During the cold, dreary days of winter, a popular childhood pastime was listening to records.  (For those of you too young to remember, records were flat, black, vinyl discs upon which sound had been recorded and was released when a diamond-tipped needle passed over the grooves as the record spun on a turntable at either 33⅓ or 45 rotations per minute.)  Our record cabinet was stocked with albums of classical music, original Broadway cast and movie soundtrack recordings, popular artists from the 40s to the 70s, and favorite holiday tunes. In addition, there was a treasured collection of Disneyland storytime classics such as Bambi, Cinderella, Snow White, and other fairy tales.  These were not recordings of the Disney, full-length, animated, feature films.  They were abbreviated versions, on 45s, told by a narrator with various performers providing the voices for the different characters.  Catchy songs, unique to these recordings, such as “Cindy-Cinderella went to the ball, Cindy-Cinderella loveliest of all,” and “Pinoc-, Pinoc-, Pinocchio, we’ll find you if we have to go to Tokyo,” were frequently sung, hummed, or whistled in our house.   

Curled up in our comfy, green rocking chair, I listened to these records until I knew them by heart.  My favorite was the story of Pandora’s box.  Placed on Earth by Zeus, Pandora was given everything she could possibly need or want.  She was charged only with never opening the beautiful box entrusted to her, (about which she was given no explanation – NOT a recommended parenting strategy).  Dreading the moment when her curiosity would get the best of her, I remember willing her not to open the box.  

Visions of the horrible creatures, embodiments of the wickedness she unleashes, were vivid in my imagination.  When she finally slams the lid shut, a gentle, pleading voice calls from inside, “Let me out.  Let me out, too.”  Cautiously, Pandora asks, “Who are you?”  Reassuringly, the voice urgently replies, “I am hope.”  Realizing the dire consequences of her actions, Pandora throws open the box, releasing hope into the world.  Tears of relief threatened to escape at the final words of the closing song, “When you have hope, you have everything.”

Hope is a priceless gift.  It provides comfort when faced with loss and sorrow.  It combats doubt in times of uncertainty.  It is a source of strength when confronted with hardship and challenges.  Combined with competence, confidence, wisdom, and love, hope makes what seems impossible possible.  Sharing hope with others, especially the children in our care, requires us to model and teach them how to:

Choose Hope.  When they come to us feeling frightened, discouraged, or overwhelmed, we can help them discover the power of hope.  By providing age-appropriate, accurate information; setting realistic expectations; supplying adequate preparation; creating reasonable pathways toward achieving goals; reminding them of their abilities and previous accomplishments; encouraging them to try again; and reassuring them of our unconditional love and support, we assist them in developing the courage to choose hope.  

Pair Hope with Action.  Hope in the absence of effort oftentimes yields disappointing results.  Hoping for a good grade without studying; hoping for an excellent performance without practicing; or hoping for a successful presentation without preparing are all examples of confusing hope with wishful thinking. Hope is not a passive state.  In a sentence beginning with, “I hope…,” hope is the verb and a verb is an action word.  Pairing hope with action significantly increases the likelihood of achieving the desired outcome.   But even in the event of failure, it is better to have hoped and tried, than never to have hoped at all.    

Inspire Hope.  Hope is contagious and can be readily spread by something as simple as a smile, a cheerful greeting, an encouraging word, or a random act of kindness.  By exemplifying that which we hope for, we invite others to become hopeful.  Exhibiting courtesy and consideration for others regardless of age, gender, color, or religion demonstrates our hope for equality.  Collecting and donating food and clothing conveys our hope for improving the lives of those less fortunate.  Championing quality education for all reflects our hope for future generations.  Adopting environmentally conscious habits is an expression of hope for the future of life on this planet.  Our individual actions do make a difference.  They can also inspire others to take action.  When we realize we are not acting alone, we feel more hopeful and the collective impact of our efforts makes an even greater difference consequently generating more hope.      

Current social, moral, political trends are contributing to an uncivil, divisive, combative, destructive interpersonal climate.  Indefensible language, attitudes, and behavior are being legitimized, even normalized.  When bombarded, on a daily basis, by accounts of adults in positions of authority, influence, and power behaving abysmally, it is tempting to surrender to disillusionment.  Giving in to despair is so easy because it permits apathy.  By accepting the explanation, “that’s just the way it is,” we are relieved of the responsibility for attempting to change the status quo.  We are choosing to ignore hope’s plea to be set free to resist greed, hate, ignorance, oppression, and that which underlies them all – fear.  Hope reaches for the light in all the darkness.  It doesn’t deny the presence of darkness, but refuses to succumb to it.  

As winter releases its grip giving way to spring, I wander around the yard seeking a first glimpse of new growth.  Kneeling in the spot where only a few short months ago daffodil bulbs were planted, I am delighted to discover the tips of fresh green leaves.  And it occurs to me that nature is the embodiment of hope.  Buried beneath the weight of six inches of frozen earth, surrounded by darkness, those bulbs are undeterred, their stored energy focused on seeking the warmth and light of the sun as it returns to dominate the sky.  Life’s hope for itself.

With the arrival of spring, my wish for us is hope.  Not passive, fanciful expectancy that enables us to sit around waiting for good things to happen, but active, passionate hope that inspires us to make good things happen for ourselves and for others. To have hope is a courageous choice.  May we find the courage to take action inspired by hope, even in the face of overwhelming odds.  May we spread the power of hope as generously as the flowers blossoming forth in spring.