“I have seen what a laugh can do. It can transform almost unbearable tears into something bearable, even hopeful.” – Bob Hope

With the holiday season here, there are many reasons to feel hopeful. However, sometimes it’s hard to see the forest through the trees. Things in your life that seem mundane or even challenging are actually blessings in disguise.

As you think back to the reason for the season, you can see there are plenty of reasons you should be thankful as well as hopeful for a bright, eternal future. When you find yourself dwelling on the negative things in life and forgetting to appreciate the little things, turn to these 10 reasons to feel hopeful every day.

1. You are not quite as negative as you think. You are reading this—there is a drop of hope. A seed ready to sprout with a little TLC. Think back to the times when you saw the world with sweet appreciation and then challenge yourself to adopt this point of view once again so you can see more of what’s good.

2. Appreciate your faith in God and you will feel hopeful. He gives us strength and hope. Say a prayer, appreciate nature or spend some time reading the Bible. Seek out faithful people and spend time with them or if you’ve stopped attending church, allow the Christmas season to bring you back.

3. You are a free person to make your own decisions. That is reason enough to be hopeful. If you feel trapped, there is always hope you will find a way out. You are a person of choice who is free to love, work, worship and simply be who you were made to be. Stand up for what you believe and then live it!

4. You wake up each morning with decisions to make and you do it. Decisions are made based on hope for a good outcome. Empower yourself to make decisions that are aligned with how you think, what you believe and how you want to live.

5. Every obstacle in front of you is a sign of hope. You wouldn’t see the obstacle for what it was if you weren’t feeling hopeful about your future goal. Begin to see obstacles as a way to sharpen your faith or improve your willpower. Obstacles can be opportunities waiting to be conquered!

6. You can help other people and give them hope by doing little things like offering a friendly smile, holding a door open or visiting a sick neighbor. Your actions and words can be the perfect gifts to give others this holiday season – especially if they are wrapped in hope.

7. You can be hopeful for a better tomorrow, whether that means you get up a little earlier so you don’t feel rushed or you are hopeful for a better commute—it is a reason for hope. Challenge yourself to begin seeing your life as the glass half-filled. Before you see the problems, look for what’s right first. When you do this, tomorrow will begin looking better, brighter and more hopeful.

8. Strive to be healthier. Knowing that you can exercise a little more or you can choose better foods is a reason to be hopeful. Listen to what your body is telling you and give it more of the nourishment it needs with food, faith and hope.

9. You have the choice to forgive. Forgiveness and acceptance is a reason to be hopeful. You don’t have to hold on to that anger, you can let it go and have hope for a brighter future. Remember: Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself so you can let go of the past and live fully in the present.

10. God loves you no matter what! With that knowledge, there is always hope!

Image Source: Google images

About Alex Blackwell
Alex Blackwell is a father, husband and writer.