By Executive Director Claire Louge
When I sit down to write this note, I use it as an opportunity to reflect on the themes that have emerged in my last month’s conversations. November felt like a whirlwind of intense events and deep discussions. In the ups and downs of the month, the theme that visited again and again was the undeniable necessity of hope.
I’ve written on hope before, but I think such a concept deserves many sequels. In our roles serving children and families, hope is the current that powers effective work. Hope is knowing we have the ability to make things better. Hope is why and how we do what we do.
But we don’t always feel hope. I sometimes lose it.
In those moments when I sink into cynicism or despondency, it may feel good to wax on about the depth and breadth of the problems, and name every single entity at blame, and feel perfectly surrendered to the swamp of knowing that nothing I alone can do will ever be enough.
And then someone shares their hope with me, and everything changes, like lighting a match in a pitch-dark room. And I start feeling motivated to play the part I can to create the world I want to live in.
For me, this month, hope was ignited by many things:
- A dear friend reminding me that humans have been through hard things, and the way we get through is together.
- The joy of being together with a group of passionate, smart, motivated people from all over the country at the meeting of Prevent Child Abuse America chapters.
- Being surrounded by and connected to so many people who care deeply about people.
- Witnessing and being part of conversations in which conflicts arose, and people listened, took accountability, and expressed gratitude for one another.
- The mind-blowing competence of my daughter’s childcare provider.
- That it feels like autumn in Phoenix, finally.
What brings you hope right now?
If you’re having a tough time answering that, I see you. If you’re up for it, ask someone to share their hope with you.
If you’re feeling hope, share it. Especially when everything is feeling hard for you or those around you. Hope shared is hope multiplied.
Prevent Child Abuse America has a North Star: All children and families are living a purposeful and happy life with hope for the future. We aren’t just about avoiding bad things. We’re about propelling good things for kids and families, and the key to that is promoting a sense in them that things are going to be okay, and that they have what it takes to surmount their challenges, and that things might even turn out great.
To instill hope in those you serve, you need to have hope. Cultivate it. Share it. Hope shared is hope multiplied.