You Cannot have Fear without Hope

I’m reminded this month that the world is built on polarity.  There are two ends of every spectrum.  Identifying the ends (and points in between) allows us to navigate this world with more awareness, creativity, and success.

For instance, consider fear and hope.  They are opposites.  Fear is on one end and hope is on the other end.

Also consider that it is impossible to only have one end of the spectrum.  This world couldn't exist without both ends because of polarity.  Our planet has a north and south pole.  It is impossible to describe someone as tall if you cannot describe someone else as short.  It is impossible to have big if you don't have small.

And consider that some words describe a relative point along the spectrum.  I've heard people use words such as “scary”, which is different for each person. It cannot be defined as a fixed point like fear and hope.

This awareness helps me each day as I recognize my fears.  I remind myself when I feel fear to also look for hope because it must exist.  

Right now, as much of the world is engulfed in fear, I’m looking for hope.  The more I tune into hope, the more I feel positive energy running through my veins.  When coronavirus began closing down Kansas City on Friday March 13, I immediately used this energy to get my family to the Florida sun.  I’ve been using this energy in both my personal and professional life these past two weeks to expand a sense of hope.

There is no doubt that many people are suffering.  Some are dead because of COVID-19.  Others have a legit reason to be afraid for their lives (my dad is one of them because of underlying conditions).  The economy is grinding to a halt, and people are being furloughed in masses.  Hourly workers are without income.  Families are crammed into homes not meant to house them 24hrs/day.  

We know the COVID-19 threat is "temporary".  We will eventually overcome it, stop sheltering in place, and return back to our "normal" lives. 

And we also know this will bring "permanent" shifts to our lives.  These stressors are an essential part of the world.  For most of us, this will make us stronger.