“Hope” is a word that is often hard to define and understand. We are often told, “You must have faith and hope” when crises, obstacles, and losses enter our lives. We say things like, “Hopefully everything will turn out well for you.” But what does that mean to the person who may be suffering and depressed?
I have created this website and blog to explore the beliefs we have regarding Hope and to highlight issues, concerns, and actions surrounding hope and the relation hope has in dealing with adversity in our lives.
Since it seems that in some adverse situations, Hope may be the only thing we have to hang on to help us get through….I felt that “Hanging on to Hope” would be an appropriate title for the website and blog. But I also feel that acknowledgement of our thoughts and feelings regarding the circumstances involved are extremely important and that taking “action” is absolutely required. The subtitle “Adversity in Life is NOT Optional, But Your Response to it is – Hang on to Hope!” reflects my belief that while we cannot always control what happens to us in life, we can control our responses.
The website can be accessed at http://adversityisnotoptional.com. Included on the website and with the blog postings, are some additional sections which can be accessed by clicking on the headings at the top of the website Home page or the top of any of the pages…
You will note that one of the sections is entitled “Punchlines”. For those of you who know me well, you know that I love PUNS. And this section is an opportunity for all of us to perhaps laugh a little (or more likely groan), especially in these times when humor in our lives appears to be somewhat lacking. You will also be introduced to 2 cartoon characters that I have created: Simon and Specs
I hope you enjoy this first blog post to the “Hanging on to Hope” web page and will find the additional pages informative and entertaining as well. My intent is to update the website on a monthly basis. I encourage comments and submissions from our readers. Adversity touches all of our lives at one time or another. But if we can develop better responses to the crisis, obstacles and challenges we face we have a fighting chance to not just survive, but to thrive. Your comments, suggestions, and submissions for future postings will be appreciated.
You can subscribe to future monthly publications by entering your email address and clicking on the “Subscribe” button at the bottom of the Home page or the Blog page. If you have trouble accessing any of the web pages or downloading any of the information, you can contact me at greynolds1949@hotmail.com. Thank you very much!
Gregory Charles Reynolds
Hanging on to Hope! 