Hope doesn’t come from calculating whether the good news is winning out over the bad. It is simply a choice to take action.  - Anna Lappe

Hope, Faith and Support

These economic times have created a lot of fear and worry around the world.  We have a sense of uncertainty about what is going to happen.  We all are hoping things get better.  I have never been a huge fan of the word hope. When we hope we are waiting for something to happen that we have no control over. 

When I hope for things that I cannot control to happen, if they do not happen, I get disheartened. As the old saying goes, “Expectations breed disappointments.”  To me, hoping is passive. I prefer to look at situations and examine what actions I can take.  How can I make what is happening in my life better?

Sure, we all hope that the economic times get better, but the reality is that they might not.  We might face another terrible week in the markets.  This can and will affect jobs and employment. This can have an effect on our credit and cash position today. If I hope, that will not change what is happening. 

Decide today instead of just hope, that you will take action in your life.  Look to what you can do to improve what is going on in your life, and the world around you.

Faith

I am big believer in faith.  Faith is quite different from hope.  I have faith that no matter what happens, we will get though it.  Things will not be the same--maybe you cannot go out to dinner as often. Maybe many things will change. Maybe nothing will change except your net worth.  Regardless of the immediate circumstances, we should have faith that we will get through it.  That is where faith is different from hope.

I have faith that we can manage events and get into action to make things better.  Faith is something that no person or event can take away from you except yourself.  You can lose your faith by allowing yourself to delve into negative thinking by convincing yourself that things are so bad you cannot do anything.  When you start believing that things are totally out of your control, you feel helpless and you can lose your faith.

Whatever you lose, you can work to rebuild.  Wherever you are, you can enjoy friends and family.  Keep your faith, get into action, and stay positive.  How you think will effect how you handle life events.

Support

With faith, we need to believe and come together.  We need to support one another and rebuild our strength.  It is with our belief in ourselves that we turn events around.  You are all-powerful and can contribute to positive change.  Here at Tools To Life we can share stories, we can comment, and we can cheer each other on.  It is important that we support each other all over the world.  We each can make a difference.

Your family, friends and community need your support.  They need all of us to be powerful, stay positive, and get into action. Look for opportunities to help each other, and create opportunities.

Get into action, keep your faith, support each other and we will turn lives around:  yours, mine and everyone’s together!  Stay positive this week no matter what events take place. 

I have faith in you,

Devlyn Steele

The Daily Podcast will offer tips on how to stay positive this week.  Join me there.