I have to admit that I've felt a little lost about how to maintain + grow hope in myself + those closest to me lately. The consuming tidal wave of disregard for humanity feels so hopeless, and despair offers nothing to counter that devouring force. Small actions seem almost irrelevant, but even as I think that...I know they have value to the ones who receive them + to me too.
It is true that we, the ones with access to food + clean water + bombless sleep, have a responsibility to hope. In the spirit of Meg McElwee's hope-making bucket list (in her latest email newsletter), I began creating my own. I felt like I owed it to all of us.
Very quickly, I began to think of recent experiences that could be viewed through that same hope stirring lens...ways that I've experienced (known!) hope recently! I mean- exciting! I'm sharing both lists in hopes that the practice can spark more + more lists + imagining + hope.
Things that have stirred hope recently:
My hope stirring to-do list:
Love,
Jane
It is true that we, the ones with access to food + clean water + bombless sleep, have a responsibility to hope. In the spirit of Meg McElwee's hope-making bucket list (in her latest email newsletter), I began creating my own. I felt like I owed it to all of us.
Very quickly, I began to think of recent experiences that could be viewed through that same hope stirring lens...ways that I've experienced (known!) hope recently! I mean- exciting! I'm sharing both lists in hopes that the practice can spark more + more lists + imagining + hope.
Things that have stirred hope recently:
- Going to a Mumford + Sons concert in the pouring rain - a communal experience
- Standing by the glassy Atlantic, listening to the water lap the shore softly - gentle grandeur
- Conversations with people I don't know very well - finding common ground
- Eating Julia's delicious cooking experiments - tasting a blooming interest
- Spotting humming birds in the garden - shifting lawn to a thriving ecosystem
- Attending a sprawling event Jo took part in organizing - witnessing embodied vision
- Cheering for a friend's dream coming true - borrowing joy
- Participating in the heaviness of aging + decline - knowing love
- Dreaming about bringing a new purpose to life - imagining possibility
My hope stirring to-do list:
- Knowing that there is room for love in every situation + proving it
- Eating at our local, Palestinian restaurant
- Leaving stretches of unscheduled, spacious time
- Showing up for my mom + dad in ways that are meaningful to them
- Making a piece of clothing that I'd normally purchase readymade
- Experimenting with ways to decrease my "needs"
- Painting + painting + painting
- Stretching + moving in ways that feel good
- Leading with acceptance in some current circumstances
- Riding my bike with a smile on my face
Love,
Jane
