“Summer Breeze, Summer Wind”, and “Summer in the City” are just two songs that may have given us hope for the summer season. Hope is all around us; however, some may find it 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 step by step), 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 favourite 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 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, giving me hope to get to the next step. It did not always help, but I might feel or still be stuck if I did not try.
Eventually, looking for hope and the idea and the concept of “hope rewards” was successful for me 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”
Like a song from The Beatles, hope can be “Here, There and Everywhere”; 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 they get from physical activities gives them hope. They will run, jog, walk in a park, bike ride, hike up a hill or swim.
Hey, I like to walk on the boardwalk or go to a pool. Or if you are sun sensitive, go to an indoor pool, exercise, or go to a weight room and/or relax in a sauna. If physical pursuits do not make you hopeful, try reading a book on self-help, going to a relaxing movie, listening to positive music, or talking on the phone.
No matter the season, find something we like to do that is enjoyable and 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 inner and outer strengths, each an integral part of making ourselves. The general rule is always to try as hard as possible, even if it seems 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. Always be honest with ourselves and others, which can lead to a more hopeful situation for all concerned. Always remind ourselves to keep hoping, dreaming, or whatever makes us more hopeful.
All of us can do this. I did.
Summer is meant for hope, plus positive thinking and dreams. So, what are we dreaming about this year? It must be realistic, to be possible and to be attained. To all, enjoy the summer, we deserve this, and I will do my best to do the same.
Howard Diamond is a New York State-certified peer specialist from Long Island.
