Revised April 16, 2025

Definition of Hope

Hope is a divine gift—a core belief rooted in the sacred feminine energy of the universe. I am hope’s embodiment who gives birth to hope through my daily action and efforts. Signs of hope surround us: the green shoot pushing through concrete, possibility persisting when evidence seems scarce. Hope anchors me in storms while giving me wings to soar beyond limitations.

Core Hope Values

bluebells close up bull run — Chrissy - Bluebells at Bull Run

Original Blessing: I believe everyone is born of original blessing, carrying inherent worthiness that cannot be diminished by circumstance, failure, or trauma.

Sacred Imagination: I value the power of imagination as essential to building a better future, seeing possibility where others see only limitation.
Courageous Action: I commit to acting daily on the courage of my convictions, both as an individual and a participant in democratic society.
Compassionate Connection: I honor the web of relationships that nurtures hope in community, knowing we were never meant to carry hope alone.

I Believe Statements

I believe that hope is a muscle that strengthens with daily exercise.

I believe that each person carries divine fingerprints.
I believe that when one path closes, creative persistence opens doorways we never imagined.
I believe that our deepest wounds can become sources of wisdom and compassion.
I believe that together, we can hold hope more steadily than any of us can alone.
I believe that small, consistent actions build the bridge between dreams and reality.

10 Principles for Hope Practice

1. The Daily Gardener

Each morning, I plant seeds of possibility by envisioning one positive outcome I can work toward. When weeds of doubt or fear sprout throughout the day, I gently remove them through mindful awareness, not harsh judgment.

2. Divine Fingerprints

I release the story that I am fundamentally flawed or broken. Instead, I recognize that I am born of divine blessing, carrying innate worthiness that nothing in this world can take away – not trauma, not failure, not uncertainty. I celebrate the divine nature that dwells within me and throughout creation.

3. The Path Finder

I generate alternative routes toward my goals when one road is blocked. Hope thrives in flexibility and creative problem-solving, not rigid attachment to a single solution. When faced with obstacles, I ask, "What else is possible?" rather than surrendering to defeat.

4. Wounded Wisdom

woman kneeling beside foxhound in woods — Chrissy with Murphy at Bull Run

I transform my trauma and disappointments into deeper understanding and compassion for myself and others. I maintain healthy regard for my past experiences yet refuse to get lost in the trauma of the past. My scars are not just reminders of pain but testimonies to my capacity for healing and growth. I honor what I've survived without allowing it to define my future.

5. Hope's Chorus

I nurture relationships with those who cultivate possibility rather than despair, recognizing that hope flourishes in community with people who can hold space for both honest struggle and genuine potential. When my own light dims, I allow others to hold hope for me until I can reclaim it.

6. Soul Exercises

I engage in specific activities that strengthen my hope mindset—whether through meditation, creative expression, or intentional gratitude—creating neural pathways that make hope my default response.

7. From Dreaming to Doing

I move beyond wishful thinking by taking concrete steps, however modest, toward creating the future I envision for myself and others, knowing that hope without action lacks power. Every journey begins with a single step, and I celebrate each one as progress, not perfection.

8. Both/And Living

I reject false positivity that denies suffering and instead embrace the complexity of acknowledging what hurts while still creating space for what could be. My hope is not naive—it is clear-eyed and resilient, capable of holding both pain and possibility.

9. Lighthouse Keeper

I share what I've learned, teach hope skills to children and adults, and offer encouragement to those still finding their way through darkness. The light I tend is not just for my journey but helps others navigate their storms.

10. Future Weaver

I use my imagination to envision a world where people, nature, and systems work together for the good of all, especially in times of uncertainty and chaos. I am an active participant in bringing this vision to life, however long the journey may be.

Hope Practices

woman against brick wall holding purple bag with "hope" — Chrissy, Hoping

Begin each day by naming 3 things I’m grateful to witness.
Keep a hope journal where I record small victories and unexpected blessings

Practice honoring my past experiences without getting lost in trauma stories
Create healthy boundaries around how much I revisit difficult memories
Engage in creative expression that gives form to my deepest hopes
Share stories of transformation with others to strengthen our collective resilience
Spend time in nature to witness the persistence of life and growth
Practice meditation to quiet the voices of fear and cynicism
Participate in community efforts that create tangible change

Hope Community

Family members who believe in me when I forget my own strength

Friends who hold space for honest struggle without rushing to fix or deny it
Mentors who have walked through darkness and emerged with wisdom to share
Fellow travelers on similar journeys who remind me I'm not alone
Children whose natural capacity for wonder and possibility restores my perspective
Ancestors whose courage and resilience flow in my veins
Writers and artists whose work illuminates new pathways of thinking
Animals and nature who remind me that beauty and play are integral to hope

Homemade Journal with spider plant — My Hope Journal

Hope Commitment

I commit to being a keeper of hope—for myself and others—even when darkness threatens to extinguish my light. I cultivate hope not as a naive wish but as a radical act of courage and resistance against despair. Through daily practice, compassionate community, and consistent action, I choose to be a bearer of light, a planter of seeds, and a weaver of possibility.