Feel Good Tuesday ~ The 3 Faces of Hopefulness, Part 3

Developing a sense of hopefulness helps us to maintain a positive focus on the future.

Hopefulness has many facets. The three most important are these: a sense of purpose, a devotion to service, and a sense of faith.

Today’s focus: faith.

Faith means a positive focus on a belief, trust, and power outside of yourself.

Our culture tells us that: Seeing is believing. The truth is: Believing is seeing.

Faith offers us the ability and power to be future focused—the ability to trust and keep our eyes on the prize… even when others can’t “see” what we see. Dr. King reminds us that “faith is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.” Indeed, faith is about building the bridge, even as we walk across it.

What is the rhythm of faith in your life? What must you let go of, so that you can be faithful to what is calling you–now?

Pass It On!

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Feel Good Tuesday ~ The 3 Faces of Hopefulness, Part 2

Developing a sense of hopefulness helps us maintain a positive focus on the future.

Hopefulness has many facets. Three of the most important are: a sense of purpose, a devotion to service, and a sense of faith.

Today’s focus: Service.

Service: a positive focus on others. Making a positive difference in another person’s life offers a double blessing. When you give your time, love, and energy to others, they receive a gift… and so do you. Your gift is the pleasure and sheer joy that comes from being of service to someone else.

I’m delighted that our young people are growing up to be givers, to understand what it means and what  it takes to serve others—their family members, neighbors, as well as our sisters and brothers around the world.

Growing up, my mom and dad taught me and my sisters that wealth had nothing to do with possessions. True wealth meant valuing yourself and others. True wealth was understanding that we’re all part of the same blessed community and that our number one concern is caring for and helping one another. Serving takes the focus off ourselves and turn it others—towards helping, supporting, and nurturing someone else’s hopes and dreams.

Service is giving to others without expectation of reward. You just do it because it’s the right thing to do. You do it because it feels good. A few years ago, I was blessed to plant a few trees at a school in Kenya. I planted one in honor Maurice, a young student. Just the other day, he sent me an e-mail to let me know that “my” tree is growing well.  Made my day!

When you focus on others, you naturally concentrate on the future. How are you serving someone else today? How are you passing on your values to others?

Pass It On!

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