Keep writing! The positivity in these messages remind me of the seasons of our lives. Coming out of the snow in the connected state into the sunshine of Arizona gave me hope during many mountains and valleys. Thanks to you and Cynthia.
The anxious versus eager distinction stopped me cold. I've been turning it over since I read it.
I work with people who spent decades in high-control religious environments, and what you've named here is something I see in almost all of them: the nervous system gets trained on anxious engagement so early and so completely that even after they leave, hope feels dangerous. Like a trick. Like the setup before the next correction.
Learning to be eager instead of anxious isn't just a word swap. For a lot of people it's actual rewiring. And what you said about hope as a verb, as the thing you bring rather than the thing that arrives, that's not a small reframe. That's the whole project.
I love this! Thank you, Susan! The idea of hope being a function of memory, while despair is one of forgetting, especially resonates with me. It makes so much sense that the reminder to “remember” occurs so frequently in the scriptures. And yet, how easy it is to forget!
I needed to read this so much right now. I have felt my hope get smaller and dimmer over the months as I felt powerless in the face of all the political strife. As I also jumped in to protest, send letters, make calls and do what I could, I started to feel better every day. Reading words like these build my hope stronger. Thank you!
Isn't it amazing how much it helps to DO anything? I don't know why I so often have a hard time hanging onto this lesson. Glad you're finding some medicine in it. Thanks, Wendy!
I think this is the best thing you’ve written ever (apologies to your dad for the superlative)! It’s so hopeful! Thank you so much for cracking my crusty winter ice covering and exposing the budding bulbs of hope and faith that were lying dormant underneath. ♥️
I loved reading this! I too attended the protest, and the thing I love to say to people insisting that he is also my president is ... I know! That's exactly why I'm protesting! It was hopeful to see thousands protesting there that day in our town. Hope in action.
Thank you, Beth! My dad never says anything is the best, he always says things are "probably the second best...for sure in the top 3!" Thanks for starting my day with a smile.
Keep writing! The positivity in these messages remind me of the seasons of our lives. Coming out of the snow in the connected state into the sunshine of Arizona gave me hope during many mountains and valleys. Thanks to you and Cynthia.
The anxious versus eager distinction stopped me cold. I've been turning it over since I read it.
I work with people who spent decades in high-control religious environments, and what you've named here is something I see in almost all of them: the nervous system gets trained on anxious engagement so early and so completely that even after they leave, hope feels dangerous. Like a trick. Like the setup before the next correction.
Learning to be eager instead of anxious isn't just a word swap. For a lot of people it's actual rewiring. And what you said about hope as a verb, as the thing you bring rather than the thing that arrives, that's not a small reframe. That's the whole project.
I love this! Thank you, Susan! The idea of hope being a function of memory, while despair is one of forgetting, especially resonates with me. It makes so much sense that the reminder to “remember” occurs so frequently in the scriptures. And yet, how easy it is to forget!
I needed to read this so much right now. I have felt my hope get smaller and dimmer over the months as I felt powerless in the face of all the political strife. As I also jumped in to protest, send letters, make calls and do what I could, I started to feel better every day. Reading words like these build my hope stronger. Thank you!
Isn't it amazing how much it helps to DO anything? I don't know why I so often have a hard time hanging onto this lesson. Glad you're finding some medicine in it. Thanks, Wendy!
I think this is the best thing you’ve written ever (apologies to your dad for the superlative)! It’s so hopeful! Thank you so much for cracking my crusty winter ice covering and exposing the budding bulbs of hope and faith that were lying dormant underneath. ♥️
Thanks, Carol! I write to give myself hope and I'm so happy whenever some of it gets on someone else too.
I loved reading this! I too attended the protest, and the thing I love to say to people insisting that he is also my president is ... I know! That's exactly why I'm protesting! It was hopeful to see thousands protesting there that day in our town. Hope in action.
That's the right response! Straight to the point, and much nicer than everything I wanted to say...😂
If this essay is not THE BEST ever, it’s in the top three. Ditto to every word of it. Brava, wise Susan!
Thank you, Beth! My dad never says anything is the best, he always says things are "probably the second best...for sure in the top 3!" Thanks for starting my day with a smile.