The Transformative Power of Hope Laura Basili, Ph.D. lbasili@middlebury.edu 802-989-8976
Musings on Hope • Experienced in situations that have elements of uncertainty and/or captivity – Illness or disability – Loss and bereavement – Transitional times in our lives
Musings on Hope • Experienced in the context of time: Hope draws on the past, is experienced in the present and is aimed at the future. “ Hope begins when the mind begins to see a different future. ”
The Hoping Process • Hope is Dispositional Described as the ‘hoping self’ Sense of hope that is present in a person or a situation that conveys a sense of the possible Based on personality, developmental history, life experiences, spiritual/existential outlook
Research on Hope Hopeful resilient, open, people trusting, motivated Hope : best predictor of Well being & a Meaningful existence
The Hoping Process • Hopes and Desires Desire: desidere – of the stars (David Whyte) – When you have a desire you are keeping your star in sight . . . – If you are following a star you can go through incredibly difficult territory on the surface . . . – The star may disappear or reappear but it is always there to be followed . . .
The Hoping Process • Hope is situational . . . • Hope is relational . . . • Hope is an imagination activity . . .
The Hoping Process • Hope elicits possibility thinking: What is? What can be? What is becoming?
The Hoping Process • The evaluation/judgment error • Differences in family and care providers • Choosing to assess life from a different orientation or perspective
Hope and Healthcare Claire McCarthy, M.D . • Prognosis Hope – “ Expect nothing . . . hope for everything. ” – “ Initially hope is the space between symptoms and diagnosis. Then it is the space between diagnosis and prognosis. ” Ronna Jevne
Hope and Healthcare Claire McCarthy, M.D . • Day to Day Hope – What do we hope for in the here and now? – How does the family face daily triumphs and challenges? – What is the changing nature of hope? – What can we offer when denial is gone?
Hope and Healthcare Claire McCarthy, M.D . Spinning Straw into Gold Hope Spiritual courage & Meaning making – How can our life change or transform? – What are the ‘blessings’ despite the suffering?
Enhancing Hope Care and communicate your caring – Mindful attention, genuineness – Unconditional positive regard, immediacy • How do we communicate? • How do we build trust? • Do we carry through? • Are we creative problem solvers? • Do our interactions with families convey a sense of hope? A sense of possibility?
Enhancing Hope Listen to the “Story” – Script the story to hope – Journal – Write a letter to a person of choice – Video/web page – Draw map – instructions for getting here What are the narrative themes that are emerging? Where is hope?
Enhancing Hope • Hope Stories: help us to practice naming and attending to hope! – Family, friends, care providers . . . – Generate one a day/week/meeting – Concrete or specific – General or metaphorical – Inspirational words, poems, stories, poetry
Enhancing Hope • Hope Actions – by creating movement or change we touch the foundations of hope - Make something happen: Quickly, noticeably - Spending time - Following our intuition – Future commitments – Advocacy – Risk
Enhancing Hope • Hope Rituals: using the intentionality of ritual to be a voice and catalyst for hope – What rituals does the family engage in daily, weekly, routinely that could be transformed into hope enhancing rituals? – Ex. Angel cards
Enhancing Hope • Hope Images & Symbols : Explore images that touch the symbolic, creative aspects of hope and participate in meaning beyond the concrete – How are signs of hope noticed? – What images/symbols of hope are in rooms, homes, offices, clinics? – Do hope images/symbols need to be changed or revitalized?
Enhancing Hope • Hope Models: Real person, story book character, cultural icon that serves as a model of hope – What attributes do you most admire? – What are their strengths and weaknesses? – How are they similar/different from you? – What can you borrow from them or others in your life with similar qualities when you need a boost of hope? – Surround yourself with hopeful people!
Enhancing Hope • Hope Suggestions: Touching the foundations of hope with our daily actions and choice of language - spoken & written When you return to work in the fall . . . I trust you will find the strength to get through this . . . When you travel to the Grand Canyon . . .
Enhancing Hope • Hope Music Explore music that touches the symbolic, creative aspects of hope and nurtures the spirit What music is relaxing peaceful hopeful energizing Can music be created?
Enhancing Hope • Hope in Nature : The natural world is a valuable resource for hope – “ The peace in wild things ” Wendell Berry – What places are considered ‘sacred’? – When was the last time they were visited? – Where are the nearby places to connect with nature and hope? – Making connections through guided imagery
Enhancing Hope • Hope in the Present Moment: live as fully as possible in the moment – Enhancing our being mindfulness , meditation, contemplative prayer, guided imagery, body work, energy work, yoga, tai chi, etc.) – Create space that encourages being in the moment – Readiness for the unplanned or spontaneous – Seize moments! Carpe Diem!
Enhancing Hope • Hopeful Humor: using humor therapeutically to tickle hope! – Understand others ’ sense of humor – Understand others ’ cultural backgrounds – Look for opportunities to share humorous experiences
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