“Choosing to pursue hope is likely a better path to happiness and contentment than choosing to pursue happiness in and of itself.”

— Casey Gwinn, Hope Rising: How the Science of Hope Can Change Your Life

There’s enormous energy behind this little four-letter word. I believe that the concept of hope is very misunderstood, and even more underutilized as a tool of mental health. In my experience, hope is much more than a feeling; it is an actual cognitive process. Analysis in the fields of both psychology and physiology supports that our beliefs affect our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. What if you began to view life as you know it, through a lens of hope? How might your perspective change? How might your emotions shift? How might your life change course? Hope is not just passive wishing; it is active and it bridges our current reality with potential possibilities. It is the belief that your future can be better than your past or current situation, and that you actually have a role to play in making it better. Don’t underestimate the ability of hope as a core belief to anchor you and empower you to take steps toward a better, brighter future.