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Hope. It’s such a loaded word and can mean a number of things.
“I hope to make it in time for my doctor’s appointment.”
“I hope you’re well.”
“I hope to see you soon.”
“Hoping for the best!”
In a way, we overuse the word hope (even just typing the word yet again seems redundant). However, there’s a reason why we should hold onto it more than ever—especially now in the year 2020, and going into 2021.
Think about a bad day you had recently. Maybe your alarm clock went off late. Maybe you got turned down for a job you interviewed for. Or perhaps you received bad news about a family member.
I’m sure the first emotion you felt wasn’t hope, but rather annoyance, sadness, or even anger. You might have struggled to digest whatever bad news or event occurred, but as your day went on, you probably shifted your mindset to cope with the negative event.
Why Should We Have Hope for the Future?
Hope is what can turn a bad day into a not so bad day. It can help us to reframe a sad or difficult situation into a challenge—one where we use positivity to move forward, and hope to motivate ourselves.
Interestingly enough, hope can also help us to make better decisions about our lives.
In a recent study, having hope for the future was found to lead to better life choices, thus protecting us from engaging in risky behaviors.
In a way, hope acts as a buffer against adversity, and when utilized, it can help people to feel happier about their lives, making them less likely to drink, gamble, take drugs, and even over-eat.
Now this might seem like a very specific study that may not seem applicable to you or me. However, I think the findings are quite insightful and even relevant—especially this year.
We’re all aware of the effects of loneliness. Anxiety, depression, and turning to substance abuse are well-known effects of social isolation. And with city and state closures this year along with limited gatherings, loneliness around the world has skyrocketed. It’s all too tempting to think we’re all alone in this, and many of us (myself included) have experienced episodes of anxiety.
When anxiety and/or depression are prolonged however, it becomes more and more tempting to engage in risky behaviors, such as drinking or gambling. In fact, according to this article, alcohol consumption has been steadily rising throughout 2020, particularly for women (up by over forty percent).
These statistics are startling to say the least, but sadly it doesn’t come as a huge shock when considering how tumultuous this year has been.
Things can always take a turn for the worse, but ultimately they will always improve. It may not be immediately, but the pendulum always swings back.
That’s why we should have hope for the future more than ever now, and also why we should make every effort to share our hope with others. As the previously mentioned study found, hope can act as a buffer against adversity, and it can help us to make better life choices—choices that will ultimately make us happier.
I don’t know about you, but I’m always encouraged when I see people together. Even on my worst days, the sight of an expecting couple, or a child with their parent, or even an elderly couple sitting together somehow makes me feel better. It’s a reminder that at any life stage, there is something to look forward to, whether it’s starting a family, seeing your children grow, or simply enjoying companionship with a loved one. When we focus on what matters, like our loved ones, there is always hope.
We’re not alone in this, but it’s up to each of us to remind each other of this.
Thus, in honor of the holiday season, I’d like to share not a cup of cheer, but rather a cup of hope (although cheer is good, too). Hold onto hope, even if it feels like you have nothing else to hold onto. Look for the good things all around you, and have faith in our future, and have faith in each other.
Sending blessings for a wonderful and meaningful holiday season, and New Year.
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