For intelligent optimist….what a concept.  I would fall in that category.  This is the tagline for a new magazine that I have been reading lately called Ode.  I did a blog on laughter that was from this same magazine……this week’s article was on hope therapy.  I like that.  I have written a few blogs on hope and as you know by now if you read my blogs, my given name is Stanhope……so it’s in my blood, my soul, my core and my mission.

It truly amazes me that we as a culture, are still wanting a concrete explanation for everything.  Stress, joy, hope, and happiness are all terms that we cannot touch yet we know are real.  Hope, as defined by psychologists, is the belief that we have the skills and energy to make our dreams a reality.  Hope, as defined by my Acupuncturist and friend, Jimmy, is Having Opportunities Present Everywhere.  So what is hope therapy?  Hope therapy is creating hope in our lives by finding out what we really want in life and creating that reality through intention, action and belief.  Hope has a way of opening up old channels in our belief system that have been closed due to failure or fear.  Even though we can’t touch this, the researchers of this world are finding out what some have known for years……hopeful people tend to be physically healthier, more content, better able to cope with stress, and most of all they are happier. Interestingly enough, hope therapy does not disregard negative emotions….on the contrary it embraces the experimentation of alternative approaches when things go wrong. 

I know this to be true for me.  When I am hopeful, I can stay in my heart and be centered when fear comes into my life.  My mission in this life is to create a world of hope by loving unconditionally.  I know hope creates a bridge for me to be totally present as I don’t have to occupy my thoughts with “What happens if…..?” or  “Is everything going to be OK….?”  

Whether we call it hope therapy, hope, belief, or faith……….we all move forward everyday without the knowledge of what will be.  So make a choice to be hopeful, build your bridge, believe……it’s what we have, so let’s play to our strengths.  Just remember the parable…….fear knocked at the door, faith and hope answered, no one was there.