TURNING THE TABLES ON HOPE!

TURNING THE TABLES ON HOPE

The modern usage of the word has led the American Heritage Dictionary to change its definition:

The definition of hope published in the 4th edition was:

"A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfilment".

The definition for its 5th edition (2011) states:

"The longing or desire for something accompanied by belief in the possibility of its occurrence"

(Peter Chipman, Editor).

It would seem we have lost confidence! How sad..................

Hope theory, which falls under the philosophy of Positive Psychology, is goal-oriented. Willpower and way power, energy and excitement of goals are the modern dialogue of this philosophy.

An example of ‘Hope Theory” as therapy:

A woman wears an electronic bracelet that vibrates every 20 minutes to remind her to get up and stretch or walk down the hall......a new goal towards a hope of becoming more active, of not sitting constantly at her computer. I don't know about you but I know what I would do with that vibrating bracelet! :)

Does this not remind you of Pavlov's dog?

Anyone out there who has tried to diet?....we know how much willpower it takes! Many of us are pretty useless in this area therefore if I have to depend on such a platform to realise hope, then I know I am in deep trouble. Surely, hope  has greater significance.....this seems so watered down, even selfish.

What of.........Hope Springs Eternal! -Alexander Pope, an Essay on Man, Epistle I, 1733. We have songs, ringtones, a movie, a TV series and numerous blogs named from this quotation, all crying out and suggesting that there is a thirst for renewed hope.

Hope does not prove itself in works, hope springs from our inner world; it is instilled by something bigger than us.

As Adele sings: “I can't keep up with your turning tables, under your thumb, I can't breathe.”

Let’s turn back the tables on hope. Let’s meditate on its true meaning..........

Breathe in....

breathe out......truly hope again.

Xxxxxxxxx Margs