Contributed by Bob “Oxygen Man” Rawlins, oxygen user and consultant to CAIRE Inc. ~
Hope is such a powerful word. How often do we use it? Or more importantly, how often do we accept its possibilities?
Hopeful, hoping, plus several other words that have similar meaning when you visit an online Thesaurus including aspiration, faith, anticipation, wish, belief, confidence, desire, prospect just to name a few.
So, why should we ever lose hope if there are so many ways to find it?
We all lose confidence. But that shouldn’t mean we give up hope!
By definition from Wikipedia, “Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one’s life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: “expect with confidence” and “to cherish a desire with anticipation.”
Wow, now that is a mouthful, but I find this very uplifting. Hope is a good thing.
It’s the “’tude” we always mention, Hope—Essential in your everyday outlook.
So, in our everyday lives, hope burns eternal, but do we apply the right positive energy to it.
“I hope I get that promotion.”
“I’m hoping for that bonus this year.”
“I wish things were better with my ______” (whom or whatever)
“Keep the faith.”
“I have the utmost confidence in my team of doctors.”
My next thought is, what are we doing to help these instances of hope and desire to become real?
Is hope an emotion? Most theories say no. One such resource is the “Rules of Hope” authored by James R. Averill, George Catlin and Kyum K. Chon. They don’t include hope as an emotion. hope is compared to two other emotions, love and anger.
Interesting to say, right? Does your hope or anticipation ever turn into anger? I can think of several situations through many experiences. Some will start to give up hope, or faith even though good things can still happen.
In my working years I can think of numerous times that this has happened to me and have seen it in others as well.
You can never give up hope. In my opinion, it is what keeps many going. I’ve also observed that those that continue to believe in hope tend to be healthier and their outlook positive.
Our journey needs Hope—Essential.
The setbacks are numerous. The days can be long and painful at times, but we still need to have that desire to move forward.
I have been very hopeful that my progressive lung disease would level off and stay “as is” forever. Now, I understand that this desire is unrealistic. But how many times are we guilty of those thoughts of wishful thinking.
Remaining positive has allowed me some good success these past five years.
I can now switch to thoughts of hoping that the next course of action is just as successful. We aren’t going to live forever but hoping to live each day the best you can is Hope—Essential.
What I try and ask myself is, “Did I do everything I could within my control for the anticipated outcome be successful?”
Work promotion, bonus attainment, relationships, and maintaining my health as best I can.
I never lose faith, a piece of scripture from Hebrews 11:1 I always remember, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
We obviously can see some of the things that we hope for. But if things don’t go as planned, there is always the need to hope for those things you haven’t seen yet. Continue to have the assurance that the best is yet to come.
Is this overly positive? Probably, but why not? It doesn’t cost a thing, and you will surround yourself with those same positive feelings and people.
When those bad days come, let’s have the hope of a new day!
The COVID-19 virus has changed our lives for over a year now. Has anyone lost hope for a way to live with it, a vaccine to prevent it, and a return to some normalcy? It’s all I hope for.
Before I end this piece. Please read this. It was written by a 6th grader:
Full Moon White
Hope is full moon white
Hope tastes like the greatest sugar
Sweetened lollipop
Hope smells like the dry air of the hospital
Hope sounds like the soft beep beep of an IV
Hope feels like the fluffy fur of your dog
Who is Paralyzed
My son wrote this while his hope and faith were tested praying that his Dad would be coming home from the hospital soon.
He never gave up that hope and I did come home.
We have Hope—Essential every day in our family!
Love you all!
Till next time
#touch-a-heart
#breathe-easy
#laugheveryday
#hope-essential
Coach Bob, “Oxygen Man”
Bob Rawlins, 61, of Medina, Ohio, is husband to Terese and father to their 16-year-old triplets, a soccer coach, a hospital volunteer, band dad and chaperone, and marketing guru. He uses a FreeStyle Comfort portable oxygen concentrator and a transportable oxygen concentrator for overnight travel.
If you have been prescribed oxygen therapy, learn more about CAIRE by visiting www.caireinc.com/patients or by calling 1-800-482-2473 to talk to an oxygen advisor. The contents of this blog post are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice.
Please consult your physician for personalized medical advice. When using any oxygen therapy device please consult the applicable product instructions for use for product indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and detailed safety information.
Image by Flo Maret from Pixabay