My friend Marques shared a message where he talked about having genuine hope over hype.

As he said, Hype abandons you in tough times but hope and faith are what will get you to the other side.

Unfortunately, our country appears to be addicted to hype and not that interested in hope for the days ahead.

Hype is an intense stimulation that works short term.  It isn’t sustainable and it’s designed to produce reactions that will give you a high but as we all know, what goes up must come down.

In Hip Hop music the hype man is the one who gets the artist and the crowd all riled up. They also emphasize the really “hot” parts of the song.

Nobody goes to a show to see the hype man and half the time nobody even remembers what the hype man’s name is. (Well except for Flava Flav but that’s the exception)

Why? The hype man is there to create an atmosphere for the artist and that’s it.  The hype man’s product isn’t what will last and what will stick with the people.

A few years ago in the self-improvement space where it seemed that all you needed was a big beard, tattoos, and a loud voice.  These men hosted events where they screamed the F word a lot at participants to motivate them to do better.

While this may have fired participants up for the short-term and provided them with intense short-term stimulation and making them feel like something was happening.

I seriously doubt this helped people when times got hard and they needed hope for the days ahead.

Similarly, as people yell at each other on Facebook, on television shows, and in the grocery store this may provide short-term stimulation but it’s not going to provide much hope for the days ahead.

We must stop the addiction to temporary highs of stimulation and instead focus on substantive and sustainable ways to look for hope in the days ahead.

Ways to Look for Hope in the Days Ahead

Manage your Expectations

This is at the top of the list.  Be hopeful but realistic. Pandemics and other serious problems don’t disappear quickly so prepare for the long haul.

Denying reality and “Happy Talk” also isn’t providing hope.  Hope says the days will be tough but we will get through it.

Take Care of Yourself Mentally, Physically, and Emotionally

  • Don’t wallow in isolation.  Seek out mental health professionals if you need to.
  • Eat nutrient dense meals
  • Exercise
  • Get outside and walk
  • Get fresh air
  • Estabilish a regular sleep schedule
  • Put the electronics down.

Check on Neighbors and Care about the Needs of Others

A phone call, a zoom call, or even a physically distanced visit with people can really help lift the spirits. Many people are struggling during this time.  One way for you to find hope is to be a source of hope for others. You’ll be encouraging someone else and find yourself being encouraged!

Make Wise Choices about where you go and what you do

Sometimes I get invitations to events and I turn them down because it’s not worth the risk for my situation.

Assess the risk factors and make choices out of care and concern for others and not fear.

Start a Gratitude List

Make a list of what you’re grateful for and share it with others.  The way it’s going, being alive is a great start!

Find a way to help those less fortunate

The food banks and kitchens are in need of donations because they’re expecting more people this Holiday Season.  A woman on Twitter said their food bank normally feeds 80-90 families per week.  That week they served 844 familes.

People are in need of help.

Avoid the Political Quagmire

This is easier said than done. I’ve seen people post something that isn’t even political and before you know it someone starts a political argument in the comments. Again this has more to do with our addiction to hype rather than providing hope.

 Read about past historical hardships

One of the best ways to gain perspective along with hope is to read about past hardships and take note that the people made it through.

Think about those poor folks post World War 1.  Not only did a generation of young men get decimated in the war, but then the Spanish Flu pandemic began as the war was winding down and 50 Million People died over the three year course of that pandemic.

Life went on.

Life will go on for us as well. No doubt It will be different but life will go on.

Hang in there!  There is Hope!