What exactly do I mean when I say "there is still hope"?

 THERE IS STILL HOPE!

What exactly is hope? There are a few definitions so I will start with the verb: to cherish a desire with anticipation : to want something to happen or be true (source). When we want something like peace, happiness or joy, and everything we do in life turns into a mess, it may feel like we will never experience these emotions, but what if we are just looking in all the wrong places.  what if we can find peace within ourselves, for only a moment?  Was it worth it?  We felt it, so then we hold onto hope that we will feel it again.  Do we feel happiness on a solo hike, or surfing in the ocean alone? if we have something that we find happiness doing, then we use hope that we will feel that the next time we do that same thing, the key is that hope is a verb- an action word, so we have to actively create hope.  We can do this by planning, scheduling and creating opportunities for these positive emotions to happen. 

Another definition of hope: verb:to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment.  When I was in the mental hospital when I was 17, because I refused accept abuse anymore and was put on a 72 hour hold, turned 12 days because the psych ward refused to release an emotionally sound if a little anxious and depressed 17 year old back into abuse, I had hope that things would get better and my siblings would be safe.  I was put into a program that really messed up my brain in a lot of ways.  I used to have eidetic memory, but after the meds I was on in that program, I lost that 1 advantage I had.  As I write this, I have hope that this will reach someone if only one person, who has lost all hope and remind them that we are indeed still able to actively choose to create our reality.  We can hope, breathe, manifest, pray and act in accordance with with those small goals, that we don't even realize are goals in the moment, to create a better outcome. 

If you are religious, then you can put your trust and hope (to expect with confidence) into your god, faith and religion.  One of the benefits of organized religion is the access to community, leadership, friendship and companionship through shared ideologies.  One of the downfalls can be judgement and exclusion, but with active trust religious community can be a huge blessing.

Desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment, the ultimate hope it to expect that joy will be present in your life again.  Joy comes and go, peace will come and the battle will eventually calm and slow, the anxiety will be less severe, and eventually you will begin to feel the peaceful and joyful feelings you crave.  Taking care of yourself, consistently and over time will also help to increase your hope that no matter what, eventually it will get better. 

when was the last time I felt hopeless? 2 days ago when I am writing this so 7/11/2022 I felt hopeless.  So much had gone wrong, and so many circumstances had overwhelmed me that my depression, hopelessness and fear/anxiety overwhelmed me.  I was struggling to see a future where hope existed.  My community was there for me, friends, family and friends that are closer than family surrounded me in reminders, affirmations, hugs and over all support. this is the power of having a supportive community. 

Love to you all, may you build the community that you deserve, and desire!  I love you all, may you never lose hope, but if you do just know, that I for one am here for you!