BECOME THE HOPE

Hope is hard to explain, to some degree it is an abstract concept, from what does it arise? and where does it dwell?

In centuries past passengers and crew were rescued from shipwrecks by individual groups of men using a line. Lines and ropes, even cords, are of different widths and strengths and are also dependant on the strength and skills of the individuals and groups making use of them. Accordingly, . the individual or group using them become the hope themselves. let’s tease this idea out,

Recently I was given a book for Christmas featuring lost people who eventually were found. The book, written by a young woman suffering from Multiple sclerosis features a group of people with a variety of different needs but all of them are lost to a greater or lesser degree. The author of the book has a skill in setting out a coherent narrative in which, the protagonist, a female middle-aged vicar living in, and managing a rundown church helped by a social worker, who is also lost and is atheist is physically challenged by multiple sclerosis and by the ‘antagonist’ a brutally abusive man who is trying to buy the church for a housing development.

The narrative begins by describing the way the vicar gets up in the morning and one is immediately drawn to her experience of managing her legs increasingly damaged by the disease, she then having got to the edge of the bed struggles into her unicorn slippers. Having been trained in an analytical frame, as a therapist, I begin to think about what do the slippers mean? Is there hope, or a wish, for a miracle to make those legs, and the body carrying them work? The slippers snuggle her feet and she begins to shuffle into her day. Her heart though is not shuffling she reaches out to those around her finding ways to help them without stepping on their dignity.

The gaggle of the most unlikely people come together, as time goes on, and central to this seems to be the unconditional acceptance of the vicar, and eventually of each other. The trust that materialized in the relationships of the group is, in my view, one of the first steps of engendering hope, and to trust, we have to overcome fear. This is our work for the new year to overcome fear, so that trust can grow, and hope emerge.

Hope, TIKVAH in Hebrew, can grow strong with connections of trust, first of ourselves even when others don’t see our potential and want to write us off, and through connections with groups. Imagine, in this simple way, each member of the group within your body, and within the group of people you can trust has a cord or some cords and as you connect within yourself, and within the group, the cords unite and become a rope TIKVAH, hope.

Imagine you have your own unicorn who comes for you in the twilight and takes you on his back across the skies. As you travel he shows you how to bring healing to poisoned waters, and all kind of situations, then gently returns you to your home and situation. Ha, you say, yes its fantasy, but it has its uses, grow hope, and you will grow to heal the unicorn is in you!

DO NOT USE ANY EXERCISES WITHIN THESE BLOGS IF YOU HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL.

MAKE CONNECTIONS GROW YOUR ROPE!