I keep hearing the cry
… “what is hope?”  .
the cry
… “where is hope?” 
as results of the Presidential election in the United States were announced.
Things have changed – are changing – will change – dramatically.

Lives (bodies, minds, spirits) will be assaulted by threats, violence, racism, sexism, broken promises, and more lies. Slowly, people will begin to realize that Project 2025 is real, as families are separated, the economy worsens and darkness descends in areas of education, health, environment, and more.

I am reminded of a quote by Augustine who, in the fifth century, wrote these words: 
“Hope has two daughters. Their names are Anger and Courage
… ‘anger’ at the way things are
… and ‘courage’ to see that they do not remain the way they are.”   

Augustine died in 430,  a time when many Romans fled for their lives to North Africa because of violence and corruption in high offices.  It was a time when hope seemed to be elusive – and invisible.   Terrible times.
Sound familiar?

These days, many are experiencing the elusive hope, invisible hope of terrible times because of the tragedy of what may be ahead for the people of the United States as a result of the Presidential election, because of wars, earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, and because there are …
– diagnoses of a devastating illness.
– arrival of eviction notices
– hungry and homeless people
– disruptions in weather, land, peoples’ lives

Augustine knew that the only way through terrible times was for hope to emerge.
His words guided the people at the time. 

Could they guide people at this time?
Could we be called to be Children/Siblings of Hope in spite of it all?

What if we allowed the anger at the “way things are”  to surface by expressing our feelings in journalling, focusing on our breathing, artwork and sharing those feelings in conversations with trusted family, friends, colleagues, professionals?

What if we responded with courage …
– by putting one foot in front of the other?
– by remembering to breathe?
– by inhaling Ruach?
– by making time to “be” (remembering that we are human ‘be-ings’ not human ‘do-ings’)?
– by sharing our fear, stress, concerns with caring people and welcoming opportunities to live
… one moment at a time.

Hope has two daughters. 
Anger.
Courage.

May we give ourselves time space to experience what we are feeling.
May we give ourselves time and space to name what we are feeling as ‘anger.’
And may we be open to being Children/Siblings of Courage and Hope,
in spite of it all.

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As always, you are welcome to share
© June Maffin

BLOG: https://www.soulistry.com/blog     
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
MEDIUM: https://medium.com/@junelogin
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“Soulistry” is a neologism combining two words: ‘soul’ and ‘artistry’ … soul-space connecting creativity and spirituality.  
Sent from the traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples in the Cowichan Valley, British Columbia.
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The little figures were made wrapping paper napkin around paper clips.
Easy to do.