HOPELESSNESS - Tuesday, November 17, 2020

 HOPELESSNESS - Tuesday, November 17, 2020

https://www.verywellmind.com/9-things-to-do-if-you-feel-hopeless-5081877

Sometimes we reach a stage of hopelessness.  We’ve lost our hope.  Nothing is going well.  

To me, such hopelessness is really a form of depression.  Maybe we let our circumstances weigh us down.  It just seems like whatever I do, dies.  The skies are always gray.  The bills keep pouring in.  The money is gone.  

This might be many of us during this COVID pandemic.  Some lost their jobs early on.  The people that lived from paycheck to paycheck were devastated.  They got some unemployment benefits - but that ran out.  Their food comes from the food pantry.  They lost their house and are living with relatives.  It is just simply “HOPELESS”.

So, how can we combat this?

-1 We need to put good news into our brains.

“But just because you think it, doesn’t mean it’s true. Your thoughts may be distorted, inaccurate, or downright wrong.”

“Hopeless feelings fuel hopeless thoughts. And it’s easy to get caught up in a negative cycle that makes it hard to see that things can get better.”

It may seem like any little thing sets up back.  If you will, even God is against you (not true of course).  

You dwell on the negative thoughts.  “Ain’t nothing going to work out” becomes our mantra.  

-2 Look at the alternative - look at the good side of things!!

Hey, the stock market is up!!  Even if you don’t have any money in the stock market, that means somebody is flourishing - and that is COMING YOUR WAY SOON!!!  The economy is picking up!!  There are fewer first-time claims for unemployment.  

Let’s say you lost your job and have sent out 100 application letters.  Hey, one of those letters is going to hit the right person at the right time to be hired!!!  

You have your health.  You are alive!!!  

Stand up and yell “YES”.  Put those good thoughts in your brain.  (Remember GIGO - garbage in/garbage out).

-3 Think what those negative thoughts are doing to you

Huh?  Be rational - those negative thoughts are weighing you down.  If you are saying “I’m a loser” (over-and-over-and-over), - guess what - you are going to continue to lose.  

NO - YOU are not a loser.  The economy tanked because of a strange new disease/virus.  It wasn’t YOU - you are a winner.  If a hurricane or tornado comes through your area it isn’t YOUR fault!!!  The weather conditions were such that bad weather occurred. 

-4 So, what happens if you become hopeful? 

Think back to the good times - times before the pandemic, times with family, times with friends, holidays, and more.

Are they gone forever?  NO!!!  Picture a year from now - with the world vaccinated against COVID and we are moving now.  If you are alienated from your family, think of the wonderful reunion you will have.  Think of all the special moments from the past.  They will be back!!!  

I’m going to take an old Jackie DeShannon song - “Put a little love in your hearts” and replace love with hope!!

Here are some of the lyrics:

Think of your fellow man

Lend him a helping hand

Put a little HOPE in your heart

You see it's getting late

Oh, please don't hesitate

Put a little HOPE in your heart

And the world will be a better place

And the world will be a better place

For you and me

You just wait and see

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCXu6LRxzV4 

And, another song - Gray Skies are going to clear up:

Gray skies are gonna clear up

Put on a happy face

Brush off the clouds and cheer up

Put on a happy face

Take off the gloomy mask of tragedy

It's not your style

You'll look so good that you'll be glad

You decided to smile

Pick out a pleasant outlook

Stick out that noble chin

Wipe off that full-of-doubt look

Slap on a happy grin

And spread sunshine all over the place

And put on a happy face”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmvFK739E_w