Hope as a Strategy?
Several years ago, many of my April posts celebrated it as the month of hope.
I realized this week — I haven’t talked about it at all this month.
I’m not sure if it’s because things still feel heavy in the world around us — at the global and national levels — or if it’s just that I’ve been too busy to notice.
There are plenty of reasons we struggle to see hope right now:
✔️ Illnesses and losses. A friend of mine recently lost a parent relatively quickly.
✔️ Job layoffs. These continue to happen every week, and the job market feels tight for many professions.
✔️ Uncertainty. The lack of consistent messages about the strategy for our economy, what rights may be under attack, and more.
✔️ Funding cuts. One of my nonprofit clients is taking a significant hit after federal grants were rescinded. It’s heartbreaking — not only because I know how critical their work is, but also because it means it no longer makes sense for us to work together right now.
But here’s the thing:
"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."
— Desmond Tutu
We owe it to ourselves to believe in the power of faith and hope.
This country, this world, and each of us — we have been through hard times before.
And we have survived.
Often, we've even thrived after the challenges.
As they say, hope is not a strategy for success.
But it is a strategy that allows us to believe in a future better than what we feel today.
And we know…
✔️ Each day, the sun rises again — offering us new opportunities.
✔️ Each season brings changes, reliably, year after year.
✔️ People accomplish amazing things we never thought possible — physically, scientifically, intellectually.
✔️ Some businesses will shrink, some will grow — but there will always be opportunity.
Every single day, we have the chance to create the world we want — within our individual spans of control.
We control our attitudes.
We control our behaviors.
Here in Delaware, we’re fully in the midst of spring.
The leaves are appearing.
The tulips and daffodils are fading to make room for the next round of blooms.
The temperatures are rising.
And of course... the pollen is showing up too!
"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul — and sings the tune without the words — and never stops — at all."
— Emily Dickinson
Still, I believe in hope.
I believe in a future where my children — and their peers — can thrive.
I believe that even when things feel like they suck, the sun will still come up tomorrow.
And there is a real chance that the next day could be better.
Maybe we do need to let hope be a strategy.
Wherever you are right now — whether you're thriving or simply surviving — I hope you find a spark of hope to carry forward.
It’s not naive. It’s part of our endurance leadership strategy.
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Photo by Wonderlane on Unsplash