Hope – Realizing Empathy

Problem Solving vs Creating

If you hope
to get what you want,
frame it as a problem
to solve.

If you hope
to get what you didn’t know you wanted,
frame it as a paradox
to be dissolved.

When expectation
is fulfilled
there is no
surprise.

When expectation
is violated
there is
surprise
and frustration.

When hope
Is realized
there is
surprise
and gratitude.

When hope
is unrealized
there is no
surprise.

Sometimes, we need
to feel trusted by others
first
before we can trust
ourselves.

Sometimes, we need
to be shown hope by others
first
before we can see hope
ourselves.

Sometimes, we need
to feel loved by others
first
before we can love
ourselves.

Any time we have the urge to say “I disagree,”
It’s worth asking ourselves “What purpose am I hoping to fulfill?”

If the purpose of expressing disagreement is…

To express disagreement, then spending our energy to express disagreement would likely be energy well-spent.
To prevent something “bad” from happening, the energy may be better spent expressing our fear or concern of the “bad” thing.
To ask the other person to do something, the energy may be better spent making a request to the other person.