Hope and change. We all need to believe in those things. Not
rhetoric or campaign slogans. This isn’t about politics; I’m
talking about life. Unless your life is 100 percent perfect, this
applies to you.
Every one of us could use improvement in at least one area and
having hope is what helps us hold on until circumstances are
altered.
As we begin our first weeks of 2010 perhaps there will be time
to reflect about all that happened last year. What changes can you
make to correct problems? What decisions can you rethink in order
to not repeat bad choices?
Many of life’s challenges are out of our control. Unkind
spouses, rebellious adult children, serious illness and loss of
jobs are only a few. Are you still hopeful for change or has your
hope begun to evaporate like steam from a tea pot? What are you
doing to foster hope? If you don’t take care of it, hope will
disappear entirely.
Here are a few suggestions (for even the happiest and most
optimistic people) to nurture their “hope bank.”
• Keep a journal that only includes the good things that happen
(even the tiniest).
• Reflect on times in the past when a positive change has
happened to you.
• Fill your mind with uplifting thoughts (be aware of when your
mind starts to go down a path of despair and reroute your
thinking).
• Be certain that your circle of friends includes at least one
person who always has encouraging things to say (the more of these
friends the better … be sure to return the favor instead of
draining them). If you’re lacking these types of friendships, be
intentional about pursuing new ones.
• Read the Bible. It is full of stories of amazing change to
inspire more faith … hope and faith are partners.
• Read a book of Bible promises as a reminder of what God can
and says He will do.
• Pray. Pour your heart’s desires out to the Lord. Let it be a
time of emotional cleansing if you need it. Don’t stop after you’ve
told Him what you want to change. Listen to what He might be
telling you in answer to your plea. Write it down as a letter from
God to you.
• Think and talk about the future in terms of already having
arrived at a better place in life. “When I’m feeling better…” or
“When my husband agrees to counseling…” Don’t limit yourself to
wishful or “if only” statements.
I recently saw this quote but don’t know the author: “If nothing
was ever allowed to change, where would butterflies come from?”
I pray that in 2010 you see many new butterflies in your life.
Happy New Year.
Ahwatukee Foothills resident Diane Markins can be reached at
Diane@DianeMarkins.com. Visit her blog at
www.WordsInHighDef.blogspot.com.
Home
Hope and change in 2010
Posted: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 12:00 am
Hope and change in 2010 Commentary by Diane Markins Ahwatukee Foothills News | 0 comments
Hope and change. We all need to believe in those things. Not rhetoric or campaign slogans. This isn’t about politics; I’m talking about life. Unless your life is 100 percent perfect, this applies to you.
Every one of us could use improvement in at least one area and having hope is what helps us hold on until circumstances are altered.
As we begin our first weeks of 2010 perhaps there will be time to reflect about all that happened last year. What changes can you make to correct problems? What decisions can you rethink in order to not repeat bad choices?
Many of life’s challenges are out of our control. Unkind spouses, rebellious adult children, serious illness and loss of jobs are only a few. Are you still hopeful for change or has your hope begun to evaporate like steam from a tea pot? What are you doing to foster hope? If you don’t take care of it, hope will disappear entirely.
Here are a few suggestions (for even the happiest and most optimistic people) to nurture their “hope bank.”
• Keep a journal that only includes the good things that happen (even the tiniest).
• Reflect on times in the past when a positive change has happened to you.
• Fill your mind with uplifting thoughts (be aware of when your mind starts to go down a path of despair and reroute your thinking).
• Be certain that your circle of friends includes at least one person who always has encouraging things to say (the more of these friends the better … be sure to return the favor instead of draining them). If you’re lacking these types of friendships, be intentional about pursuing new ones.
• Read the Bible. It is full of stories of amazing change to inspire more faith … hope and faith are partners.
• Read a book of Bible promises as a reminder of what God can and says He will do.
• Pray. Pour your heart’s desires out to the Lord. Let it be a time of emotional cleansing if you need it. Don’t stop after you’ve told Him what you want to change. Listen to what He might be telling you in answer to your plea. Write it down as a letter from God to you.
• Think and talk about the future in terms of already having arrived at a better place in life. “When I’m feeling better…” or “When my husband agrees to counseling…” Don’t limit yourself to wishful or “if only” statements.
I recently saw this quote but don’t know the author: “If nothing was ever allowed to change, where would butterflies come from?”
I pray that in 2010 you see many new butterflies in your life. Happy New Year.
Ahwatukee Foothills resident Diane Markins can be reached at Diane@DianeMarkins.com. Visit her blog at www.WordsInHighDef.blogspot.com.
More about Change
More about Hope
More about Isn
Posted in Commentary on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 12:00 am. | Tags: Change, Hope, Isn, Need, Believe, Rhetoric, Campaign, Slogans, Things
Similar Stories
Most Read
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Current users sign in here.
Register
If you do not have an account, set one up!
It's easy to do and it's free!
'Tukee Talk
Past present and future…
More 'Tukee Talk
Latest Slideshows
12 photos
Baseball: MP vs Chaparral
21 photos
Volleyball: DV vs Gilbert
15 photos
Volleyball: DV vs Salpointe
14 photos
Baseball: MP vs Corona
More Latest Slideshows
Print Edition Online
More E-Editions
Calendar
Calendar
Upcoming events
Near: Childsplay’s ‘A Wrinkle in Time’ opens April 21
Here: Social Thinking, Social Skills camp at Piller Child Development May 2
Recent videos
Loop 202 - Jim Jochim Interview
PARC Treasurer Jim Jochim sits down with Allison Hurtado to discuss the Phoenix Loop 202 project ...
It's a boy!! Our Andean bear cub recently had its first check-up with Phoenix Zoo vets. After pat...
Country Thunder Day 1 off to a great start!
Sections
Services
Affiliates
Contact us
ahwatukee.com
Ahwatukee Foothills News
Phone number: 480-898-7900
E-mail: bstidham@ahwatukee.com
Address: 10631 S. 51 St., Suite 1
Phoenix, AZ 85044
Search
© Copyright 2011, Ahwatukee Foothills News, Phoenix, AZ