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Is Hope a Good Thing?

Writer's picture: Jessica HughesJessica Hughes

The recent shift in the Democratic presidential nomination to Kamala Harris has sparked a range of emotions across the political spectrum, from renewed hope to increased concern. But this shift in energy has raised a thought I often ponder: Is hope a good thing?


In Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention, she referred to this idea of hope and how contagious it can be.


“The contagious power of hope. The anticipation, the energy the exhilaration of being on the cusp of a brighter day. The dream that we have all died and sacrificed for in America. Hope is making a comeback.”


The part that stood out to me the most was the notion that “hope was making a comeback.” As if the notion of hope had died, well maybe only for some. Does it insinuate that hope was nowhere to be found even in the smallest of details? 


Hope often involves looking for positive signs and carries an expectation of favorable outcomes. 

We always look for signs or indications that things will work out. But hope carries with it an expectation of a certain outcome. A positive outcome. 


After listening to Michelle’s speech, I also couldn’t help but remember a podcast episode from, We Can Do Hard Things, in which Glennon Doyle discusses the danger of hope. She describes it as “imperative but soul-crushing almost every time.”


While hope is a driving force for progress, it has a potential downside. The gap between hopeful expectations and reality can lead to suffering. This becomes particularly problematic when we hope for specific actions or outcomes from others, as it can lead to disappointment and blame when things don't go as anticipated.


When we hope for something, we expect it will turn out in our favor. You put your own personal spin on the situation or outcome. This becomes especially dangerous when we hope someone will act in a certain way or do something that is beneficial to us. And when they don't do what we expect them to do, we suffer.


So, is hope a good thing? No, I don’t think having hope is bad, in fact, it’s a necessity to keep us moving forward and to not get stuck in the ickiness of life. But the danger comes when it doesn’t turn out how we hoped and we blame that other person or situation for it not ending it how we expected it to.


The collective hope described by Michelle Obama differs from individual hope. It represents a shared aspiration of Kamala Harris's goal of becoming president, which many supporters also hope for. However, if this collective hope isn't realized, it could lead to widespread disillusionment and disappointment.


So, one could say hope can be viewed as a double-edged sword - a vital force that propels us forward, yet one that demands our continued belief in its value, regardless of whether our expectations are met.


And as Zen would say “Whether you hope or not, you can be disappointed. So you may as well hope.’

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