myself, in my family, in my home. I want systemic changes in our society, government, schools.

Hope
Smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
Whispering 'it will be happier'...
~The Foresters by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

I long for God’s kingdom come, here and now. Bring it. May we welcome Him with open arms. May we do the work.

Tikkun olam

The very least you can do in your life is figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.

Barbara Kingsolver, Animal Dreams

What is hope?

Hope is reconciliation.

Hope is freedom and liberty.

Hope is equality and equity.

Hope is justice.

Hope is having faith in something unseen. It might never come to fruition.

Yet, still I hope.

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.
~Emily Dickinson

Hope is gratitude.

Hope is loving even the most unlovable.

Hope is sometimes being the stoic one.

Hope is being the strong one.

Hope is showing vulnerability.

Hope is crying with the sorrowful and smiling with the joyful.

Hope is laying down my pride.

Hope is a hug or a handshake.

Hope is holding hands in silence.

Hope is sometimes not desiring touch.

Hope is a wish on a dandelion fluff.

Hope is another birthday candle.

Hope is having no debts.

Hope is an Amazon wishlist.

Hope can be silence.

Hope can be whispering fuck but then carrying on.

Hope is selfcare.

Hope is forgiving yourself.

Hope is setting goals.

Hope is dreaming of a better way.

Hope is teaching.

Hope is starting another book.

Hope is a child’s smile.

Hope is contagious laughter.

Hope is courtesy.

Hope can be sacrifice…or indulgence.

Hope is trying something new.

Hope is adopting a puppy or kitten.

Hope is courage.

Hope is asking for help.

Hope is offering the help that is wanted or needed. Despite what I think they should do.

Hope is nodding along in compassion for feelings I haven’t experienced.

Hope is a doctor’s visit. Good or bad news.

We must learn to sit in hope even when we don’t know how. Accept not knowing.

Hope offers choices.

How do I continue to hope in crisis?

How do we hope when it seems hopeless?

How can we say we still hope when we cry out in the silent darkness?

Hope can exist alongside rage, fear, desolation.

Hope keeps us awake at night. Sometimes it’s even called anxiety.

Hope gets us up in the morning.

Hope helps us to put dinner on the table each and every night.

Hope says be careful.

Hope is that text, “Did you get there all right?”

Hope is the kiss goodnight even if you’re mad at each other.

Hope is forgiveness.

Hope is remembering.

Hope is the action-anger to make it better.

Hope is radical excessive reckless love.

Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.

Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

May you never give up on hope.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-31

What does hope look like to you?

You might also like:

• Hope in the Dark
• Blue Christmas
• 5 Ways to Cultivate Relationships
• How to Have a Debt-Free Christmas
• Obstacles to Being Frugal During Holidays
• How We Had the Best Christmas Ever
• Do They Know it’s Christmas?

Resources:

• WinterSong
• Unplug the Christmas Machine
• Preparing for Christmas
• Watch for the Light
• Keep Watch with Me

Linking up: Grammy’s Grid, Pinch of Joy, Eclectic Red Barn, House on Silverado, Random Musings, April Harris, Anita Ojeda, Mostly Blogging, Stroll Thru Life, Jenerally Informed, Shelbee on the Edge, LouLou Girls, InstaEncouragements, Thistle Key Lane, OMHG, Ducks in a Row, Anchored Abode, Fluster Buster, Ginger Snap, Note Me Happy, Penny’s Passion, Debbie Kitterman, Artful Mom, Suburbia, Imparting Grace, Ridge Haven Homestead, Slices of Life, Try it Like it, Simply Beautiful, Modern Monticello, Cottage Market, Hubbard Home, Being a Wordsmith, Answer is Choco, Momfessionals, Lauren Sparks, Pieced Pastimes, CWJ, Pam’s Party, Create with Joy,