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Active Hope is waking up to the beauty of life on whose behalf we can act.
Joanna Macy
We belong to this world.
It could be said that every human era is a time of great uncertainty, a time that requires hope in order to keep going. It is also true that our era is distinct in being the most globally connected in the history of the world. In some ways, this means that hope is always at our fingertips. With a few clicks, we can witness courageous acts of love and compassion in real time, access stories of extraordinary human triumph, or livestream a beautiful concert or compelling talk from around the world.
But our global connection also leaves us with shared challenges and a profound, collective uncertainty about the future. Is there a real end to the pandemic? Will we ever find our way to ongoing peace and equity? Will we have the courage to unite in the face of climate change? The cumulative impact of truly caring for the world, particularly when layered on top of any losses and hardships we may be facing in our individual lives, would simply be impossible to navigate without hope. It’s in these times that cultivating hope as an orientation to life can let in some much-needed light, nourish our hearts, remind us of possibility, and inspire new action in our lives and the world.
Day One: Waking Up to Hope in the World
On this first day of the practice, we invite you to pause, look around, and identify specific ways that hope is alive and thriving in the world. No matter how you might be feeling today, explore the steps below to begin building a practice of attuning to – and allowing for – hope.
- Take a few minutes to savor the images of hope offered in one or both of the following annual collections by Alan Taylor in The Atlantic.* Because images impact each of us differently, one collection may resonate more than the other.
- Notice the feelings that are awakened by focusing your attention on these moving photographs. Which of the images speaks to you most powerfully about hope? Which image(s) did you find most moving and hopeful?
- What occurrence have you witnessed or heard about recently that, if photographed, could be added as an additional hopeful image in either series?
- Beyond the Photos: As you make your way through the day, do so with the intention of identifying 3-5 sources of hope in the world. Begin to build a practice of attuning to those things that deliver a sense of hope, that remind you that hope is alive and well in the world.
- At the end of the day, take time to complete the prompt below. Consider how it felt to orient toward hope throughout the day, how your perspective may have shifted, where a sense of possibility may have opened, etc.
- By intentionally tuning in to sources of hope in the world, I….
Share Your Reflection: We invite you to share your story and/or reflection below. Allow your sources of hope to contribute to a rising well of hope for others engaged in this practice. Please note that you’re welcome to post a response to each day’s prompt at any point during the practice.
*You are able to access the photo series up to three times without a subscription to The Atlantic.
Deepening Resource
Training Our Trains of Thought: A Short Essay by Kristi Nelson
Kristi’s compelling piece offers us strategies and guidance for shifting “awful-izing” patterns of thought to habits of mind that help orient us toward gratefulness and hope.
Photo Credit: Elena Kloppenburg
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Although I signed up and looked forward to this series, I only received Day 1 and no others. Can this be corrected? I sent notes via “contact” twice but have had no response. I did check to see if days 2-5 went to another place on my computer – it did not.
I looked at the pictures a few days ago, on some I had to acknowledge (possibly very legitimate) cynicism (thinking about the distance between applauding healthcare workers and giving them the working conditions and pay they deserve), and today finally tried somewhat regularly to remember the prompt to look for sources of hope in the things I experienced throughout the day. While I am still a bit hesitant (when is „hope“ an inappropriate focus on small positive experiences, potentially together with an illusion of how meaningful they might be in the grand scheme while ignoring big dangerous negative trends in the world?), I took some small nice feelings with me and would be happy to develop a sharper sense of moments of love, courage etc. around me – at least to remember what to work towards/for. I‘ll look forward continue the practice on my schedule in the next days 🙂
Thank you for this lovely practice. Kristi – your piece was wonderful. It’s funny that we know we can fall into habits of awfulizing and we can even watch our patterns in doing so and yet many of us (myself included) haven’t realized we can use the same patterns of behavior to cultivate trains of hope, joy, love or gratitude (or all 4). It sounds simple, but like water flowing down a ditch, it needs to be trained (oops pun not intended – but appropriate) to go in another direction until a new, equally easy path is created. A powerful lesson.
I loved the photos, and also see why some people found them to cause less hope, or more sadness. I tried to remember the photos capture moments in time and in THOSE moments when the photos were taken, there was so much hope in those people’s faces, and actions. Looking back over a few really difficult years for the world can always feel overwhelming and so if we hold onto the glimmers of hope we can see NOW and reflect on photos that even back then when hope seemed difficult individuals found a glimmer, then we can keep hope alive in our present – and that will be seeds for the future.
It is hard to pick a favorite image – but I think for me it’s the couple in their ballroom dancing clothes dancing in their little garden, alone. So joyful and full of promise.
And lastly a little story that truly brought me to a hopeful place. I was recently in the Sacred Valley in Peru (a magnificent place!). I met a driver whose entire livelihood depended on driving tourists around the valley and the surrounding areas. Of course when the pandemic hit, his work came to a total stop. He and his wife did the best they could, stretching their small savings to keep food on the table for their two children and themselves. About two months into the shut-down, he got a notice from his bank about a large deposit – very large. He thought it was a mistake and contacted the bank. But it was real. Someone (apparently someone who had previously paid him) had anonymously deposited the money into his account. The bank had no record of who it had been. The driver didn’t tell anyone for several days, including his wife. He was sure it would be withdrawn as soon as the error was discovered. But it remained. He finally told his wife and the two wept with joy and gratitude for this enormous kindness. Two years later he still doesn’t know who his benefactor is, but he said he prays for them every day. And he said it was one more reminder for himself to do kind things for others whenever he can.
I wept with him as he told me this story. I truly felt more hopeful in humanity. There is bad in the world – and bad people. But there are far more good people, and goodness. And that will always give me hope.
Thank you all, again.
Thank you for creating that word: awfulizing. As we age we tend to think only the good old days were good, blocking out the current goodness.
Thank you for every part of this reflection. The story of the anonymous gift is particularly moving. Thank you.
Thank you Gratefulness for this, it has come at just the right time as I have added an awful lot of carriages to my negative train of thought lately. This morning I got up feeling utterly miserable and sat drinking my coffee with tears falling. The Atlantic photos, whilst I can’t pin one defining photo down, what they have shown me is human resilience and it’s capability for joy. Kristi Nelson’s essay was very helpful. I’m feeling lighter after both the photos and the essay.
Great image you posted about adding carriages to your negativity train. I am good at that, too. Need to get to a side track, to unhitch those cars!
A wise person once said.”Be careful not to rent space to negative thoughts.”
I am glad you are feeling lighter, lamme. I like your expression, “adding carriages to my negative train.” I think sometimes I have done that, too. You are not alone here. As I drink my coffee tomorrow morning I will be thinking of you in friendship. ☕
#33 the photo I would add would be the picture of the man playing the piano in Poland greeting the Ukrainians with music as they were forced to leave Ukraine. In their pain and loss they were greeted with the comfort and beauty of music. Goodness and kindness giving them hope. The Polish people extending a place of safety in the midst of the evil they were experiencing.
As think of all the disasters, either through war, conflict, or climate crisis I am so grateful for the privileges I have. My husband and I just moved back into our house after being out for over 7 months due to the flood and evacuation our little city last November. Our house needed to be completely gutted and restored. What gives me hope is how the community rallied together, all pitching in where they could, the help of Samaritan’s Purse especially the Mennonites and all the young contractors in our town. With their help we have restored our home. The world is in good shape with these young people and it gives me hope!
It’s so good to read your post. How we forget those who step in to help during trouble, and get the job done. When we cannot help in person there are those ministry groups who do. They need our monetary support
Thank you for sharing your story, Melodie. Your story gives me hope, too! I know you must have lost things, but I am very thankful for your resilience!
The photo that spoke about incredible hope was about the volunteer named Jawad Javed delivering coronavirus protection kits that he and his wife put together for the vulnerable people of their community in Stenhousemuir, between Glasgow and Edinburgh, in Scotland. I become teary-eyed when I see an image of someone (usually an immigrant or someone whose race is despised) giving so freely from their own hearts to make sure that someone else who is vulnerable feels less so and feels safe.
Yes, that was a good one! 🤗
The image that spoke to me was the one showing a woman hugging a therapy horse. The image conjured up my daughter Elizabeth, equine surgeon extraordinaire. She gives me hope for the future – she, my son Alex, and my only grandson Gordy. The future is in good hands with good people like them. What else in the world gives me hope? The prospect of Donald Trump in a jail cell.
On Day One, we were asked to identify sources of hope. I kept thinking about the dancers… about moving as if all will turn out. Then I remembered my garden “bombing.” My neighbors are visiting family in Australia for two months. They are vegetarians and love fresh food. When they left, I went over to their little raised vegetable bed which they had let go this year. I cleared it and planted in it with veg as a surprise for when they arrive home… which is today. I will try to post a photo of the garden here, a sign of hope. If I can’t, I will also be posting in the Gratitude Lounge, where I know I can post a photo. …I hope you will go see it there. 🙂
Planting anything in a garden is an act of hope. Planting a garden as a surprise gift for others magnifies that hope immensely. What a wonderful gift you’ve given your neighbors — and us! Thank you.
I love this so much!
Oh, I love this! I can only imagine their delight upon return. What a gift of hope!
For me, the 2021 collection of photos depicts hope in the universal nature of love and friendship—spanning all ages, and cultures, and even between species! We see it in the elderly friends sharing a laugh in Ecuador, the young, escalator-riding couple in Moscow, the jubilant Olympians opting to share a gold medal, and the swan accompanying his human rescuer on evening walks in Turkey.
Simply beautiful ❤️
What struck me with the photos is how in one way or another they all reflect caring, either of others or self-care or of animals. And many of the photos expressed resuming activities as best they could. It made me realize I have been looking for hope in the wrong place. I thought of many of the photos today, but for some reason the couple who were dancing was the one that most stayed in my mind. ❤
all dressed up in their finest ballroom clothes – in their own little garden. Hopeful (and joyful) indeed
I’d I look with eyes open to seeing hope, it’s always there to be found. There is so much demanding my attention that it’s easy to miss these moments. I have to be intentional in cultivating that worldview, one that seeks out hope snd doesn’t get caught up in “awfulizing.” The answer really is gratitude. When I go through my day as ccepting everything as a gift, hope abounds.
Dear Community,
We added a second set of hopeful images from Alan Taylor – this one from 2021 – that may resonate more fully for some of you. You may need to refresh this page to see the additional offering listed above. Please keep in mind that you have three opportunities total to access The Atlantic offerings for free.
Warmly,
Sheryl
Tuning into hope has me realize how little are my worries and concerns. Hope is vast and full of possibilities.
The images were somewhat helpful to me, though Kristi’s piece was more what I need to read today, given that I feel I am at a significant crossroads. At such times, it’s very easy for me to fire up the locomotive that doubts that I will ever figure out how to be of real service. I am grateful – seriously – for Kristi’s words of wisdom. They definitely were what I needed to read today!
The images were hopeful to me because in one way or another they were all about love and joy and I think anything with a focus of love and joy instead of loss or hate is desperately needed. 💜🌹
The exuberance on the face of the teacher doing a zoom class…..such proof we can be lovingly creative…..the orphan in Kenya with her hula hoop……life is possible….the gentleman hugging his brother just released from hospital…..hope answered….thank you!
Every picture expresses the Spirit of Generosity shown in every individual in the images I saw. The Spirit of Life-giving is so ever-present in the expressions of the first responders and individuals present in the lives of those who suffer. Every picture is a sign of Hope for me. During this period of isolation, we have seen the Human heart transcending doubts and fears created by the pandemic and politics. It is the presence of love that transforms the realities of pain and suffering and that Transformation gives us HOPE.
I play violin in several orchestras, and the photos of others giving outdoor concerts moves me so much. All three of the ensembles that I play in have returned to making music in person together, and we all share a sense of rejoicing and greater awareness of how much we have to be grateful for.
Also reviewed these images in 2021. glad to see them again. What speaks to me most is the love and joy in deep resonance that is shared with and among family, human and animal friends and strangers – these are the places of our home, our connections with each other, no matter what. YES – the many reflections of hope.
I am smiling with the teacher in #23. In that moment, she is the embodiment of joyful and vibrant hope, all dressed up, fully engaged and enjoying her charges even through the screen.
I remembered I did this practice in 2021. This morning, I looked back at these photos; I thank many people in the world for keeping us with hope through the pandemic, especially photo #3 – Nurses and Health-care Workers. Thank you so very much!
Photos 5, 6, & 7 show the power and gift of music. Music makes our hearts feel better and can give you hope. The other day I was out in my front yard and I could clearly hear someone playing a saxophone. At first I thought it was a high school student practicing for band. Then I heard an accordion join in making the sound of Tejano music . It made my day to hear sweet music as I sat in my front yard and my heart felt happy. My neighbor stepped out and she enjoyed setting with me to enjoy the music. What a special gift that a complete stranger gave me. Just thinking about it makes me smile.
I forget how uplifting music can be…thank you for the reminder…..everything from Bach to Baez…..
In photo #11, I see the boy on the paddle board welcoming the seal to ride along with him. They are linked on the ride by hope. In seal language, “I trust you w on’t beat me off with that paddle when you get tired of carrying my extra weight.” The boy replies, “Never, we are connected in God’s creation. There’s room for both of us to enjoy life on earth.”
With a large seal smile, “I knew I could trust you. You hold hope in your heart.”
Every photo shows hope and resilience. The amazing adaptability of people in the face of the unknown and its effects truly elicits hope.
I am grateful to this platform for creating inspiration and hope. The pictures are heartfelt. My favorites are #15 and #22. All the love, strength, compassion shared in the photos bring light from the darkness. The following comes to mind when I think of hope:
DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
Papa says, ‘If you see it in THE SUN it’s so.’
Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
VIRGINIA O’HANLON.
115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET.
VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.
Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.
You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.
No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
I imagine that 8 year old now grown up has been blessed by family hope which has lasted into her adult years. Upbringing in a circle of hope is essential to healthy happy lives. Yet too many children are living in the shadow of hopelessness brought about by poverty, war, political agendas and natural disasters. May we hold enough extra hope for the young ones who suffer. May we include them in our prayer and tithing.
I am so sorry to say that those images don’t create a sense of hope inside of my. They connect with fear, with being scared for what in the future awaits us. Of course I am gratefull for all the wonderful work everyone has done in the years of COVID lockdowns and lots of work in the hospitals, but remembering the distance between people, not knowing when we could hug again, but most of all not knowing if it is over or we will have to face another winter with cancelling all our activities. I do wonder how the choice of pictures has been made.
Dear friends,
Just wanting to be sure that you saw the second collection of photos that we added to today’s practice. We’re hoping that these images might more readily engender a sense of hope for those who didn’t find the first collection as hope-filled as we had anticipated. Thank you again for your thoughtful responses.
Sabrina, I agree and can relate. As a healthcare worker, there is a lot of emotional trauma around that time, and seeing images taking me back to the hope we desperately tried to muster (felt like a lot of “fake it till you make it”) during that time isn’t what I am wanting to look to now for a sense of hope today! But I did enjoy Kristi’s essay a lot. And it is nice to reflect on what I can see in my life today that gives me hope.
My husband and I, both much older and with health issues, and still don’t know what risks to take. We live in Michigan and have a first grandchild getting married in Texas in February. We keep asking ourselves should we go?
Dear friend – I just wanted to say that I’m holding what you’ve shared here with so much tenderness as you discern a path forward.
With compassion,
Sheryl
Sabrina-Thank you for your reply. When I viewed the images early this morning, I, too, did not feel hope, and I felt bad about that. But the pictures and the captions from 2020 took me back to a scary and sad time. I even looked at all those double-masked nurses making hearts with their hands and wondered who had survived. (pre-vaccines)
I think I would have felt hopeful (and did feel hopeful) viewing those and similar images in the midst of it all. The dedicated, selfless healthcare workers working under exhausting, life-threatening circumstances were incredibly inspiring!!
But this morning, rather than hope, I felt sadness. Sadness knowing what’s to follow—that despite the heroic, dangerous work of healthcare workers early in the pandemic, and the miraculously swift creation and distribution of highly effective vaccines, the politicization of it all managed to drive a wedge even deeper between “sides”. I suppose my reaction reflects the deep disappointment (and if I’m honest with myself, some ill-will) I still harbor toward those who deliberately spread misinformation related to the pandemic. What could have been a unifying (albeit awful) event, instead was used to sow more seeds of mistrust and suspicion.
Whew! Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest (and heart) I need to focus on recognizing and embracing the hope around me!
I’m looking forward to the next 4 installments! And I really did love the picture of the hitchhiking seal. 🦭 ❤️❤️
Dear Amy, I really appreciate it when you and others are genuine in your expression.. I am learning by seeing a little through your eyes. We all have a bit of each other in us, I think. All of us here have gratitude and caring and at least some hope, but perhaps would really like to let it fly. Thank you for your reflection. 🕊 ❤
Thank you, Holly. I truly appreciate that!
Thank you for sharing this feedback, Sabrina. I really appreciate and understand your reflection that some of the images evoke sadness and even fear. Collectively, we’re continuing to live through very challenging times, and some of these images speak directly to ongoing difficulties and losses. Our intention with the practice, which we hope will be evident in the arc of the five days, was to create opportunities to consider the ways we can attune to and cultivate hope even when things are hard, not just when everything’s going well. In particular, we chose this collection because we felt it demonstrated ways that humans act with generosity and hope even in the face of sad and fearful times – and also because it included some images we felt were purely joyful and playful: the dancing, the bride, the dog in the classroom, Spiderman! It reminds us, I think, of the power of images and how they can evoke such strong – and different – feelings in each of us. I hope this helps answer your question about how we made the selection of the photos. And, again, I truly appreciate your feedback. I do hope you find that the rest of the practice unfolds in meaningful ways for you. Please continue to stay connected, as we’re grateful to be in community with you.
With appreciation, Sheryl
I understand your perspective, Sabrina. Living in what was the epicenter during COvid, I heard the constant screech of ambulances transporting patients from one overcrowded medical center to next nearest one. My compassion levels deepened, my prayers rose to God’s mercy throne and yes, the fear factor multiplied. During lockdown we were held hostage, only the hold of the Holy Spirit would engender hope in me.
Thank you for your honesty, Sabrina. The images do bring back a time of fear and sadness. Maybe that’s part of the practice–to look beyond or beneath those feelings to the positive aspects that are not so apparent.
The brothers hugging, and the beautiful healthcare team standing beside them. Sent shivers up my spine as I thought of all the people that came together and worked so hard to save lives. And are still doing so today. My siblings and I would pool cash and order food brought into the covid wing where my cousin was a floor nurse. Their favorite was always breakfast food, not matter the time. Such a small gesture but we learned that the nurses and doctors and staff could let go for the 15 or 20 min break. It didn’t solve any big problems; we just wanted to say ‘we see you’.
It’s been my experience that it’s in precisely those small gestures and simple moments where hope sneaks in.