HOPE RISING
by Nikki Holmes, M.Ed.
Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate
Supervised by Sunetra Martinez, LPC-S
I feel it’s important to share HOPE with anyone who is open to hearing a little bit about the uplifting concept of HOPE. I capitalize each letter, because for me it represents an acronym. HOPE is a personal value of mine. It’s what led me to choose counseling as a profession. I whole-heartedly believe there is always HOPE. There is always a way out of a seemingly impossible circumstance. HOPE can be a lifesaver.
That takes us to the HOPE acronym. What does it stand for-at least in my world? H: Help is here. O: Optimism P: Purpose E: Engagement. I want to encourage you to be a bit courageous and take the first step, if you feel like you are lacking Hope. The first step is asking for help. Why is that so hard? There are a lot of reasons that asking for help can be a challenge. Whatever yours are, let them go. Give yourself permission to say, “My happiness, peace of mind, freedom from______ (you fill in the blank) is worth me asking for help.”
So, what’s next? I want to encourage you to be optimistic. Be optimistic that change is possible, help will actually help, there is more to life than feeling trapped by pain, held down by experiences, being held captive by your circumstances. Be optimistic that you are in control of so much more than you recognize. I’m hopeful you can find freedom.
Once you’ve decided that you are going to be brave and ask for help, optimistic that there is better out there for you, you will find your purpose. What where you put on the earth to accomplish? I not only believe that you have a purpose, but that the purpose is something you’re naturally good at, something you naturally enjoy. Give yourself permission to explore that.
Finally, I encourage you to engage with others. We are designed for connection with each other, not digitally, but relationally. You will find that once you begin to engage with others in ways that are fun and positive, your stress levels will decrease.
HOPE means knowing you’re not alone, there is more to your life than how it seems right now. I encourage you to take that first step to becoming more HOPEful.