staying hopeful in hopeless times

How do you keep your hope alive?

Yesterday I was speaking at a conference for university students on how to change the world through entrepreneurship. I love working with young people. It gives me so much hope.

One of the topics was on how to stay hopeful in seemingly hopeless times. 

Pause. Take a breath. Check-in with yourself —

Do you feel hopeless sometimes? Does the pain and suffering in the world keep you up at night? Does it make you feel anger, stress, heartache? Do you feel powerless at times?

If you answered yes, you’re not alone. I’m with you too.

When you hang out in the space of social change, you choose a purpose-driven life. It’s one that includes:

Caring about things and people… a lot.

Facing apathy. Every single day.

Working long days. Exhaustion and burnout are real.

Going against the grain and status quo thinking and operating.

Giving your whole being to the ‘cause.’

It’s not the easy path, and I promise it’s the one that fills you in ways beyond measure.

While not easy, it is possible to find a sustainable path. One that is impactful — and that brings you wellness, ease and joy. That’s why I do what I do.

When you lose hope, you lose everything. Hopelessness feeds burn out, stress, anger, resentment, depression, and more. And when the pain in the world is rising, hope becomes a fragile thing that is so needed.

How to keep your hope alive

With the amazing future leaders and entrepreneurs, I share three ways I keep my hope alive. True to my approach, these are simple and powerful practices you can start doing right now.

“Hold fast to dreams,
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird,
That cannot fly.” 
― Langston Hughes

200-year life cycle

Someone once told me that your life has a 200-year span of impact. Your actions today are a culmination of the 100 years that came before you and ripple out into the 100 years that come after you. Thinking in a 200-year window is hopeful because it takes you out of what’s happening right now and into what’s possible over the course of two lifetimes.

Stand where you are right now. Breathe in. Now, look into the past 100 years to the time your grandparents were born. Where are moments of hope? What positive change has already happened?

Take a new breath. Look into the future 100 years from today, to when you are a grey-haired human looking back on your life. That’s the length of time your life has the power to impact. What’s possible?

Inner circle of three

I have found that a solid inner circle of three is a game changer. Three close friends who make you laugh, champion your dreams, support you with healthy ways to feel your feels, and have your back when you stand for what matters to you. We can’t do it alone. We know this yet still we try to carry big backpacks and climb big mountains on our own.

You know what it’s like when you can call that person who will be there for whatever you need. Lean into them.

Focus on fundamentals

Fundamentals: food, sleep, water, movement. If you are struggling to keep your body functional, hope will be harder to find. It may sound really basic and cliché, and there’s a reason for that. You know that when you’re rested, you’re more calm, clear and strong. Prioritize your body and you will find hope naturally flows back, as well as so many other amazing things you feel when you have a great sleep, meal or workout.

Stay steady. The world needs you right here.