{"id":1884,"date":"2020-07-15T00:45:43","date_gmt":"2020-07-15T00:45:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/?p=1884"},"modified":"2020-07-15T00:45:43","modified_gmt":"2020-07-15T00:45:43","slug":"staying-hopeful-in-a-troubled-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2020\/07\/staying-hopeful-in-a-troubled-world.html","title":{"rendered":"Staying Hopeful in A Troubled World"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It is not easy to be hopeful in today\u2019s world.\u00a0 The COVID-19 pandemic has no end in sight.\u00a0 Issues of racism, sexism and violence don\u2019t seem to improve.\u00a0 And there are no quick\u00a0 answers to any of these issues.<\/p>\n

Within the last five months, our lives have changed dramatically.\u00a0 In my own household, life is so very different.\u00a0 We wear masks to the grocery store, Home Depot and the pharmacy.\u00a0 We no longer go out to dinner or to church on Sundays.\u00a0 These days, we cook at home, and we spend our weekends doing yard work and organizing the house.<\/p>\n

Moreover, it is a difficult time for many.\u00a0 Many folks are suffering from the virus or have lost loved ones to it.\u00a0 Some have lost their jobs due to the pandemic restrictions.<\/p>\n

As a result, staying hopeful can seem challenging right now. \u00a0Below are some ways to keep your hope alive and make the best of what is a difficult time for us all.<\/p>\n

Tend to Your Patch of Earth <\/strong><\/h3>\n

When considering the ills of this world, it is easy to feel helpless.\u00a0 I often think about the scores of women and children who are physically and sexually abused in this world, and it pains me.\u00a0 When I consider the abuse of animals at the hands of sick people, it depresses me.\u00a0 I am one person, and it frustrates me that there is nothing that I can do as an individual to eradicate all the evil that exists in this world.<\/p>\n

That is a fact that each of us, as caring human beings, has to accept.\u00a0 Realize that at this moment, some person or animal in this world is being hurt, either emotionally or physically, and there is nothing that you or I can do about it.\u00a0 That is a hard pill to swallow.<\/p>\n

The only thing that we can do is to care for our little patch of earth.\u00a0 Our obligation is to care for the animals and people in our home, and the neighbors in our community.\u00a0 We also are expected to care for our family members and friends.\u00a0 And we need to show kindness to the stranger we encounter on the street.\u00a0 Our patch of earth is our small part of the world that we need to tend.<\/p>\n

If we each did just that, if we each cared for our patch of earth, think how much better our world would be.\u00a0 By simply extending generosity, kindness and compassion, to your small part of the world, you can make a difference.<\/p>\n

And depending on our resources, our patch of earth may be much larger than our home or community.\u00a0 For instance, Bill Gates and Oprah have been blessed with a great deal of resources.\u00a0 So, their patch of earth extends beyond their small communities.\u00a0 They have an obligation to help others globally, and they do so.<\/p>\n

The bottom line is that neither you nor I can cure the world.\u00a0 I wish we could, but none of us has that power.\u00a0 However, we can do our part for our little patch of earth.\u00a0 And in doing so, we each can make a difference in improving the world.\u00a0 And that is a reason to be hopeful!<\/p>\n

Focus on Encouraging Others<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you feel discouraged right now, I don\u2019t blame you.\u00a0 Some folks have lost their jobs, and they are trying to figure out how to pay for groceries and rent.\u00a0 For those of us who are still working, we\u2019ve had to transition to working from home, and we may not be ideally set up to do so.\u00a0 Or, we may have returned to work, but we are dealing with working while wearing a mask.\u00a0 Many of our elderly are not able to see their families as regularly as they used to.\u00a0 It is hard.<\/p>\n

However, if we focus too much on what is wrong in the world, we will feel frustrated. \u00a0That is why changing our focus is so critical.\u00a0 Instead of focusing on what is wrong, we need to focus on doing something positive. \u00a0Helping and encouraging others is a great way to take our minds off of our worldly concerns.<\/p>\n

For example, these days, I\u2019ve been trying to send cards of encouragement whenever I can.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t an expensive venture.\u00a0 A card and a stamp cost a couple of dollars.\u00a0 But the act of surprising someone with a note of good cheer feels great!<\/p>\n

As another example, ever since the pandemic started, our church\u2019s pianist has been sending a YouTube video every morning of her playing an inspirational piece.\u00a0 She is highly talented, and it is a special treat to start each day with one of her beautiful performances.\u00a0 She is encouraging others with her special gift \u2013 her musical talent.<\/p>\n

There are so many ways that we can bring positivity to the world.\u00a0 We just have to think creatively.\u00a0 In doing so, we can spread hope to others, and in turn, we can feel very hopeful ourselves!<\/p>\n

Delight in the Simple Things<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sometimes, when the big things in life feel overwhelming, it helps to take pleasure in the small things.\u00a0 For instance, years ago, when I was getting divorced, it brought me peace to simply take long walks in nature with my dog (he was thrilled!).\u00a0 These days, I receive a great deal of comfort by listening to hymns or classical music.<\/p>\n

A home-cooked meal, a kind note from a friend, a good cup of coffee \u2013 these are simple things to delight in.\u00a0 None of them cost a lot of money.\u00a0 They are just things that improve our everyday experience of life.<\/p>\n

In fact, whether life is going smoothly or not, we should be in the habit of savoring the little things in life.\u00a0 When we enjoy the small things \u2013 whether it be our morning cup of tea or time spent reading a good book \u2013 we create a life that is pleasurable, regardless of what is going on in the world. (For more ideas about enjoying the simpler things in life, click here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

It is easy to feel sad and frustrated over the current state of affairs in the world, especially when it seems like there is no end in sight to the problems that we face.\u00a0 Nevertheless, it is important to not lose hope.\u00a0 I hope you will consider using the above strategies to remain hopeful and at peace.<\/p>\n

Email: meerabelle@meerabelledey.com<\/p>\n

If you would like to receive my Free E-Book, “The Confidence Course,” and sign up for my weekly newsletter, go to meerabelledey.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It is not easy to be hopeful in today\u2019s world.\u00a0 The COVID-19 pandemic has no end in sight.\u00a0 Issues of racism, sexism and violence don\u2019t seem to improve.\u00a0 And there are no quick\u00a0 answers to any of these issues. Within the last five months, our lives have changed dramatically.\u00a0 In my own household, life is…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":593,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nStaying Hopeful in A Troubled World - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"It is a challenge to stay positive these days. 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