Sowing & Harvesting Hope: From the Depths of Despair to the Peaks of Possibility

Abstract: Hope is a bridge – a vivid, robust connection between the you of today and the you of tomorrow. In the murk of depression, this bridge often fades, leaving you stranded in the now, unable to reach the future. But you can rebuild this bridge. It’s about clarity, desire, and action – a blend of emotional and rational ties to a future you can not only imagine but practically step into.

Hope = the emotional connection and rational connection you build between now and future--only bigger and better

You are excited, even love such a future. You believe such a future is attainable to you. You are hopeful.

In depression, Hopelessness clouds the vision of a better future and clips the connection between the Now-You and the Future-You, emotionally and rationally.

Hopelessness = in depression future vision is clouded and connections are clipped

How to restore hope?

Simple.

1. ‘Clarify it’: re-draw a crystal clear future, so that you can see it, you can speak about it, you can even feel it--whether you sleep or awake.

Include specifics – where are you, who’s there, what does success feel like? The more detailed, the more tangible to you.

2. ‘Want it’: Encourage yourself to desire again, to dream again and to drive again, toward a bigger and better future.

3. ‘Make it’: consistently learn new knowledge, deliberately practice new skills, and intentionally nurture essential relationships, so that both your qualities and your connections are aligned with that better future.

Rethink Hope: more than desire and belief for a better future

- Hope is a relationship between Now-You and Future-You: Strengthen this relationship. Clear, strong, and frequent interactions mean a closer future.

- Hope is a relationship between God and You: When you are confident that God is always good and He is always good to you, you can restfully trust him to take care of the sphere out of your reach; you can also trust Him to empower you to be better in the sphere within your reach.

- Hope is a set of skills you can learn: What knowledge, skills, and social connections will be essential for a Better Future? They are the non-urgent but important things you can invest in daily, weekly, and monthly. Let the famous compound law work magic for you.

- Hope is a set of mental models you can build, trust, and apply to navigate complex situations. To name a few

1. Abundant Mindset focuses on the possibilities of the future rather than the limitations. This mindset fuels hope by encouraging individuals to see beyond current challenges and envision a world of endless possibilities.
2. Innovation & Problem Solving emphasizes the importance of innovative thinking and problem-solving. In transforming hope into action, this involves not just wishing for better outcomes, but actively seeking and creating solutions to the challenges at hand.
3. Collaboration and Openness are about drawing on collective wisdom and resources to achieve goals that may seem impossible to accomplish alone.
4. Risk-taking and Failure Tolerance involves taking calculated risks and viewing failures as opportunities for learning and growth, rather than as setbacks.

They’re your compasses guiding you to a better and bigger future. Your hope is getting better and bigger when you use them day after day!

ReVision Hope: 99.999% vs. 0.001%

God’s got the macro 99.999%--the vast sphere you are put in. He is wise and powerful enough to handle so that for you no worries but be thankful!

You’ve got the micro 0.001%--the unique sphere selected for you to play. So no need to compare yourself with others; no need for you to pretend to be others. "Be focused, be flexible, have fun"

He’s handling the vast universe; you focus on your unique 0.001% slice, armed with talent and divine support.

Now, consider it again...

What could even prevent you from looking forward with joy?

What could even stop you from looking up with gratitude?

Action Points:

1. Visualize Daily: Spend time each day talking to the Future-You, who encourages, inspires, and enables the Now-You wherever you are now.

2. Grow Skill & Knowledge: Weekly, prioritize what skills you are going to practice deliberately, and what area you will dig deep into.

3. Network Intentionally: Regularly talk and work with your Honeycomb team (mentors/teammates/apprentices) who are moving forward with you at that stage of life.

4. Reflect and Adjust: Regularly, reassess your pathways, policies, priorities, and partners. Pivot as needed.

Hope isn’t just a fleeting feeling and unsubstantiated belief. It’s vibrant relationships, actionable skills, and refinable mindsets that you can grow, nurture, and excel.

Sow the seeds of hope today and harvest the fruits of hope tomorrow. With confidence, you can pass from the Depths of Despair and reach the Peaks of Possibility.