Life isn’t always the way we want it to be. All we have to do is to glance at the headlines to see that we continue to live in very uncertain times. The job we thought was safe might not be there tomorrow, there have been many layoffs in my own backyard with the theme parks terminating 8500 this past week.

There’s always some natural disaster somewhere, between hurricanes and fires. And people seem to be more cruel than kind – the pandemic has certainly not made people nicer these days. There are still many people who have not left their homes, or traveled, due to worry about Covid and some states still in lockdown.

With all that’s going on, it’s easy to get caught up in a negative spiral of self-doubt and anxiety. How do you stay hopeful and positive when around you all you see are negative messages and fear?

Be here now

By focusing on the present, you will find it easier to take a step back and act as an observer. By practicing mindfulness, you’ll see you can enjoy the simple things in life, no matter how bad things may seem. All worries and fears of the unknown can melt away if you focus on the present.  Look for things in your life for which you’re grateful – writing them down so you capture them, which you can go back and review when you feel down.

Look for ways to exhibit compassion and empathy

Spreading hope needs to start somewhere. Begin with the one person you can control – yourself. By looking for opportunities to pay it forward through random acts of kindness, you then become the impetus for others to do the same. Your compassionate heart and ability to walk in another’s shoes will be the guide to those around you. Helping others help you in ways you don’t realize.

Do something

The person without hope becomes stagnant, preferring to hide from the world. If you find that’s the case with yourself, then it’s time to force yourself into action, even if you don’t feel like it. Get out of the house. Call a friend and suggest an outing or go by yourself. Find a green space, such as a trail or park, because these places have been found to create calm and contentment in those who spend even a few minutes there. The goal is to find a positive action and embrace it, whatever that might be. Pick up litter, hug a child, do something that makes you feel good inside, and there you will find hope blossoming.

It’s so easy to get caught up in the negativity of the world around you. Only by actively seeking hope will you find it. By practicing these three steps regularly, you’ll find yourself able to look forward to each day, no matter what’s going on around you.

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