Nedra, your blog really struck a chord with me. As someone who’s recently gone through bowel cancer, I learned firsthand how crucial it is to hold onto hope, even in the smallest things. During some of my toughest days, it was the little moments—a butterfly landing nearby, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face, or a message from a friend—that kept me going. Like you said, hope truly is our heartbeat, and finding those small joys each day is what carried me through. Your reminder to embrace the process and not wait for perfection is so powerful, especially when life feels uncertain. Thank you for sharing this, it’s such a beautiful message.
Hope…there was a time in the early 2000’s that I couldn’t find hope and when I saw something hopeful, like someone planting new landscaping, my mind would think what fools they were to hope it would grow. Our new pastor, at the church I didn’t want to return to after moving back to an area we had lived, shared spiritual direction resources with me. The spiritual director shared a counselor for me to contact. Gradually, the help these three women provided me allowed hope to become part of my life again. Miracle of miracles, an older woman at the church had a litter of cocker spaniels. She offered me a sweet little girl. Now I had Hope in my life all the time! Life is still bumpy, no sweet Hope to be my comfort, I am grateful for these Nuggets that brighten my day and help me smooth my days!
Painting has been my hobby for the past seven years and although i first started with colored pencils and contés, i've now graduated to mixed-media. Whenever i use watercolors, i feel more relaxed than when i use gouache or other mediums.
And about what i'm looking forward to, i can say that i'm looking forward to finding more opportunities to expand my interests and find a job i'd love.
In a world that often feels heavy and overwhelming, choosing hope feels like an act of defiance. It's a way of saying, "I believe in a better future, and I'm going to actively work towards it." Your article reminded me that even small acts of hope – like tending to a garden or learning a new skill – can ripple outwards and create positive change.
Hope is an anchor. It helps us to await and expect all good things to come. I have high hopes for the future getting brighter and brighter despite the dismal world we live in. While I don't celebrate my birthday I'm looking forward to seeing what new dimension of peace and happiness comes with turning 33 in 4 weeks. I'm enjoying my educational webinars- I'm a true nerd!! Lol 😂, reading more books, making new friends that come with purposeful intention in my life, I recently was added to help a Local design construction crew and Disaster Relief Committee helping other's, and right now I'm one of many globally teaching others how to enjoy Life Forever in a new free interactive book that helps others to change their lifestyles for the better. When I was a kid I always wanted to be a teacher little did I know that I'd teach others for free and also teaching others how to get the resources they need on IG too. I enjoy writing and possibly hoping to write a submission for real simple magazine even if it's not published, I enjoy getting back to what makes me -me.
What a delight to receive this message as I sip my herbal tea this morning.
Hope is vital. There is strength in your words today, especially these: "Living is really about hope. It’s our heartbeat."
What you wrote reminded me of a book I'm reading about writing as a way of healing. The chapter I'm on is about the process, as you discuss here today.
Here's a quote that fits in with your message: "One can't be an expert in process. By its very nature, process can't be mastered. Because it's not finished. And who knows what will happen next?" - Nancy Mairs, from her book Ordinary Time.
I enjoy writing too. Thanks for reminding me of what I need to get back too! My goal is to submit 1 article to Real simple magazine even if it doesn't get published.
I love the idea of an adult summer camp! I've been compiling a 'summer offline list', all activities and things I want to do that don't involve the internet. We're coming into spring here in Australia and there's so much I want to do in the warmer weather!
Nedra, your blog really struck a chord with me. As someone who’s recently gone through bowel cancer, I learned firsthand how crucial it is to hold onto hope, even in the smallest things. During some of my toughest days, it was the little moments—a butterfly landing nearby, feeling the warmth of the sun on my face, or a message from a friend—that kept me going. Like you said, hope truly is our heartbeat, and finding those small joys each day is what carried me through. Your reminder to embrace the process and not wait for perfection is so powerful, especially when life feels uncertain. Thank you for sharing this, it’s such a beautiful message.
It so does!
I am looking forward to seeing life with someone else. To experiencing something new and different and scary and lovely…all at the same time. 🥰
Hope…there was a time in the early 2000’s that I couldn’t find hope and when I saw something hopeful, like someone planting new landscaping, my mind would think what fools they were to hope it would grow. Our new pastor, at the church I didn’t want to return to after moving back to an area we had lived, shared spiritual direction resources with me. The spiritual director shared a counselor for me to contact. Gradually, the help these three women provided me allowed hope to become part of my life again. Miracle of miracles, an older woman at the church had a litter of cocker spaniels. She offered me a sweet little girl. Now I had Hope in my life all the time! Life is still bumpy, no sweet Hope to be my comfort, I am grateful for these Nuggets that brighten my day and help me smooth my days!
thank you for this gift
I’m a pen and journal nerd. I have entirely too many of both lol. I just ordered a new pen and I’m so looking forward to receiving it 🤓
Painting has been my hobby for the past seven years and although i first started with colored pencils and contés, i've now graduated to mixed-media. Whenever i use watercolors, i feel more relaxed than when i use gouache or other mediums.
And about what i'm looking forward to, i can say that i'm looking forward to finding more opportunities to expand my interests and find a job i'd love.
In a world that often feels heavy and overwhelming, choosing hope feels like an act of defiance. It's a way of saying, "I believe in a better future, and I'm going to actively work towards it." Your article reminded me that even small acts of hope – like tending to a garden or learning a new skill – can ripple outwards and create positive change.
Hope is an anchor. It helps us to await and expect all good things to come. I have high hopes for the future getting brighter and brighter despite the dismal world we live in. While I don't celebrate my birthday I'm looking forward to seeing what new dimension of peace and happiness comes with turning 33 in 4 weeks. I'm enjoying my educational webinars- I'm a true nerd!! Lol 😂, reading more books, making new friends that come with purposeful intention in my life, I recently was added to help a Local design construction crew and Disaster Relief Committee helping other's, and right now I'm one of many globally teaching others how to enjoy Life Forever in a new free interactive book that helps others to change their lifestyles for the better. When I was a kid I always wanted to be a teacher little did I know that I'd teach others for free and also teaching others how to get the resources they need on IG too. I enjoy writing and possibly hoping to write a submission for real simple magazine even if it's not published, I enjoy getting back to what makes me -me.
Hi Nedra,
What a delight to receive this message as I sip my herbal tea this morning.
Hope is vital. There is strength in your words today, especially these: "Living is really about hope. It’s our heartbeat."
What you wrote reminded me of a book I'm reading about writing as a way of healing. The chapter I'm on is about the process, as you discuss here today.
Here's a quote that fits in with your message: "One can't be an expert in process. By its very nature, process can't be mastered. Because it's not finished. And who knows what will happen next?" - Nancy Mairs, from her book Ordinary Time.
I enjoy writing too. Thanks for reminding me of what I need to get back too! My goal is to submit 1 article to Real simple magazine even if it doesn't get published.
I love the idea of an adult summer camp! I've been compiling a 'summer offline list', all activities and things I want to do that don't involve the internet. We're coming into spring here in Australia and there's so much I want to do in the warmer weather!