Living Out Your Hope

It's Got to be More than Fingers-Crossed Wishing

Hello Friend! I have a brand new single releasing next Friday, March 1st. It’s called “Something Good” and it’s a beautiful (if I do say so myself) piano-based love song. I hope you get a chance to listen to it and subsequently, love it. Check out a brief preview here…

This week’s thoughts…

I would hate to be considered “the hope guy” if it only meant you viewed me as some kind of eternal optimist.

Let me explain: I’m very well aware that life is really, really hard. Like, seriously…can some of us just get a little break? And I can’t even fathom the incredibly difficult things some of are you going through right now. I wish life was different in this regard.

I don’t want to ever glibly say things like, “Things will get better” or “Hang in there, the sun is only hiding behind the clouds.” I apologize, because I know for a fact I’ve said these things…and maybe phrases even more trite.

The reality of life is that sometimes the clouds never lift. That’s why I can’t say my hope is always focused on the prospect of future good happening.

So how are we to hope?

I’m thinking about my own struggles as of late. But I’m also thinking about multiple conversations I’ve had lately with people really struggling in different ways. I’ve always hated the glib phrases we throw around to appease each other when going through difficult times. Even saying, “Sending thoughts and prayers” can feel particularly hollow to someone dealing with tragedy. Sometimes the best response is to just listen. Or cry with them.

My response is usually, “I’m so sorry…that sounds really horrible.” But where hope comes in, is in what I try to say next:

“What can I do to help?”

I can’t tell anyone that their situation is going to improve. I sure hope it does. But in the waiting, the best way to help hope grow is to show up and offer help.

You may know this, but most people will say “I don’t even know” or “I’m fine.” Most people grieving or in pain don’t know what they need. They just want relief. But that’s where you get to take initiative…of course, all based on your relationship with the person.

Maybe it’s a pizza dropped off. Or muffins left outside a door. Maybe it’s giving a ride to the doctor. Or making a phone call to talk about the latest episode of “Real Housewives.” (I’ve never done the last one! lol)

There has to be a ACTION element to our hope, so it’s not just blind, fingers-crossed, wishing.

Hope believes that good can still make an appearance even in the worst of circumstances, and that I am capable of bringing some of that good into any situation.

What I find is that hope, love, and joy all build when we come together in the midst of life’s difficulties. We realize that we’re not going through it alone. And that we don’t have to carry the burden of it by ourselves.

When it’s hard to see hope in a dark situation, you can always be hope to someone in need. Shine your light, not with your words, but with your actions.

And then you will truly be living hope. ❤️

I have to share this super awesome video. Do you remember a while back when I told you about my Dad’s ukulele band that goes around to play fun music, usually at homes for senior citizens? Well, Dad’s been battling some icky health stuff lately and hasn’t been able to join them. He had a couple of the players come by the house to have a mini-jam session in the living room. Dad loved that so much. And then this past week the whole group made a really lovely video wishing him well. I had to share it with you. I think you’ll agree this is inline with what I’ve written above.

Would you please consider taking a two question survey to help me improve Crazy Hope? I’d be super grateful.