WOW Word-Of-the-Week #280: Hope
December 5, 2009 by Susan Clarke
Hope – the feeling that what is wanted can be had.
Is there something that you hope will happen in your life? Do you have the feeling that it is truly possible? Is there something you can do to move closer toward that possibility?
With the Holiday Season upon us it felt appropriate to rerun this WOW from last year. One thing I shy away from is speaking or writing about religion and politics. However, one of the hottest pastors and authors today is Joel Osteen. His latest book is titled, “Become a Better You.”
When asked what his secret is, Osteen says, “I don’t know if this is the only reason, but I think what I give them is hope. There’s a lot of negative trying to pull people down.”
Boy, is that truth! Just watch the news. Osteen’s goal is for people to walk away “feeling hope, feeling inspired to be better people, to be better parents.”
Sandi Dolbee, of the San Diego Union Tribune writes, “His critics see him more as a motivational speaker than Christian preacher. He encourages people to stop worrying and start expecting that good things will come.”
Osteen says, “You have to conceive it on the inside before you can receive it on the outside.”
Well, I say, “Amen to Joel!” This week focus on those things that you want. What negative thoughts can you let go of? What could you do to be a better person and/or parent? Can you allow yourself to expect that good things lie ahead?
Reader Responses
We have to keep hope alive. We do not watch the network newscasts or the local news. Many of the stories that are broadcast have to do with murder and mayhem. Also, it seems that life’s losers wind up in the headlines. Which is too bad, because there is so much more good in this world than bad. However, the old adage that “If it bleeds, it leads” is very apropos. What we try to do is make sure that we give our daughters positive examples in our everyday lives, and help them to have faith and hope that the best is yet to come. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who, for one reason or another, are just negative. It is too bad. We are only here for a short time and we have to look forward to each day because we don’t know what will happen in our lives. I have always believed that each day is like an entire lifetime because of all of the possibilities out there. Another adage that I follow is, “If you can see it, you can achieve it.” As you noted, it has to come from within. I try to keep that positive attitude every day at work with my co-workers. In many instances, I just try to make them smile. If I can do that, whatever I have inside has made them feel good. We have to ability, if we choose to use it, to touch other people’s lives for the better. We can do it, but we need to take the time. My wife and two daughters give me great hope for the future. Every day my dreams come true. Thanks, Susan. I am getting ready to send out my holiday cards, which is one of my favorite parts of Christmas. It gives me a chance to touch those people with whom I have had limited contact during the year. Also, Santa Claus is going to call my eight-year-old daughter at dinner time. I am also sending the letter Erin Grace wrote to St. Nick at lunch time. Take care. “Warrior” Joe Moran.
Great, as usual. I watch Joel Osteen sometimes, Marilyn turned him on to me. He’s very good. Hope you are having a great time on your trip to Panama. love, Elaine