“Hope is the foundation for creativity, inspiration, joy, and all those emotions which allow us to transcend ourselves.” Verena Kast
Happy Monday!
My heart is heavy as I write today. The events in SoCal this past week have left us all shaken and vulnerable. My prayer is that we’re able to allow ourselves to grieve and then overcome the devasting effects of the losses with transcending hope. Personally, I have a new understanding and appreciation for the power of prayer as I try to make sense of others’ pain and lend support in whatever way I can. I’m thankful for those precious friends who checked on us as I tried to extend my support to others.
There are so many reasons to be angry, frustrated, and scared, and many are still under severe restrictions due to the sheer scope of the disaster. Hopefully, people will feel encouraged to process genuine and legitimate emotions in the coming days and months. There is one emotion over which we can gain some control when we feel so much the opposite: hope. Verena Kast, a Swiss psychoanalyst and professor at the University of Zurich, shared this positive outlook regarding hope. Here is a selection of her thoughts:
As we begin to look toward recovery from the SoCal fires, and as you and I face the daily challenges we encounter, hope is something that we can strive to maintain and thereby access some modicum of peace. Hope is the enduring path of reasoning that helps us continue to move forward when we’re discouraged and motivates us to set expectations when we may opt to give up. Hope allows us to transcend and rise to the better versions we seek.
Scripture has these encouragements when considering hope:
“…And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV)
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)
I encountered other poignant words of inspiration as I sought solace and guidance. The words were intended to elicit selfless service in Theodore Roosevelt’s speech at the Sorbonne in 1910. They inspired hope in me, and I anticipate the same for you. These are the words written by Roosevelt:
“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs, and comes short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
Many souls were in the arena this week. The marks of valiant efforts shone on the faces of those who lost so much and those who fought to preserve whatever they could. During one of the worst disasters in SoCal’s history, they enthusiastically transcended their fears to uncover versions of themselves that rose to the occasion of the worthy cause. There were failures and missteps, and some of the efforts fell short, but overall, people rallied to support one another. And a most heartfelt thanks to those front-line workers and first responders who created a new understanding of striving valiantly through their ceaseless efforts.
Let’s consider our blessings this week as we continue to repair, reconnect, and rebuild, whether in the affected areas of SoCal or battling our own challenges. Let’s be quick to lend a hand where we can and be vigilant in assisting others who need a shoulder to cry on, a strong arm to uplift them, a listening ear, or help create a strategic recovery plan. Let’s be slow to criticize and quick to validate and affirm. Let’s help each other realize transcending hope!
Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda
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