By Nancy Virden (c)2025

Fresh goals, clean slate, another chance – these are some American sentiments saved for January 1 of any year. Resolutions motivate us to give our all to a winning strategy. Hope rises for success.

This gumption does not belong to January 1; in fact, we need it year-round to keep us on the path we choose. Our source of inspiration need not be purely emotional because our moods and wants will change over time.

What keeps us moving forward, striving for the best over the urgent, renewing our resolutions, and advancing? Hope. We hope it will work if we work it, hope that we chose this path wisely, and hope for the ultimate reward of what we define as success.

Distractions skew our focus. Moods (especially mood disorders) eliminate motivation. We grow forgetful of why we are trying and rationalize giving up. This is a loss of hope with many regrets to follow.

Hope turns our desire for the end result into teachability and positive action. Hope provides some energy to help face the next moment, hour, and day when it is tough to care. Hope allows change to come one step at a time.

Hope feels better!

Hope grows when we practice acting in the opposite way of how negative emotions suggest we act. Considering our values and who we want to be is a guide for our choices. Writing down what is important to us and keeping this list available where it can be seen forces us to make one decision each day- to stick to the status quo or read the list.

Maintain hope by using more powerful words. Speak less like a victim of circumstances.

Ask yourself: What kind of person do I want to be? What kind of life do I want to live? What step will I take today toward becoming that person?

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

Psalm 42:5,6

Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

If you are feeling suicidal or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S., call 988, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. For a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room; in the EU, call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here.) Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. 

NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional and speaks only from personal experience and observations. This website is not intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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