The Power of Hope
“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.”
–Anne Lamott
Every month of every year has its ups and downs. Me – I’m looking forward to a Thanksgiving filled with food, family and friends, and then all the twinkly sights and jingly sounds of the holiday season that follows.
Recognizing the Hardships
I know, too, that these are hard weeks for many. I know lots of people who are worried, grieving and/or suffering. Sometimes the holidays emphasize and enlarge the empty spaces in our lives where there used to be love, abundance, or optimism.
Not trying to bring you down. But the truth is, since we work in estate planning, we have a pretty healthy relationship with worry and grief. We know better than to take things for granted. And we get to see human strength and resilience in action every day.
Finding Light in Estate Planning
Yes, estate planning involves some tough conversations about some unpleasant realities. But the flip side of that is that we get to shine light on all the possibilities and options people have. We get to fuel hope from inside the dark.
Cultivating Gratitude and Hope
Gratitude also begins in the dark. We only appreciate things when we picture the world without them and understand it would be worse.
Gratitude and hope are a choice; practices we can cultivate and strengthen over time. They are both small, fragile flames that we decide to keep lit.
According to a 2023 survey by the American Psychological Association, 67% of Americans report that practicing gratitude significantly improves their mental health during the holiday season.
Here are a few ways to cultivate hope and gratitude:
- Reflect on moments of joy and connection in your life.
- Practice gratitude journaling to note things you appreciate.
- Spend time with loved ones or help others in need.
At Ingle Law, we are grateful for the opportunity to do the work we do with the people we know. We’re grateful for every single one of you on this list. We know you’re caring and curious people, who think about how best to do what’s best for your loved ones, and your world.
Embracing the Holiday Season
I don’t know if your Thanksgiving will be warm and wonderful, stressful, crowded and confrontational, cold and lonely, happy, or sad. Maybe it will be all of that.
When it’s warm and wonderful, give thanks. Enjoy and appreciate all the good things you can see, hear and feel around you. When it’s cold and lonely, have hope. Keep showing up and know that a new day will dawn.
If you ever need a little help finding gratitude or hope, let us know. We’re good at those, too.
If you’re ready to explore your planning goals and create a strategy that brings clarity, security, and peace of mind for you and your loved ones, we’re here to help. Schedule a Planning Goals Discovery Session today and take the first step toward a brighter future.
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