The Power Of Hope - 2 Keep Perspective

2. Keep the storm in perspective

Remember what a thunderstorm sounded like as a child? To this day, I remember climbing under the family kitchen table whenever the lightning and thunder came. As an adult, I no longer hide under the table when storms come, but when my children were younger; they sought out some level of security during one. When the storms of life crash around us, they are often amplified or magnified. Perspective is lost and our life can become overwhelmed by the deafening sound of circumstances.

Human nature has a habit of reading the final pages of the story, rather than keeping the whole book in context. Here are some keys to keeping perspective:

a) Keep your inner thoughts (or self talk) regulated and positive. (It is so easy for us to allow our imagination to create an atmosphere of anxiety and fear. Faith and Fear share the same characteristics. We imagine than which we cannot see and when our enrgies are focussed on that which we believe we live in the realm of Faith or Fear. Positive affirmation either mobilises or immobilises us.

b) Recall the successful storms you have navigated in the past. There is no greater source of encouragement than bringing to memory that which we succeeded at. Recalling the "wins" in life, go a long way to overshadowing the "losses" Finding those who have been through storms is always a great strength to us. I recall when we were having our first baby, the nurses advice seemed shallow due to her childless status. The advice from a mother who had four children carried far more weight. Why? There is nothing like life experience that is gained from going through the experience.

c) Live a life prepared for storms. They will come, but don’t live in fear of them. No experienced sailor heads out to seas, without first preparing for a strom. Doesn't matter if the storm doean't come, but you beetter have the gear and boat prepared for one. Preparation is always the key to success. He who is successful in life, carries with them the magnet of preparation. Preparation draws success to us. Lack of preparation leaves us vulnerable and open to unfavouravble outcomes.

d) There are others facing greater storms than our storm, why not help them? Peripheral vision is essential to true perspective. Being aware of those around us whilst being focussed on the big picture, is a great source of empowerment. My mum always used to say "I used to complain about not having shoes until I saw a man with no feet". There are always those around us in greater need than ourself and the principle of "sowing and reaping" is true. You cant always take out of the gorund unless we put something back. Its true of farming and its true of life. Look for others in need and your problems lessen.  

Below is the word HOPE in twenty language.