The Power of Hope

‘Jack Potvin, Founder of Project Happy, Karen and Jay share thoughts on the power of hope and how having an abundance of hope can help in the accomplishment of miracles.’

When we experience hope, all things are possible. I suspect there have been times in your life when the world around you looked dark, maybe even seemingly hopeless. But then somehow you found a glimmer, a flicker of hope on the horizon. And, when this happened things started to change. You took a step forward, mustering up the courage to do so. And your sense of hopefulness began to blossom, then evolving into full bloom. As the momentum continued, you felt as though anything seemed possible. And, in truth, anything ‘was’ possible because you were in complete connection with the ‘power of hope.’

As experienced in your own life, having an abundance of hope can serve as a powerful motivator, propelling you to achieve dreams that may seem out of reach. Hope provides the driving force that keeps you pushing forward despite obstacles and setbacks. It instills a sense of possibility and optimism that fuels ambition and determination. With hope as a guiding light, you are more likely to take risks, work harder, and persevere through challenges, ultimately allowing you to soar to new and greater heights that you might not have thought possible.

And, beyond our own lives, we see this power illustrated by the remarkable stories of people who have overcome the greatest of obstacles. Take for example the story of Helen Keller. Despite being deaf and blind from a young age, Keller refused to be defined by her disabilities. With unwavering hope and determination, she overcame immense challenges to become a renowned author and activist, inspiring countless others to achieve their own dreams against all odds.

Similarly, Nelson Mandela is another iconic figure who exemplified the impact of hope on achieving extraordinary feats. During his long imprisonment, he never wavered in his belief that a better future was possible for South Africa. His steadfast hope and resilience not only sustained him through years of adversity but also inspired a nation to unite and strive towards reconciliation and progress.

At the Sunshine Initiative, we have also seen first-hand that the influence of hope is not limited to individuals but extends to entire communities as well. When communities come together with a shared sense of hope and purpose, remarkable transformations can occur. The American Sunshine Movement, with its mission to revitalize and spread positivity and a 'can do' mentality to small towns and communities across the nation, exemplifies this collective power of hope. By fostering a spirit of optimism and possibility, our Movement has the potential to not only change the trajectory of local communities but also to create a more hopeful and promising future for generations to come.

By embracing hope as a guiding force, the American Sunshine Movement seeks to ignite positive change on a larger scale, demonstrating the profound impact of a hopeful outlook on shaping the future of our society. So, too, in your own life, especially when circumstances may seem bleak, I urge you to tap into the ‘power of hope’ and experience the magic that lies ahead.

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Positive Profile of the Week: Ben Doskocil - Hope is Everywhere – Speak Positively on Everything for 24 Hours

This week we are delighted to highlight a wonderful friend and powerful force for positivity and hope – Ben Doskocil.

In particular, we’d like to thank Ben, one of our Sunshine colleagues, for sharing these wonderful thoughts on the transformative power of hope and the inspiration from his mentor – Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.

From Ben: As Dr. Peale writes: ‘A wise doctor once told his family that “all things are possible for those who truly believe.” So many of humankind’s greatest accomplishments in science, business, battle, sporting events and healthcare had a humble beginning as a tiny mustard seed of hope in the heart and mind of a person with unwavering perseverance. And these titans among humankind proved that what many saw as entirely impossible, could in fact be authentically accomplished! Keeping hope not just alive, but healthy and abundant, is critical to maximizing our full potential and finding prosperity and real happiness in our lives.

As Ben then goes on to say, “Hope” can be defined as an optimistic state of mind that expects positive things to happen in the future. Driving up Interstate 93 from Boston to New Hampshire this evening, I sat in my fair share of commuter traffic on the Zakim Bridge and then again at the Interstate 95 split. I was in a hurry to assist my wife with the bedtime routine for our children, and out of frustration I began to run less than pious phrases through my mind about my fellow four-wheeled opponents as we all jockeyed for position in the race back home. Luckily, during my angry quest for victory, I was reminded of an amazing life tip from the famous Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. In his bestselling book The Power of Positive Thinking, Dr. Peale challenges his readers to speak positively on everything that happens during a full 24-hour day. And so, in that moment of unease, I decided to set out to accomplish my mentor’s worthy demand.

I disengaged from the amazing race and instead began to run positive affirmations about my fellow countrymen as we embarked together on our journey home back to “live free or die” land. I began to notice the different types of cars, trucks, and jeeps on the road. I soon also noticed the beautiful colors and detailing of some of the vehicles and was warmed by the many bumper stickers on cars that saluted their children’s accomplishments. Not long after this, I began to truly appreciate and run positive thoughts through my mind about the beautiful tall pine trees and the thick strong maple leaves on the branches that glistened in the setting sun. As I passed the border into the Granite State, I thought of the many parents who, like I had earlier that morning, rose early and worked diligently throughout the day to support their children’s dreams. Even more positive thoughts began flooding my mind about the sacrifices of our men and women in the armed services, our police, firefighters, and EMTs. By the time I returned home, my heart was full of hope and gratitude as I rushed inside to hold my daughters in warm hugs and to specifically tell them how lucky I am to be their dad.

It is absolutely amazing to witness and experience the significant and almost magical changes that living with perpetual hope can bring. Sure, we will all backslide into a ball of nerves and maybe even a touch of anger at times when life throws its worst at us, but as my friend Norman challenged me and others in his book, I challenge you to speak positively on everything for 24 hours. Give it a shot! At first it may seem trite and a bit inauthentic, but if you grind out that full day of optimistic affirmations, hope will lead you to an amazing place.

We thank, Ben, for these inspiring thoughts – and urge you to give his 24 ‘challenge’ a try.

Quote of the Week

"Once you choose hope, anything's possible." — Christopher Reeve

Jay Lucas | www.JayLucas.us

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