Of late I have been deep in the realms of ‘empty’ due to the death of a dear friend and the loss of a relationship with a man to whom I was wide open.
Happily, I am beginning to understand the grace of empty, the space it creates, the opportunity to dance in the unknown.
As I grieved my losses, I was also busy researching for a Tedx Talk I am preparing. It’s on the nature of hope. I’ve been writing and talking for a while about the wonders that occur when hope is merged with action. It’s a central theme in my book about my experiences in South Africa with the Mapusha Weaving Cooperative. Still, for the Ted talk, I wanted to know what others had to say on the matter.
In the realms of psychology and brain science, I found wide agreement on the positive impact of hope. Most agree that hope heals, expands and energizes us. Scott Barny sums it up well,
Hope is not just a feel-good emotion but a dynamic, cognitive motivational system.
Cambodian Buddhist monk Somnieng Hovern adds a fascinating perspective. He speaks not only of the power of hope, but of the synergy between hope and compassion. He suggests that we each do something simple with kindness—and in the process, create hope.
I reflected on my time in South Africa and remembered not just my own growth but the growth of Regina, Emerencia, Eulender…. I felt a new and deeper understanding of the power of hope not just within each individual but within the collective. To live in hope is a wonderful gift, but to create hope within others enlarges the reach exponentially.
I found myself envisioning not only my world, but our collective world expanding and beginning to sparkle as hope expanded hope. All that empty space became a canvas for what could be.
I’m inspired to participate with enthusiasm and vigor and gobs of compassion. I want to grow hope, gift hope and celebrate the power of hope to make a difference.
As my dear departed friend David Patient would say,
Lead, follow or get out of my way.
Do join me in growing and gifting the wonder of hope.
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