The Hope Muscle

#74

Friends,

I’ve been thinking a lot about hope lately. What it is, how we have it, how it works, what happens when we don’t have it.

Thinking about the concept of hope is immensely different than being hopeful. And I’m guessing you are less interested in concepts than experiencing hope.

We wish hope was a drug that we could take, but the reality is that hope is a muscle to build. And building that hope muscle takes time.

You know that old saying about trees? The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is today. The same thing is true about building hope. The second best time to work on your hope muscle is today.

What are some exercises for your hope muscles?

1. Deep Breathing- You know those slow, deep breaths that people talk about? Yea, do those. It helps to center us from the chaos of pain to a grounded reality.

2. Gratitude- Name and notice the good before and around us. It helps us to focus on the positives that are around us.

3. Community- We are designed for community. Who can you share your burden with? Who’s burden can you share?

4. Tell the Good Story- What is the story that you are telling yourself? If you see this as a story of perseverance, you can grow in your character. If you see this as a story of suffering alone, you will grow in despair.

There are other things you can do to build your hope muscle, but this is a start. Like any workout plan, you have to do it for a month or so to start seeing results, but it’ll be worth it.

Love,

Aaron

P.S. A bonus number 5. Be a part of this community! I send these letters out on Monday and Wednesday, and then I write a special “Red Letters to a Weary Soul” on Fridays for our paid subscribers. I’d love the opportunity to encourage you!