How to Keep a Sense of Hope with all the Changes Happening in our World

With so much deconstruction going on in our world, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about how to stay hopeful and calm. The world desperately needs our light, not our darkness, right now. How do we hang on to our light in the midst of so much death and destruction?

I believe it calls for us to live even more from our hearts. While that may be hard and painful, it is important; we acknowledge feelings and allow ourselves to feel them in order to transform them.

This requires openness – staying open in our minds, being open to our thoughts, and, examining our behavior in how we are showing up. We need to make the choice to hold the intention of maintaining a place of peace and love. This helps us sustain a position of equanimity. Equanimity is defined as mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in difficult situations. This is what we are being asked to develop and cultivate in ourselves as we navigate such horrific change at a very fast pace.

What will help you stay connected to your heart verses your head?
What will support you in staying open and not shut down?
How can you cultivate peace inside yourself?
What practices help you?
Last, but not least, what will help you create a way of being that experiences equanimity?

All important questions to ponder.

I invite you to use the acronym of H.O.P.E. as your foundation. Create an action for each letter and then begin implementing and sharing with others your strategy. Be sure to pay forward your process to support yourself in spreading peace and equanimity.

H – Heart: Make a habit to put your hands on your heart when overthinking; breathe into your heart when you feel stuck in your thinking. Remember – where you put your attention grows.

O – Openness: Stay present to your posture and how your body feels, what does it need? Perhaps the physical act of stretching may help you feel more open. Incorporate this movement throughout your day.

P – Peace: Pause throughout your day to allow yourself to just BE and not DO. It is okay to stop and rest.

E – Equanimity: Using your breath and positive statements, remind yourself to stay calm in difficult situations, and remember that your presence has an impact on yourself and others. The calmer you are, the more it can help others do the same.

My hope is that we all put attention on leveling up our ability to hold hope and experience equanimity; the world needs us to do so. We are being called to develop this capacity for ourselves, our families, and for the sustainability of our world.