Looking Forward - Hope is the Answer When Troubled Times Weigh Heavy

By Jackie White

I am looking forward. I am making a choice to look forward in these days that are uncertain. I do have a choice as to how I am going to get through each day when it seems there isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel.

We all are experiencing a time that none of us have ever experienced before. We wake each day hoping that it was just a bad dream, but with one pinch, we know that it is not. How do we put one foot in front of the other everyday without being sucked into a black hole of fear, loss and desperation?

Its looking forward. It’s hope for the future. That doesn’t mean we don’t live for today, but it does mean that we don’t live without hopes and dreams for tomorrow. 

As we live each day, let’s choose to live it as positively as possible. Let’s choose the bright side and the gratitudes that lie within today. Let’s be thankful we are given another day to breathe and live life. How can we do that with intention and grace?

Live for today by not focusing on the troubles that can weigh you down. You have to be realistic, I understand, but you do not need to wallow negative news stories or extrapolate details into a supposed awfulized version of actuality. Don’t do that. When you find yourself getting sucked in or weighed down, notice how that feels and stop yourself. When you stop yourself, then choose to replace that built up fear and anxiety with hope for tomorrow.

I argue it is not pollyanna to choose happiness in the face of fear. I say it takes courage to do that. That’s what leaders do. It is up to you to lead yourself and your family to a spot of happiness during these tough times. Don’t accept this as a burden, instead accept this as an honor to provide a stable and positive place for you and your family to live during difficult times.

This is all about mindset and choice. You have a choice to be happy. You can take back your power by choosing to be hopeful today. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

10 Ways You Can Choose to Be Hopeful and Look Forward

1. Stop soaking in the news and social media as if it was a lifeline of oxygen! Limit your intake and resist constant trolling of this type of content.
   
2. Replace negative content intake with positive content intake. SoulShine has a lot of resources for you in our blogs. Also, check out positive podcasts like Super Soul Sundays, Youtube videos on positive topics and read books with engaging happy stories. 
   
3. Exercise. Get your body moving daily. It will make you feel better! Take a deep breath and breathe in positivity!
   
4. Get outside daily. Take a walk or ride your bike and get some fresh air and a change of scenery.
   
5. Do things that make you happy. Do you like to craft or read or garden or research your genealogy or play the piano? Engage something you enjoy!
   
6. Play with your kids (if you have them!). Play games with them, paint a picture, decorate your windows for your neighbors enjoyment, do a community service project, sing or dance! Even if your kids are teens, you can still manage to hang out with them by watching or making a Tic Toks, cooking together, watching a movie together, themed dinner parties or even playing some board games.
   
7. Journal. Writing in a journal can really help you work out your feelings and lay the foundation for choosing to focus on the positive. You can also begin a Pandemic Journal to document this historic time period we are living through.
   
8. Self-Kindness: Take a bath, meditate, paint your nails, take a nap, try yoga, bake some cookies. The list is endless! Take the time now to give yourself a little self-kindness.
   
9. Connect. You can still connect with others via technology. Take advantage of catching up with friends who are likely looking for connection as well. Only one rule though: keep the negative talk to a minimum!
   
10. Be Grateful: This is the magic cure to most any negative feeling. Be grateful for what you do have and you will find it’s almost impossible to feel down.
    

One bonus tip for you and this one is important. 

Choose to look forward! Make a list of those things you are looking forward to again. Maybe there needs to be a shift in how you were living life before Covid-19. Take a look at what that means and how you will resume life. 

Today is about choosing to live mindfully in a positive manner. Today is about choosing to look forward in a positive and hopeful light. So, just for today and the todays to come, choose to look forward.

Shine On!