Looking Forward to 2021 - Why Hope Matters
There are signs of hope and reminders of the wonders of humanity all around. We just need to see them.
I came upon a glowing pink sign on a cool, gray day in upstate New York. I felt its pull and took it as a sign – literally a sign of hope.
In these times especially, I am reminded of the importance of hopefulness. In the face of a public health emergency, complex business and personal challenges, hopefulness has been my north star. I have seen some remarkable acts of kindness, and I have been moved to dig deep during these “unprecedented times” and lean in, to listen and approach matters with an extra helping of empathy.
Another sign of hope appeared off to my right recently with an impressive mirror of itself on a still, glass-like water. That sign called out to me and reminded me of all the reasons to be hopeful.
The importance of hope should not be underestimated, but what exactly is hope? For some it is believing good things will happen. For others, it is looking for the silver lining, seeing challenges as opportunities, and hoping for the best.
Hope is the possibility that things will get better and that we have the ability to make it so. “Research indicates that hope can help us manage stress and anxiety and cope with adversity. It contributes to our well-being and happiness and motivates positive action” (Psychology Today, February 5, 2019, P. Campbell).
Now more than ever, we need to exercise CARE (compassion, altruism, respect, empathy) as we navigate the complexities of both our personal and professional lives.
As we step into 2021, let’s think about some things we are looking forward to in 2021:
- Seeing a co-worker’s smile
- Hugging family members
- Hearing “Play Ball!”
- Enjoying live music
- Company picnics and holiday parties
- Smiling at a stranger
- Spontaneous lunch with co-workers
Together, we have many reasons to be hopeful. What are some of the things that give you hope for 2021?
