Insights 12: Creating hope in tough times!

Thoughtful quotations:

“We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope” Martin Luther King

“It is only in our darkest hour that we discover true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never be dimmed” Doe Zantamata

“Just as despair often comes from other human beings, hope, too, is given by other human beings” Elie Weisel

“If you don’t like something change it, if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it” Mary Engelbreit

Context for reflection:

The past 18 months have been exceptionally tough, a marathon of stress and strain, but the past week in South Africa has been devastating and shown the horror of human frailty. Without begging the detail, it almost feels too awful to contemplate or deal with. It is possible to turn tail and begin to sail! But there is another choice. Consider that glimmer of hope, that brilliant light that cannot be dimmed.

Two of these quotes speak of “hope”. Through hope we build faith / belief for something better. For in every crisis and insecurity there is always opportunity. We either live in hope, belief and love or doubt, fear and anger. Take your pick!

We have all lived through an extended period of enormous emotional stress, coped with massive change thrust upon us at short notice and coped. However, many of us are battle weary from the long-term trauma we have endured. Whilst there is no quick fix, there are ways to face our anxiety and win again. Our healing, however, lies in hearing, sharing and collaborating around our truth. We each have a different reality. We can choose to shy away from what we or other's experience or look to work creatively and collectively in seeking to understand, give hope and to serve.

A few question to contemplate:

• How closely do we listen for what people mean? What stressors and strains does your team face? What do they need from you as their leader?

• Have you held informal, open conversations about your team’s real-life experiences or is it too busy and business as usual? 

• How and where do we sow seeds of hope and belief?

Drafted in all humility as I continue my journey of discovery. It is indeed challenging, with so much to remember and learn.

Andrew Pons

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