Face the future with hope, confidence and joy

We may fear the future but if we cultivate good attitudes and habits now, we can face it with hope, confidence and joy. So, how do we do that?

 

By being open. We can’t lock ourselves in with regret over the events and consequences of the past, anxiety over the challenges of the present and fear of worse case scenarios of the future. We can’t lock ourselves down with old, debilitating and destructive mind-sets, beliefs and habits. An open mind, to consider alternative opinions, innovative ideas and peculiar opportunities could usher us into areas and experiences we never imagined or we might have been afraid to envision before. An open mind may keep our emotions untouched and our insecurities hidden but that is only half a life. However, if we open our hearts to love freely, fully, compassionately and unconditionally, thus exposing our insecurities and vulnerabilities, often, that openness and love will return to us in even greater depth and intensity. 

 

By being honest with ourselves. When we are honest with ourselves, we live an authentic life and our relationships are richer and more passionate. Our life stories, interwoven with threads of joy and sorrow, love and heartbreak, happy surprises and disappointments, success and failure can leave us in an awkward place, with mixed feelings about the future. We shy away from taking another chance on love, our dreams or living life with unbridled passion. To face the uncertain future, we should harness and horn our life stories with whatever threads they may hold and make an honest assessment of who we are. It will set the foundation to zero in on what is important to us, what short and long term goals will lead us to our ultimate dreams.  

 

By being grateful. Without an attitude and a habit of gratitude, the present may be difficult enough to deal with and thoughts of the future could fill us with dread. Gratitude opens our eyes to our blessings: God-given gifts, daily and special provisions, answers to prayer, people who visit, touch and linger in our lives and situations that teach us valuable and life-long lessons. Without gratitude, we stumble into each day. We nit-pick and fumble with our relationships. Without gratitude, we are helpless and hopeless against the future. 

 

By being frugal. It is wise to be frugal with our finances. Yet, if we don’t learn to be frugal with our time and our energies, we run the risk of mental, physical and emotional burnout. 

To avoid running ourselves ragged, we should safeguard our time and energy by setting and enforcing personal boundaries. This may entail reshaping our responses to activities and responsibilities that may be time- consuming or energy-draining. Despite what people may think or say, we can be frugal with our time and energy without being harsh, dismissive, selfish or lazy. 

 

By being supportive of others. Each of us is travelling a path from the past, through the present and into the future. Each of us carries our individual fears, insecurities and dreams. Our journeys are more eventful, more comfortable, memorable, fulfilling and successful when someone supports us. We should develop and practice being supportive of others by sharing information, offering a hand to steady them when they stumble and encouraging them when their enthusiasm wavers. With one hand helping the other clap, we can face and manage whatever the future brings. Are you wondering how you’re going to face your future? These attitudes and habits can equip you to face it with hope, confidence and joy, whether it is a New Year, a new month, a new week or a new day.