Hope is the thing with feathers; That perches in the soul;
And sings the tune without the words; And never stops at all.
Emily Dickinson, poet
As we struggle with the physical and emotional pains of life, hope is our best medicine. Hope gives us the sense that things will work out. I hold this belief in the value of hope based on my own life experiences and the stories of others.
Dr. Jerome Groopman, who holds a chair in medicine at Harvard, writes in his book, The Anatomy of Hope, “Hope gives us the courage to confront our circumstances and the capacity to surmount them. For all my patients, hope, true hope, has proved as important as any medication I might prescribe or any procedure I might perform.” If your hope is waning, search for “the thing with feathers,” as Dickinson so eloquently writes. Chase hope down, then hold it fast. Never give up hope.
Affirmation: I am filled with hope.
Coaching questions: How has having hope served you in the past? How can it serve you now? If you’re feeling low on hope, where can you get a recharge? What can you read, to whom can you speak or pray?
Life after losing a mother 