Hope in Times of Uncertainty and Change

On a large scale, our nation (impacting the global community) is on the edge of transition and change, with the Obama Administration winding down and the Trump Administration revving up. I admit that I have gotten teary eyed thinking about the Obama family transition out of the White House. And also a little teary when Mr. President gave Joe Biden the Presidential Medal of Freedom. No matter the side of the aisle on which you sit or stand, there are compelling emotions when we see change and transitions happening on this large of a scale.

With change and transition, there is a level of uncertainty and fear. Often, this uncertainty and fear then comes out of us in ways that are not becoming to ourselves or our nation as a whole. People have lost friendships over this upcoming transition. Hate speech and hate crimes are reported more and more in the media. People are dismissive of each other and don't listen to what others, especially those on the other side of the aisle, have to say. When acting out of fear, there is a tendency to hide the fear under a blanket of anger to hide the real feelings that fear can bring up, such as anxiety or sadness.

There is another way we can gracefully face uncertain times of change and transition. That way is having hope. No matter who you voted for, most everyone during this time has hope for what is next for this country and the world.

What exactly is hope? 

• The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines hope as: 1) to cherish a desire with anticipation :  to want something to happen or be true 2) to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment. 
• According to Psychology Today,"Hope is not a brand new concept in psychology. In 1991, the eminent positive psychologist Charles R. Snyder and his colleagues came up with Hope Theory. According to their theory, hope consists of agency and pathways.  The person who has hope has the will and determination that goals will be achieved, and a set of different strategies at their disposal to reach their goals. Put simply: hope involves the will to get there, and different ways to get there"(www.psychologytoday.com).
• Christianity also teaches us that hope is one of the three theological virtues: Faith, Hope and Love.
• Finally, one of my favorites is from Emily Dickinson: 

The many definitions of hope can help us approach times of transition and change, especially when these times feel uncertain, or the change happens against your desires. Maybe you are facing a transition that is unwelcome: a job loss, a divorce, a death loss, financial disruption…where in this unwelcome transition can you find hope? Likewise, if the change is welcome and you have positive anticipation for what is next, what hopes do you have for this transition to have a successful outcome?

Even in the transition of power happening in this country this week, people from all sides of the aisle can find hope in that transition. You might hope your own life will improve by the promises of the President-elect. You might hope to face the policies proposed by this administration by protesting, engaging in activism and community organizing to make alternative change happen. However hope looks to you, it is the one thread we all have in common. Perhaps it may lead us to open up and listen to one another rather than dismiss each other out of fear and anger.