If You Lack Hope, Find Something To Do

There is something to be said about when we selflessly give to another and do our small part to ease their suffering. There is just something inherently good about giving those types of gifts. I believe that, while we a helping another feel a little better about who they are we are subconsciously reminding ourselves that we have goodness within us too even though we may feel hopeless at times.

I say this as a “matter of fact” kind of statement (which I try to avoid in most instances) as I have seen first hand that this power of contribution can be as much as a gift to another as it is one to yourself. The good news is, it’s easy. Maybe you are that person who is a great listener, do you even realize how many out there today and desperately craving for someone just to hear their story? That’s it, could be as simple as a phone call. Other’s volunteer by giving their time to a cause they feel important in their local community. I dare you to try working at food bank or serving meals at a community support center, I can promise you, at least while you are there, you will be less focused on your own challenges and be, not only filling another’s emotional bucket, but topping up your own during the process.

This can build hope, even though it may feel elusive right now. Your time, your service, your giving of money are all value builders within yourself. I assure you that, if you dedicate some consistent part of your day, week or month in service to others, you will not need to seek out any outside accolades or validation, it just arrives in that warm feeling and the still small voice that is there to remind you that what you are doing is an absolute good and your life has had more value to those you choose to serve far beyond what you may ever know or think.

During the depths of my own grieving I wrote my first book and, for those of you who have read it, you may remember me saying that if it helps just one, it would have been well worth the endeavor. Now, did writing a book “fix” everything? Of course not, but that act of contribution in hopes I could help another suffering a similar challenge gave me purpose and finding a purpose eventually gave me a hope for the future. Again, not right away and to this day it is still a work in progress, but believe me it works.

You will find your place of contribution and I challenge you today to do just that, to find a way to be of service to others as I truly believe the gift you become to others will be an even bigger gift to yourself.

That may be the very way you restore hope in your own future.