THURSDAY—HOPEFUL EXPECTATIONS

By Amanda Gore

“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.”

Physician and writer Orison Marden (1850-1924)

Today is the day of hopeful expectations. In other words, you are to go through this day expecting good things to happen. And for situations to work out perfectly, as God planned them, no matter what you think they should look like!

As you are driving or traveling to work, expect the traffic to be smooth, flowing easily, or for you to find a seat in public transport. If that is not the case, be hope-full that there is a good reason for any difficulties and that it will become obvious to you at some stage.

If you are full of anxiety about a meeting that you have been dreading, stop! And immediately become hope-full about it by giving the situation to God or “pre-living” it in the way in which you would like to see it happen.

Imagine yourself living through the experience with all those hope/body sensations that you became aware of on Monday. Imagine having a positive outcome with you feeling and operating in a hope-full and therefore, courage-full way. Then, walk into the meeting with your new courage, and hope “demeanor.”

If someone who scares you is approaching and you stop breathing, seize up, clench your fists or sweat—know that fear has “gripped” you. Stop. Take a breath. Replace those fear sensations with hope-filled courage and from that new position, interact with this person. You might be stunned at the difference!

On your way home, be hopeful about how the evening will work out. See things going well; your relationship being smooth and easy; imagine your teenager succeeding in life despite the fact they appear to be totally uninterested in anything except aggravating you right now!

Feel what it is like to go through a day with hope, and hopeful expectations, instead of dread, worry, resignation and expecting the worst. Take notes and decide which feels better. Then make your choice of how to operate—from your heart’s wisdom or your imagination or fabrication! And choose how to shape your expectations for the day.

Finally, make a list of all the things about which you would like to be hopeful. Really feel the hope in your heart as you write—it’s not enough to just write it down. You have to consciously work to eliminate the fears, feel the hope and really believe in the possibilities in each situation: Breathe those possibilities into your heart.

You already know what it’s like to wait full of dread and anxiety—waiting for the worst to happen. So today and from now on, even if things don’t work out the way you wanted them to, be full of positive, hopeful expectations, which will keep you in a good frame of mind while you are waiting. Maybe you will be in a better state to take what does happen and make something great out of it!

How you feel is up to you. Actively hold onto hope!