Good Morning and Happy Monday!

I hope you were able to refresh and recalibrate this weekend. There’s such value in taking time for ourselves. Self-care helps us feel good and causes us to be more present with those around us. To those of you who are fathers, I hope you were appropriately celebrated!

As different organizations and businesses begin to engage in face-to-face activities again, many of us are cautiously optimistic. There are several reasons to be hopeful, yet to err on the side of thoughtful restraint lends safety to our health and wellbeing. Our mental and emotional wellbeing depends on the same sensibility as our physical health. Taking the necessary precautions to ensure we’re making wise choices for ourselves and those around us instill hope in the prospect of positive outcomes.

Terrie M. Williams, an American philanthropist, therapist, and activist, regarded hope as a means of changing the world when enacted genuinely and transparently. We have seen this kind of response throughout the last months and weeks as people have fought back fear with consideration and understanding. Ms. Williams authored the following sentiment:

Quotes That Give You Hope – Quotes About Hope

Williams’s words echo my hopes for a world where being genuine and holding space for others to do the same is highly regarded and is contagious in a way that inspires right action, global understanding, and provides fertile ground for profound and necessary change. Hope is what brings about thoughtful and honest conversation that fosters transparency and authenticity. Hope is also the initial vehicle toward peaceful communication.

Hope is represented in many parts of Scripture, and specifically in Ephesians this way:

“Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” Ephesians 3:20 (TLB)

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!” Ephesians 3:20-21 (MSG)

Hope helps us learn from the past, remain present in the now, and look forward to a brighter future. Hope motivates us to make lemonade, learn to dance in the rain, and embrace change. Hope teaches us to love, accept, and endure in order to evolve.

Consider looking for opportunities to engage in and promote hope this week. I believe the experience will be rewarding. I also think it will provide the chance for game-changing perspective adjustments to be realized.

Have a wonderfully hope-filled week!

Be Well & Be Blessed!
Lucinda