It’s hard to think of hope as being a hindrance. We’re taught from a young age to hold on to our hopes and our dreams no matter what happens in our lives. While this may be generally good advice, there are times when holding on simply holds us back.
It’s hard to think of hope as being a hindrance. We’re taught from a young age to hold on to our hopes and our dreams no matter what happens in our lives. While this may be generally good advice, there are times when holding on simply holds us back.
The following poem is the first I’ve written in quite some time, and I feel it encompasses this concept quite well. As they say, “Hope springs eternal.” In this case, the eternal spring was trapping me in a what-might-be that echoed a long lost what-might-have-been. To step forward, we must let go of the past’s ghosts.
A many-headed demon hunts me;
Vanquished again and again, it seems,
Only to rise and roar and rage
And wound me from within.
I thought I killed this damnable hope
The first time years ago – in answer
To a sundered love and parted lives.
And yet, I find in retrospect
A reticence to yield my heart
Disguised in strength and folly.
And I’m left with a sordid truth:
All along I’ve fed this demon
The shreds of dreams I once shared,
The freedom I felt I didn’t deserve.
And the only way to live
Is to let it go.
While this poem was inspired by the relinquishing of a long-past relationship, there are many instances in which we hold ourselves back because of the hidden hope of regaining or retaining some cherished situation. Our fond remembrances and subtle denial of the loss lead us to invent excuses to not try something new or to be overly critical of what might otherwise be a profound new experience or life path.
The idea of letting go is almost cliché, but have you considered that the reason you’re stuck is because you’re too optimistic? That some part of you believes, against all logic, that what was lost will be returned to you? Try keeping in mind that letting go of the faded good things will make room for the newer, vibrant good things in your life. Only by clearing out the half-empty spaces in your heart will you be free to fill them with new sources of happiness.
Cheesy? Yes, but true.
How have you dealt with this in your life? Comment and share to keep the discussion going. And subscribe via Email or by RSS if you like this blog!
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Debbie Hampton says:
August 31, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Great post. I agree with this unique perspective. Too much hope turns into limiting expectations, I believe. I have found it is always better just to be open and accepting. Then, see the good and make amazing things happen with the reality that is present. All things, even seemingly “bad” ones can turn out to be a blessing in disguise…if you make them that way. It is all in your thinking and doing with that with which you are presented. A brain injury taught me this. Check out my journey at http://thebestbrainpossible.blogspot.com
Wade Burch says:
September 1, 2010 at 6:10 am
Thank you for your response, and thank you for sharing your own, very apropos writings! I like the word you used here, “expectations.” It’s very true that we build up so many expectations in our lives, setting ourselves up for disappointment. The kicker is that we’d be just as happy in being surprised with no prior notions as we would in having our expectations met. While in some cases expectations help us to achieve more, in many cases they’re unnecessary and downright harmful.
Thank you again!
Debbie Hampton says:
August 31, 2010 at 7:46 pm
>Great post. I agree with this unique perspective. Too much hope turns into limiting expectations, I believe. I have found it is always better just to be open and accepting. Then, see the good and make amazing things happen with the reality that is present. All things, even seemingly "bad" ones can turn out to be a blessing in disguise…if you make them that way. It is all in your thinking and doing with that with which you are presented. A brain injury taught me this. Check out my journey at http://thebestbrainpossible.blogspot.com
Wade Burch says:
September 1, 2010 at 6:10 am
>Thank you for your response, and thank you for sharing your own, very apropos writings! I like the word you used here, "expectations." It's very true that we build up so many expectations in our lives, setting ourselves up for disappointment. The kicker is that we'd be just as happy in being surprised with no prior notions as we would in having our expectations met. While in some cases expectations help us to achieve more, in many cases they're unnecessary and downright harmful.
Thank you again!
Nikki says:
September 2, 2010 at 1:32 am
At the end of the day, one must find a balance of being optimistic of what we hope for and of being open to what the universe has planned for us. The former gives us motivation to move forward everyday, and the latter gives us a perspective that is often larger than what we would plan for, for ourselves, and is thus less self limiting.
Great post….as usual!