How do you define the word “hope?” Do you define it as wishful thinking or some ethereal ideal that sounds nice, but feels unachievable? The American Psychological Association (APA) defines hope as “the expectation that one will have positive experiences or that a potentially threatening or negative situation will not materialize or will ultimately result in a favorable state of affairs” (www.psychologytoday.com). Notice that the APA acknowledges that threatening and negative situations exist as do the possibility (or hope) that these situations can become better. I would like to suggest that this could be called “informed hope” versus “blind hope.” We can have informed hope which recognizes the troubles that threaten our world while still holding onto the belief that change is possible. 

Hope is an important discipline to practice because it makes us better in all life areas. We have research to show that hope can actually be seen as capital. Psychology Today states, “Locating hope as a type of “psychological capital,” the authors of a 2010 study found that individuals high in hope demonstrate better athletic, academic, occupational, and health outcomes”  (www.psychologytoday.com). Some theorize that hopeful people perform better in all life areas because they believe in the future, change and positivity.

Hope benefits us both personally and globally. Personally, as seen in the study cited here, hope correlates with a more healthy and successful life. Studies have even found that those diagnosed with chronic health conditions, including cancer, heal more quickly and have better health outcomes overall. Globally, hope is a necessity if there is any possibility that we are going to move forward as a nation. We cannot abandon hope and believe that those with differing political viewpoints will magically come together to create solutions that unite us.  Hope is the seed that if nurtured can cause dialogue, cooperation and solutions to emerge.  However, if we have no belief that things will ever get better, we may never take the steps to talk to people who look or think differently from us.

I will speak more about hope on the personal blog on this piece. However, for now, I encourage you to take a quick life inventory. Do you have both personal and global hope? Is one greater than the other? What would it take to engender hope so that you invest in your life with a future mindset and also invest in others with the conviction that change can happen and problems can be solved? What would have happened if people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lost hope?  Where would we be and what would have been missed?

Clinically speaking, hopelessness is a symptom of depression. If you are feeling hopeless more days than not each week, you may be depressed. Our trained and experienced mental health therapists can assess your needs so you can begin your path to healing. If you are struggling with depression or any other mental health issue, please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services today at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment.