This week: What Gives You Hope? Edited by: Kit  
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It's not always easy to feel hopeful. Fortunately, there's still plenty of good in the world.
What gives you hope when you're feeling down?
This week's Spiritual Newsletter is all about those who step up, and why that includes you.
Kit |
I don’t know about you, but when I look at the news I can feel quite discouraged. There’s a lot of hate out there, and violence, and political tension. Over here companies are apparently preparing for World War III and that’s not cheering. Then there’s pollution, and there are species going extinct, and there are microplastics everywhere, even in our brains, and the quality of food seems to be going ever down, even though prices keep on going up everywhere. Privacy is eroding. Scammers are ever-present. People are horrid to each other on social media. There’s misinformation and disinformation and everyone’s dividing themselves into groups who don’t like the other for no apparent reason… I sometimes just switch off, because none of that is good for the soul. Trouble is, whether I watch it or not, it’s happening.
At times like that I have to remind myself that there’s hope. Now, I understand that what gives people hope differs from person to person, but here are some of my hopeful things – for lack of a better term – that keep me going when I’m dwelling in that cloud of despair. Perhaps they will be of help to you, too.
The People Who Step Up:
Whenever there’s a disaster, be it natural or man-made, there are people who step up. They’re the ones who go out and rescue lives in a fire or a flood. The ones who offer shelter or cook food. The ones who travel to another country to rescue and rebuild. They’re also the ones who donate money and food, and the ones who organise these collections. They’re the ones who spread the word. The ones who pray. Not everyone is in a place to physically or financially contribute – what matters most is that people care. That, instead of ignoring the situation, they do what they can to alleviate suffering. That matters, and it gives me hope about the good in humanity.
The Ones Who Don’t Walk By:
On the same note, there are those who see what’s going on around them and reach out. They are the ones who organise a collection when a family’s house has burned down – and those who donate. The ones who know that someone has suffered a loss and bring a meal to their door. The ones who hear that the fighting and the shouting next-door has turned into something more and choose to call the police rather than ignore it. The ones who organise food and shelter for the homeless people in the area; the ones who stop and have a chat with a homeless person; the ones who see them as another human being and offer them choice.
I’ve often heard homeless people being called ungrateful when they decline an item of food or drink. The one who offered it is offended, and suspicious of the person’s motives. And maybe they’re right to be but, also, maybe the person’s allergic to the ingredients, or maybe they really, really don’t like it. But if they’re hungry enough they’ll eat anything, you might think, and sure. But then I think of what it would take for me to eat mushroom soup – a food item that makes me nauseous when I even picture it. I can’t stand the flavour, nor the texture. Maybe, if I were homeless, I’d have to be gracious and accept it so that the kind person who gave it to me would think well of me, but it’d be a complete waste. And what if they now think I love mushroom soup and get it again? I’d prefer it if they asked, then I’d get chicken soup instead. And that would make me feel seen, and heard, and human… someone with choices. So, my apologies for the brief detour here, but the ones who give others choices give me hope.
The Ones Who Clean Up the World:
There are some wonderful efforts being made to help clean the world. Amazing projects to remove plastics and other waste from the oceans, clean our beaches and free our rivers from pollution. The news too often only reports on the bad that’s going on, but there are good stories out there.
More locally there are various groups cleaning and tidying woods and streams. It can be discouraging to see some people litter wherever they go, so I am thankful for the people who clean up their area, and to those who clean up after themselves. I do my bit by not littering and have been known to pick up stray items I come across on my walks.
The Ones Who Champion Nature:
Beavers are back in Britain. There are other species being considered for reintroduction, such as the elk and lynx. Areas are being rewilded to improve biodiversity and allow nature to thrive.
It doesn’t take much to help nature. There are plenty of tree planting schemes. Awareness is spreading about artificial grass and the benefits of a more natural lawn. There are plenty of plants and bushes that are of great benefit to bees and butterflies. Even a balcony can hold a couple of potted plants and that helps, and looks nice!
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When I think along those lines I begin to see more and more good. It’s when I am reminded that, in fact, most people do good on a daily basis. Holding the door open for the person behind you. Giving up a public transport seat to someone who needs it more. Allowing someone with just one item to skip ahead of you in the queue when you’re doing your weekly shop. Even a simple smile to a cashier can make a difference to that person’s day.
It all matters, you know. It may not feel like it, but it does. As long as there’s good in the world, there’s hope. Thankfully, there’s plenty of it left. We just have to remember all the good that we’re capable of.
I wish you a wonderful week,
Kit
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Some items to enjoy:
| | | Stewardship (E)
What mom taught me about humanity's relationship with nature
#2339095 by Spud  |
Some activities that may inspire you:
And don't forget:
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Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Spiritual Newsletter Team
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Spiritual: June 04, 2025 Issue [#13164]
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