Hope-filled: Bringing Light to Others

For those of us who are privileged, it is not difficult to be hope-filled. This struck me this morning as I meditated: I can be hopeful because I have been given much.

What about the vast majority of people who struggle to make ends meet, who struggle with famine and war, who are ill and lonely, who worry constantly about today's challenges? How do they have hope?

I would imagine it is a struggle from moment to moment. As humans, we want to have hope but often, life appears bleak and we don't see any hope. I think, as a person of privilege, that I am called to step up to be a bringer of hope. How  do I do that?

I think we start from a place of gratitude, thankful for all that we have. Focusing on gratitude daily in our thoughts, our prayers, and our actions, helps us to see our abundance and just how much we have to share.

This, in turn, leads us to action, to the realization that we need to share this abundance with those who have less. 

In this Advent and Christmas season, often called "the most wonderful time of the year", many struggle to feel hopeful. Many are struggling with grief, loneliness, lack of the essentials, and uncertainty for their futures. 

Let's share our plenty by:

1) Being truly present to others (without our devices in our hands).

2) Listening to stories of pain and struggles without judgement or interruption.

3) Sharing our food, our warm clothing, our help, our time.

4) Smiling and greeting people we meet in our day-to-day interactions.

5) Focusing our wealth on those who really are in need rather than our own desire for gifts and gift-giving. 

6) Making memories and experiences of hope for those who really need it.

For those who are struggling for so many reasons, being seen, heard, and taken care of, helps them to see their worth, to see hope.

Let's be the bringers of this light and hope in this season of anticipation and joy!