July 8, 2022
by Howard Diamond
“Summer Breeze, Summer Wind” and “Summer in the City” are just two of the songs that may have given us hope for the summer season. Hope is all around us; however, some of us may find it extremely difficult to know where or how to begin (on the journey towards hope). “Follow the fellow who follows a dream…”, may be the way to go. These lyrics from “Finian’s Rainbow” might inspire us to have hope to move ahead by going after someone or something we want.
We have to start somewhere in our journey. “Let’s start at the very beginning; a very good place to start.” from the song, “Do Re Mi”, from the musical, “Sound of Music”. Everything is done step by step, (not steps by steps) and the more we understand this, the more hope we can achieve. This is especially true for me this song, “In the Good Old Summertime” resonates here.
All trips have an entrance point, and each individual must find his/her own way. During my life, just like some of the cast of “The Wizard of Oz”, I tend to, “Follow the yellow brick road”, but I don’t end up in Emerald City. Maybe we all walk on the journey to success. Incorporated is one of my favorite statements, “Every journey starts with one step”. This is too idealistic for some, but it helps me be me.
Then, life for me remains practical. Also, we always need to do our best and, then and only then, can hope be realized. Try to relax and enjoy the journey. Please everyone go at our own pace; there is no rush to finish.
Remember, who won the race between the tortoise and the hare!
(The tortoise!)
How does one have hope when they are or feel stuck at the start? Find one or two techniques that worked for us before and try them again. One idea that achieved success for me is that I was encouraged that there would be rewards ahead. For every step I took, maybe I could feel better about myself and that gave me hope that I’d get to the next step. It did not always help, but if I did not try, I might feel or still be stuck. Eventually, looking for hope and the idea and the concept of “hope rewards” was successful for me, so I was able to move in a positive direction. Also, attempt not to get discouraged! Again, one step at a time. We will move ahead. I did!
As it was said by Reverend Jesse Jackson:
KEEP HOPE ALIVE!
KEEP HOPE ALIVE!
Like a song from The Beatles, hope can be, “Here, There and Everywhere”, plus we do our best to find hope. We need to try all the time, it does help us to get through the day much easier. During the summer, there are many more opportunities for hope and pleasure. Some people find that the energy one gets from doing physical activities gives them hope. They will run, jog, take a walk in a park, go for a bike ride, hike up a hill or go swimming. Hey, I just like to walk on the boardwalk or go to a pool. Or if you are sun sensitive, go to an indoor pool, exercise and or go to a weight room and/or relax in a sauna. If physical pursuits are not what make you hopeful, try reading a book on self-help, going to a relaxing movie or listening to positive music or
talk on the phone.
No matter the season, find something we like to do and that is enjoyable to us and that can turn into a hopeful moment for us. Now, can we see ourselves being more hopeful? Rally our strengths and this may assist in our quest. Yes, even, I have strengths. Remember, we have both inner strengths and outer strengths, each one an integral part of making who we are. The general rule is always trying as hard as we can, even if it seems to be almost impossible.
Doing this like the song from, “Man of La Mancha” says, “To dream the impossible dream”. This can be difficult but get started and try anyway. Build up slowly and give one another some hope one item at a time. Mostly, this works for me. Remember, hope builds on hope, which can carry us towards our ultimate “hope dream.” Also, success builds on success. At all times, just be honest with ourselves and others which can lead to a more hopeful situation for all concerned. Always remind ourselves to keep on hoping,9⁰) dreaming or whatever makes us feel like a more hopeful person inside and out.
ALL OF US CAN DO THIS! I DID!
Summer is meant for hopefulness plus positive thinking and dreams. So, what are we dreaming about this year? It must be realistic, to be possible and to be attained. Hmm, more in another piece? To all, enjoy the summer, we deserve this and I will do my best to do the same.
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Howard Diamond is a New York State Certified Peer Specialist from Long Island