Hope for the Future
I was struck by the feeling that we are hoping for positive changes in the coming year. I believe that each step we take towards meeting our goals and our "hopes" is very fulfilling. While we live in a time of uncertainty and challenges, the presence of hope can make a huge difference.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines hope as the "desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment." We all understand the first part of the definition where we want something to happen or to become true. How often do we say "I hope you feel better soon" or "I hope you have a nice vacation." Children will say, "I hope you come to my birthday party." We are also faced with critical desires such as "I hope I get that new job" or "I hope I get into that college." It is our human nature to look forward in time and want something positive to happen.
Looking at the second part of the definition, there is an element of "expectation or belief in fulfillment." This is important because it implies the presence of trust that the desire will materialize. It is also a call to action. If we have reasonable expectations that we are making the efforts to make our desire for change happen then we can be "hopeful." Just hoping is not enough. We must act. But most of all, we must trust in one another.
In order for the new job to come through, we need to make the effort to prepare for the new job interview, network with similarly employed colleagues, know the material, and gain some experience to demonstrate motivation, potential, and capability. We must trust that our professors taught us the right material, and that our colleagues have grown to respect our efforts. Working in an environment where trust is inherent brings many rewards.
In Dr. Suzuki's book, Ability Development from Age Zero, he describes "The speed of a great person is different. If they think that they can do something, they finish it off immediately..." That is, Dr. Suzuki advises that one should "act when one thinks." By attending to something right away and not putting it off, things get done more quickly. Likewise, stress does not build up by something that was put off until later. Dr. Suzuki believed in a call to action as a means to to positive results.
As parents, our most important responsibility may be to raise our children well. Although we may push them to get terrific grades in school, excel in sports and mathematics, or take music lessons, our most important role is to love them and to nurture them to be kind hearted and good human beings. Although we may say we want our children to have successful careers--have monetary success--more importantly if they are admirable in character, learn to work hard and be caring people, then we will have parenting success. If we all accomplish this, then we can trust in our children that they will succeed. Furthermore, this trust and belief in them builds the child's self-esteem. Adults can model the act of doing. We can take the time to build good character in our children, and they will give us hope for the future.