In
this week’s reflection blog, the theory of hope is discussed as being
elliptical. Meaning, hope is something that we can create within ourselves that
will allow us to modify our current reality far enough to the reality we
desire. According to Boyatzis and McKee, hope is an emotional state accompanied
by clear thoughts about what the future can be and how to get there (Boyatzis
& McKee, 2005). In other words, hope is the belief that circumstances in
the future will be better (Edmonds, n.d.). Hopefulness can lead to positive
emotions, thoughts, and feelings that in turn, allows us to gain superior
coping abilities to overcome stress, sadness, and even depression.
In
the video “Theory of Hope” by Oana Branzei, Branzei describes hope as something
fragile but resilient and transformative, and as moral but material and
beautiful (Branzei, 2013). In other words, hope is something that is both
delicate and strong. It can be transformative in the form of helping the now
hopeful person transform his or her current behaviors and thoughts to ones that
align with the person’s desired reality. Hope is also something honorable and
ethical but that can be materialized in the form of actions to help create
something beautiful. In the process of hope, Branzei describes hope as
connective, contagious, additive, multiplicative, exponential, and elliptical. Hope
is connective in the sense that it helps bridge people from different
backgrounds together. It’s contagious in the form of how positive emotions
become infectious to the people around the hopeful person. Hope is additive in
the sense that it can create a sense of friendship and bond over a cause or
situation that may eventually transform into a franchise. Hope is
multiplicative in the form that one person, who is experiencing hopefulness,
may give hope to those around him or her. Hope is exponential as it allows you
to build a community of friends and gives you the courage to continue forward
and help others along the way. Lastly, hope is elliptical, something that you
can create within yourself (Branzei, 2013).
Reflecting
on the information above, hope gives us the energy and positive emotions needed
to continue moving forward. I believe hope is very powerful and will give me
the energy and positive emotions needed for me to continue moving forward to
reach my dream and ideal self. Unfortunately, as I continue through this week’s
assignments, I continue to realize that my current dream is a dream influenced
by my parents. I feel as if I have no true dream or aspiration of who I want to
be as time continues. In part, I believe this feeling comes from being young
and not having as much experience as the rest of my classmates in this course. Although
I currently feel this way, hope does give me the aspiration, energy, and
positivity that I need to find out what I’m here to do, who I am as a person, what
matters most to me, what my true calling is, to try new different things, and
to give myself the chance to find that true dream and go for it. I can use hope
to modify my current reality by using this positive energy and emotions that
I’m currently feeling to figure out who my ideal self is and what my dreams are.
Hope enables people to modify their current reality and see with it far enough
into the reality they desire so they can keep moving forward (Branzei, 2013).
Therefore, once I know what my true dream is, hope can invoke the mental images
of a better future and it will help keep me going when the going gets tough.
References:
Boyatzis, R., & McKee, A.
(2005). Resonant leadership: Renewing yourself and connecting with others
through mindfulness, hope, and compassion. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School
Press.
Branzei, O. (2013). Oana
Branzei on the Theory of Hope. YouTube. Retrieved May 16, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH_pw4v7xXo
Edmonds, M.
(n.d.). HowStuffWorks "What is hope?". HowStuffWorks.
Retrieved May 16, 2014, from http://people.howstuffworks.com/what-is-hope.htm
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