How to Find Hope in Dark Times - Rachel Devine
We live in a time where there is great darkness and challenges in our world. We no longer have a feeling of peace, especially with war raging in areas abroad.There is a feeling of uncertainty and perhaps hopelessness. Horror stories that emerge from the news are disturbing, to say the least, and weigh heavily on our wellness. Hope seems to be a forgotten friend.
I will explore how we can find some hope in dark times. I will explore ways to find hope, irrespective of what is happening around us. We can always decide how we view what is going on in the world and in our own world. Do we look for what’s wrong, or do we look for what’s right? Herein lies the key to finding hope. It’s all according to how you view the world.
This article is about finding hope. Let’s look at 5 ways to find hope in dark times:
We live in a time where there is great darkness and challenges in our world. We no longer have a feeling of peace, especially with war raging in areas abroad. There is a feeling of uncertainty and perhaps hopelessness. Horror stories that emerge from the news are disturbing, to say the least, and weigh heavily on our wellness. Hope seems to be a forgotten friend.
Let’s explore ways to find hope, irrespective of what is happening around us. We can always decide how we view what is going on in the world and in our own world. Do we look for what’s wrong, or do we look for what’s right? Herein lies the key to finding hope. It’s all according to how you view the world.
Let’s look at 5 ways to find hope in dark times:
Your worldview
Your worldview is paramount to having hope in dark times. We can look at things happening from a catastrophic point of view. However, that will only bring us down and really doesn’t help the challenging plight. Now, what if I view the world from the perspective of the good that is happening in the darkness? What if I focus on the humanitarian aid, the people on the ground helping out, possible future changes, and the prayers to God that are being said? That would offer some light in the darkness and hope in the midst of calamity. How you view the challenges in the world is a choice only you can make. Looking for the good that will emerge from the calamity means looking at the world from a different perspective.
Detaching
Detaching from the news for a while will help you find some hope and peace. Watching every little nuance of the atrocities in the world will only keep you in a state of despair and hopelessness. The news can bring you into fear to the point of not wanting to leave your house. The bad news will assure you that you will wallow in the darkness of world affairs rather than the light of hope. The news has one purpose, and that is to sell to their audience. The majority of what they are selling is bad news, and if you wallow in that, it will be difficult to find any hope. The news will bring you the worst possible situations, and when you are done watching, you might feel depleted and anxious. That is the time to turn it off. Believe me, the world will keep spinning on its axis whether you watch the news or not. In other words, don’t be a participant in the dictates of a news program that causes a feeling of despair. Allow yourself 10 minutes to catch up on the news, and then do yourself a favor and turn it off. Perhaps reading a book or some quotes on finding happiness will help turn things around.
Prayer = hope and peace
Prayer is the equalizer in times of any challenge. Prayer can bring you to a place of hope in an instant. Let’s look at how to find hope in God. When we pray, we are in the moment of our prayer, and that brings us from the darkness to light. God can only be found in the moment. He is not in the past or the future; he is in this very sacred moment. When we are in a prayerful state, we are connected to the peace of God. Darkness disappears when in prayer. It's like shining a flashlight in a dark room. I believe in the power of prayer; therefore, prayer helps me feel at peace and gives me a lot of hope. It helps me let go of the things I cannot change. Remember, you have the power within to offset any darkness in the world. Pray for the world at large.
Louise Hay said, “The point of power is always in the present moment.”
Finding hope in a support group
Being around people of like-mind will help you feel brighter. Join a support group. Perhaps a prayer group, a focus group, a writing group, a 12-step group, or join a meetup group that socializes. Getting out and talking to other people helps prevent the power of the chaos from infringing on the mind and also gives a well-deserved break from world affairs. Detaching from the chaos and being around people of like-mind can be as refreshing as taking a dip in the ocean. Expressing yourself in a group setting is a healthy move in the direction of inner peace. Or give yourself the gift of a weekend getaway. These mini vacations can help recharge your batteries and detach from the world’s chaos. These are some ways to find hope and happiness in your life.
Gratitude
In the center of hope lies the enormous power of gratitude. Counting your blessings is a way to shift from feeling hopeless to finding hope. It’s okay to feel fortunate in times of challenge in the world. It’s okay to be grateful for all you have. I suggest you make a gratitude list of at least five things you are grateful for daily and read it out loud in the morning and before you go to bed at night. Going to bed in a peaceful state of gratitude is priceless. It will help you manifest the power of God’s goodness into your life.
In conclusion, finding hope and peace in dark times is a choice. We all have the power to decide what we allow into our psyche. Our choices will dictate whether we are shining in the light or wallowing in the darkness. However, when anxiety becomes the norm, it really is time to set some boundaries. And remember, you have the power and the choice to decide what you allow to come into your emotional world.
“In life, we have to be strong and bright enough to face our dark times. Eclipse may come and eclipse may go; nothing should stop our inner strength’s flow."
― Munia Khan
I suggest you stay in that inner strength’s flow, under the tent of God.
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Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.
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Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.
The Power of Gratitude in the New Year! Rachel Devine
The year is winding down and there is so much to be grateful for. With the new year right around the corner, gratitude is a great way to end a year and begin a new year. However, gratitude is beneficial everyday. Gratitude is more than just saying thank you. Regularly expressing gratitude has been shown in research to provide far-reaching physical, psychological, spiritual and social benefits. By focusing on blessings, rather than what is lacking, gratitude fosters optimism, strengthens relationships, improves health, and enhances overall happiness. The benefits of a gratitude practice is priceless. The power of gratitude is essential to happiness and living an optimistic life. A positive thought process will reap a positive life experience.
Let’s explore the benefits of practicing gratitude:
The year is winding down and there is so much to be grateful for. With the new year right around the corner, gratitude is a great way to end a year and begin a new year. However, gratitude is beneficial everyday. Gratitude is more than just saying thank you. Regularly expressing gratitude has been shown in research to provide far-reaching physical, psychological, spiritual and social benefits. By focusing on blessings, rather than what is lacking, gratitude fosters optimism, strengthens relationships, improves health, and enhances overall happiness. The benefits of a gratitude practice is priceless. The power of gratitude is essential to happiness and living an optimistic life. A positive thought-process will reap a positive life experience.
Let’s explore the benefits of practicing gratitude:
Physical Health Booster
Studies link gratitude practices with better biomarkers like improved sleep, lower blood pressure, and reduced inflammation that contribute to heart health risks. Sincere appreciation lowers stress hormones like cortisol that can damage health if chronically elevated.
In a pioneering UC Davis study, subjects who journaled on gratitude experiences for two weeks showed a significant increase in biomarkers associated with health in comparison to control groups. Keeping a gratitude journal emerges as an easy but potent habit of many benefits.
Mental Well-being
Gratitude changes perspective from scarcity to abundance by redirecting focus towards all we have rather than what we don’t have. This positive attitude has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, elevate mood, and increase happiness by over 25%, according to research from Positive Psychology pioneer Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky.
And remember, gratitude and happiness quotes are also a fun way to keep gratitude growing.
Relationship Bonds
Expressing thankfulness fosters stronger social bonds by making others feel valued and appreciated. Appreciation for family members is priceless. Gratitude helps diffuse conflicts and fosters connection through positive communication. Studies demonstrate that regularly voicing genuine appreciation to partners, friends, and family deepens bonds.
Bestselling author Brené Brown wisely noted that “Joy comes to us everyday as a gift. The longer we can hold onto it, the more we can take time to appreciate it, the more that joy expands.” The joy expands because of the principals of the law of attraction tell us that, like attracts like. Shared joyous moments are doubled when expressed with gratitude.
Life Purpose and Meaning
Gratitude helps uncover the meaning in life’s ordinary moments by focusing attention on the gift of simply being alive. Even basic needs like food, shelter, or nature’s beauty become profound when received gratefully. Practicing gratitude brings heightened awareness to purpose and blessings.
Holocaust survivor and renowned author Viktor Frankl highlighted the essential power of gratitude and meaning in his classic book, Man’s Search for Meaning: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances.” Gratitude provides magic that can propel you to change your future course in life.
Doorway to Spirituality
For many spiritual traditions, gratitude sits at the heart of connection to the Divine. Expressing thankfulness for life's gifts cultivates humility and compassion. Regular gratitude meditations and prayers can facilitate a deeper relationship with God or existence itself.
Gratitude expressed in prayers in Catholicism, Christianity, Judaism and many more faiths, as a posture of humble appreciation, invokes peace and grace. Even non-religious individuals may experience transcendent moments of awe and grace through gratitude practices. Practicing daily gratitude is a form of graceful prayer and a blessing to all who cultivate gratitude in their life. Gratitude can help lead one to a life of humility and spirituality, when practicing gratitude daily.
Simple Habits
Gratitude is available to all through simple habits like beginning each day by listing a few things you are thankful for, saying grace before meals, keeping a gratitude journal, writing thank you notes, and meditating on moments of blessing. Consciously appreciating the people, experiences, and basic comforts that comprise your life opens the doorway to greater wholeness.
By changing your mindset from lack to abundance through gratitude, you gain a powerful perspective that research confirms provides tangible physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. The more good we notice, the more good grows. Centering in gratitude transforms lives. What are you grateful for today? I am most grateful for my family. I am also grateful and excited about my new book I just got published, Discover the Power of the Secret Within - Healing the Inner Child to Manifest your Dreams!
Wishing you all a very blessed New Year!
Devine Intervention - Inner Healing Center
Let me know what you are grateful for today.
The Power of Gratitude to Change your Life Rachel Devine
It is the time of year to count our blessings as Thanksgiving is fast approaching. However, gratitude is beneficial everyday. Gratitude is more than just saying thank you. Regularly expressing gratitude has been shown in research to provide far-reaching physical, psychological, spiritual and social benefits. By focusing on blessings, rather than what is lacking, gratitude fosters optimism, strengthens relationships, improves health, and enhances overall happiness. The benefits of a gratitude practice is priceless. The power of gratitude is essential to happiness and living an optimistic life. A positive thought process will reap a positive life experience.
Let’s explore the benefits of practicing gratitude:
It is the time of year to count our blessings as Thanksgiving is fast approaching. However, gratitude is beneficial everyday. Gratitude is more than just saying thank you. Regularly expressing gratitude has been shown in research to provide far-reaching physical, psychological, spiritual and social benefits. By focusing on blessings, rather than what is lacking, gratitude fosters optimism, strengthens relationships, improves health, and enhances overall happiness. The benefits of a gratitude practice is priceless. The power of gratitude is essential to happiness and living an optimistic life. A positive thought process will reap a positive life experience.
Let’s explore the benefits of practicing gratitude:
Physical Health Booster
Studies link gratitude practices with better biomarkers like improved sleep, lower blood pressure, and reduced inflammation that contribute to heart health risks. Sincere appreciation activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress hormones like cortisol that can damage health if chronically elevated.
In a pioneering UC Davis study, subjects who journaled on gratitude experiences for two weeks showed a significant increase in biomarkers associated with health in comparison to control groups. Keeping a gratitude journal emerges as an easy but potent habit of many benefits.
Mental Well-being
Gratitude changes perspective from scarcity to abundance by redirecting focus towards all we have rather than what we don’t have. This positive reorientation has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, elevate mood, and increase happiness by over 25%, according to research from Positive Psychology pioneer Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky.
And remember, gratitude and happiness quotes are also a fun way to keep gratitude growing.
Relationship Bonds
Expressing thankfulness fosters stronger social bonds by making others feel valued and appreciated. Gratitude helps diffuse conflicts and facilitates connection through authentic positive communication. Studies demonstrate that regularly voicing genuine appreciation to partners, friends, and family deepens bonds.
Bestselling author Brené Brown wisely noted that “Joy comes to us everyday as a gift. The longer we can hold onto it, the more we can take time to appreciate it, the more that joy expands.” The joy expands because of the principals of the law of attraction tell us that, like attracts like. Shared joyous moments are doubled when expressed with gratitude.
Life Purpose and Meaning
Gratitude helps uncover the meaning in life’s ordinary moments by focusing attention on the gift of simply being alive. Even basic needs like food, shelter, or nature’s beauty become profound when received gratefully. Practicing gratitude brings heightened awareness to purpose and blessings.
Holocaust survivor and renowned author Viktor Frankl highlighted the essential power of gratitude and meaning in his classic book, Man’s Search for Meaning: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances.” Gratitude provides magic that can propel you to change your future course in life.
Doorway to Spirituality
For many spiritual traditions, gratitude sits at the heart of connection to the Divine. Expressing thankfulness for life's gifts cultivates humility and compassion. Regular gratitude meditations and prayers can facilitate a deeper relationship with God or existence itself.
Gratitude expressed in prayers in Catholicism, Christianity, Judaism and many more faiths, as a posture of humble appreciation, invokes peace and grace. Even non-religious individuals may experience transcendent moments of awe and grace through gratitude practices. Practicing daily gratitude is a form of graceful prayer and a blessing to all who cultivate gratitude in their life. Gratitude can help lead one to a life of humility and spirituality, when practicing gratitude daily.
Simple Habits
Gratitude is available to all through simple habits like beginning each day by listing a few things you are thankful for, saying grace before meals, keeping a gratitude journal, writing thank you notes, and meditating on moments of blessing. Consciously appreciating the people, experiences, and basic comforts that comprise your life opens the doorway to greater wholeness.
By changing your mindset from lack to abundance through gratitude, you gain a powerful perspective that research confirms provides tangible physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. The more good we notice, the more good grows. Centering in gratitude transforms lives. What are you grateful for today? I am most grateful for my family. I am also grateful and excited about my new book I just got published, Discover the Power of the Secret Within - Healing the Inner Child to Manifest your Dreams!
Rachel Devine is the author of, Discover the Power of the Secret Within, The Third Road & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack.
Devine Intervention - Inner Healing Center
Let me know in the comments what you are grateful for today.
How to Find Hope in Dark Times - Rachel Devine
We live in a time where there is great darkness and challenges in our world. We no longer have a feeling of peace, especially with war raging in areas abroad.There is a feeling of uncertainty and perhaps hopelessness. Horror stories that emerge from the news are disturbing, to say the least, and weigh heavily on our wellness. Hope seems to be a forgotten friend.
I will explore how we can find some hope in dark times. I will explore ways to find hope, irrespective of what is happening around us. We can always decide how we view what is going on in the world and in our own world. Do we look for what’s wrong, or do we look for what’s right? Herein lies the key to finding hope. It’s all according to how you view the world.
This article is about finding hope. Let’s look at 5 ways to find hope in dark times:
We live in a time where there is great darkness and challenges in our world. We no longer have a feeling of peace, especially with war raging in areas abroad.There is a feeling of uncertainty and perhaps hopelessness. Horror stories that emerge from the news are disturbing, to say the least, and weigh heavily on our wellness. Hope seems to be a forgotten friend.
I will explore how we can find some hope in dark times. I will explore ways to find hope, irrespective of what is happening around us. We can always decide how we view what is going on in the world and in our own world. Do we look for what’s wrong, or do we look for what’s right? Herein lies the key to finding hope. It’s all according to how you view the world.
This article is about finding hope. Let’s look at 5 ways to find hope in dark times:
Your worldview
Your worldview is paramount to having hope in dark times. We can look at things happening from a catastrophic point of view. However, that will only bring us down and really doesn’t help the challenging plight. Now, what if I view the world from the perspective of the good that is happening in the darkness? What if I focus on the humanitarian aid, the people on the ground helping out, possible future changes, and the prayers that are being said? That would offer some light in the darkness and hope in the midst of calamity. How you view the challenges in the world is a choice you can make. Looking for the good that will emerge from the calamity is looking at the world from a different perspective.
Detaching
Detaching from the news for a while will help you find some hope and peace. Watching every little nuance of the atrocities in the world will only keep you in a state of despair and hopelessness. The news can bring you undo fear to a point of not wanting to leave your house. The bad news will assure that you will wallow in the darkness of world affairs rather than the light of hope. The news has one purpose, and that is to sell. The majority of what they are selling is bad news, and if you wallow in that, it will be difficult to find any hope. The news will bring you the worst possible situations, and when you are done watching, you might feel depleted and anxious. That is the time to turn it off. Believe me, the world will keep spinning on its axis whether you watch the news or not. In other words, don’t be a participant in the dictates of a news program that causes a feeling of despair. Allow yourself 10 minutes to catch up on the news, and then do yourself a favor and turn it off. Perhaps reading a book or some quotes on finding happiness will help turn things around.
Prayer = hope and peace
Prayer is the equalizer in times of challenge. Prayer can bring you to a place of hope in an instant. Let’s look at how to find hope in God. When we pray, we are in the moment of our prayer, and that brings a lot of comfort and hope. God can only be found in the moment. He is not in the past or the future; he is in this very sacred moment. When we are in a prayerful state, we are connected to the peace of God. Darkness disappears when in prayer. It's like shining a flashlight in a dark room. I believe in the power of prayer; therefore, prayer helps me feel at peace and gives me a lot of hope. Remember, you have the power within to offset any darkness in the world. Pray for the world at large.
Finding hope in a support group
Being around people of like mind will help you feel brighter. Join a support group that invokes peace. Perhaps a prayer group, a focus group, a 12-step group, or a group that simply socializes. Getting out and talking to other people helps prevent the power of the chaos from infringing on the mind and also gives a well-deserved break from world affairs. A 12-step group will allow you to voice your feelings about what is happening in the world and in turn it will lose its grip on you. Expressing yourself for a short time is healthy to move on in a hopeful way. These are some ways to find hope and happiness in your life.
Gratitude
In the center of hope lies the enormous power of gratitude. Counting your blessings is a way to shift from feeling hopeless to finding hope. It’s okay to feel fortunate in times of challenge in the world. It’s okay to be grateful for all you have. I suggest you make a gratitude list of at least five things you are grateful for daily and read it out loud in the morning and before you go to bed at night. Going to bed in a peaceful state of gratitude is priceless. It will help you manifest the power of goodness into your life.
Finding hope and peace in dark times is a choice. We all have the power to decide what we allow into our psyche. However, when anxiety becomes the norm it really is time to set some boundaries. And remember, you have the power and the choice to decide what you allow to come into your emotional world.
“In life, we have to be strong and bright enough to face our dark times. Eclipse may come and eclipse may go; nothing should stop our inner strength’s flow."
― Munia Khan, Attainable
I suggest you stay in that inner strength’s flow, under the tent of God.
Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships. Both are on Amazon.
Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.
Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.
The Power of Gratitude to Change your Life Rachel Devine
Gratitude is more than just saying thank you. Regularly cultivating and expressing gratitude has been shown in research to provide far-reaching physical, psychological, and social benefits. By focusing on blessings rather than what is lacking, gratitude fosters optimism, strengthens relationships, improves health, and enhances overall happiness. The benefits of gratitude practice and the power of gratitude is essential to happiness and being optimistic. Practicing daily gratitude will promote better health, well-being, relationships, and so much more.
Let’s explore gratitude in detail:
Gratitude is more than just saying thank you. Regularly cultivating and expressing gratitude has been shown in research to provide far-reaching physical, psychological, spiritual and social benefits. By focusing on blessings, rather than what is lacking, gratitude fosters optimism, strengthens relationships, improves health, and enhances overall happiness. The benefits of a gratitude practice is priceless. The power of gratitude is essential to happiness and living an optimistic life. A positive thought process will reap a positive life experience. Practicing daily gratitude will promote better health, well-being, relationships, spirituality, and so much more.
Let’s explore the benefits of practicing gratitude:
Physical Health Booster
Studies link gratitude practices with better biomarkers like improved sleep, lower blood pressure, and reduced inflammatory cytokines that contribute to heart health risks. Sincere appreciation activates the parasympathetic nervous system, lowering stress hormones like cortisol that can damage health if chronically elevated.
In a pioneering UC Davis study, subjects who journaled on gratitude experiences for two weeks showed a significant increase in biomarkers associated with health in comparison to control groups. Keeping a gratitude journal emerges as an easy but potent habit of many benefits.
Mental Well-being
Gratitude changes perspective from scarcity to abundance by redirecting focus towards already present gifts rather than what is lacking in their life. This positive reorientation has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms, elevate mood, and increase happiness by over 25%, according to research from Positive Psychology pioneer Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky.
Oprah Winfrey, a vocal proponent of gratitude practices, reflected “I know for sure that appreciating whatever shows up for you in life changes your entire experience of life.” Intentionally recognizing reasons for thankfulness, even during challenges, provides mental strength and resilience. And remember, gratitude and happiness quotes are also a fun way to keep gratitude growing.
Relationship Bonds
Expressing thankfulness fosters stronger social bonds by making others feel valued and appreciated. Gratitude helps diffuse conflicts and facilitates connection through authentic positive communication. Studies demonstrate that regularly voicing genuine appreciation to partners, friends, and family deepens bonds.
Bestselling author Brené Brown wisely noted that “Joy comes to us everyday as a gift. The longer we can hold onto it, the more we can take time to appreciate it, the more that joy expands.” The joy expands because of the principals of the law of attraction. Shared joyous moments are doubled when expressed with gratitude.
Life Purpose and Meaning
Gratitude helps uncover meaning in life’s mundane moments by focusing attention on the gift of simply being alive. Even basic needs like food, shelter, or nature’s beauty become profound when received gratefully. Practicing gratitude brings heightened awareness to purpose and blessings.
Holocaust survivor and renowned author Viktor Frankl highlighted the essential power of gratitude and meaning in his classic book, Man’s Search for Meaning: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances.” Gratitude provides freedom and can propel you to change your future course in life.
Doorway to Spirituality
For many spiritual traditions, gratitude sits at the heart of connection to the Divine. Expressing thankfulness for life's gifts cultivates humility and compassion. Regular gratitude meditations and prayers can facilitate a deeper relationship with God or existence itself.
Gratitude expressed in prayers in Islam, Catholicism, Christianity, Judaism and many more faiths, as a posture of humble appreciation, invokes peace and grace. Even non-religious individuals may experience transcendent moments of awe and grace through gratitude practices. Practicing daily gratitude is a form of graceful prayer and a blessing to all who cultivate gratitude in their life. Gratitude can help lead one to a life of humility and spirituality, when practicing gratitude daily.
Simple Habits
Gratitude is available to all through simple habits like beginning each day by listing a few things you are thankful for, saying grace before meals, keeping a gratitude journal, writing thank you notes, and meditating on moments of blessing. Consciously appreciating the people, experiences, and basic comforts that comprise your life opens the doorway to greater wholeness.
When you extend an act of kindness, endorphins are set off in the body, that have benefits of less pain and reduces stress and improves your sense of well-being. It not only benefits you with higher endorphins, but the person you are kind to and the person who is watching the act of kindness.
By changing your mindset from lack to abundance through gratitude, you gain a powerful perspective that research confirms provides tangible physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits. The more good we notice, the more good grows. Centering in gratitude transforms life.
Rachel Devine is the author of, The Third Road & Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack.
Let me know in the comments what you are grateful for today.