From Fear to Hope…
“Hope just means another world might be possible, not promised, not guaranteed. Hope calls for action; action is impossible without hope.” —Rebecca Solnit
The 45th anniversary of the “Miracle on Ice” (U.S. Men’s hockey team defeating the Soviet Union’s team on their way to winning the gold medal) was this past weekend.
Inspired to rewatch Disney’s version of the event, Miracle, I was struck by how much they wove world events into the narrative, giving context to why Americans became so obsessed by the team’s game against the Soviet Union in the medal round.
Reminded of the Iranian hostage crisis, the failures in Vietnam and more, the film also shared an excerpt of President Jimmy Carter’s speech about the “crisis of confidence” many Americans had about the future. Sometimes looking back can help us see what we’ve been through and give us hope for not just surviving the current challenges, but for thriving beyond them.
The film goes on to tell the story of the lengths the coach, Herb Brooks, went to create a winning strategy and strong sense of team to galvanize the Americans to believe they could match and ultimately beat the Soviet Union for the first time in 20 years.
Depending on who you listen to or what you read, you’re likely feeling anything from mild concern to high anxiety about what’s unfolding in our country. Many don’t know what to do. In these times, we can deliberately shift our focus towards hope and gather with like-hearted friends. Strengthened by hope and community, we find the courage to do our part with more love and compassion and less fear.
–Margaret Mead
I’m inspired by stories or films like Miracle and early signs of spring. What inspires you to hope? Who can you share your stories of hope with? Then sit quietly and listen. Trust what you’re called to do.
From prayers to phone calls, to courageous conversations and marching in the street, there are many ways to make a difference. Together, these acts of courage can add up to transformational change that enables us to emerge stronger, kinder, and more vibrantly alive.
May stories of hope find you, nourish and inspire you, and call you to make a difference in the world today.
What is Possible
“Hope is passion for what is possible.”
—Soren Kierkegaard
Hope is a Gift
“Your opponents would love you to believe that it’s hopeless, that you have no power, that there’s no reason to act, that you can’t win. Hope is a gift you don’t have to surrender, a power you don’t have to throw away.”
—Rebecca Solnit
Your Choices
“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.”
—Nelson Mandela
Gentle
A gentler world begins
in the way you touch your heart.
Be soft with the light inside you.
Caress your body with this breath.
God is nothing else
but the place where the sun comes up
in your chest.
You are the glimmering destination.
You are the golden honey daubed
on the bread of the ordinary.
Whatever is perfect,
whatever is heavenly,
begins here.
—Alfred K. LaMotte, Savor Eternity One Moment at a Time (link takes you to Good Reads review)
