As we continue to delve into the meaning of hope, I came across this post on Days of Deepening Friendship blog about how to hold onto hope and develop it.

“Hope is a gift from God, but it’s also a habit we cultivate—or forget to cultivate. How can we help our hope?

• Keep a gratitude journal. I’ve heard this advice from several sources lately. The idea is that gratitude is a habit we build. And if we get used to noticing what’s worthy of thanks, then it’s a logical progression to become more hopeful about what the future holds.
• Remember some key Jesus phrases: “Do not worry” and “Be not afraid.” Whenever you’re feeling un-hopeful, just imagine Jesus standing there next to you, saying one or both of these statements. Do you really want to argue with Jesus?
• Collect some stories of hope—the aunt who beat cancer, or the friend who finally found employment. We tend to remember only what’s going wrong.
• Imagine a diagram of your life journey. Celebrate what’s gone well. Envision how you will have grown in the next five years. Imagine the joyful events that might occur during that time. We’re very good at imagining what might go wrong—why not turn that habit on its head?

What are ways you hold onto hope?

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.