Hope, Love and Kindness on the Florida Suncoast

We can all be a part of change in the world by tapping into the sociological concept of shared beliefs, ideas, attitudes and knowledge that are common to our society – the source of solidarity. Founding sociologist Émile Durkheim developed this concept to explain how unique individuals are bound together into collective units like social groups and societies. When we live and act from a place of hope, love, and kindness, on a deep level we stimulate these qualities in others – both near and far. As their hope and compassion is awakened, it increases the strength of the signal, awakening more hearts in turn. This is how hope goes viral.

Even when things seem hopeless

Today’s world seems to be filled with more negativity, “us versus them” thinking and more hopelessness than ever before. It’s almost impossible to avoid the “news” regarding the status of the current situation without being overcome with fear and doubt about the future.

All of us need to care for each other and for ourselves. Mental health and physical health are being impacted in a way that we have never experienced. Meditation, like humor and laughter, is medicine for the mind and soul. It is a practice where an individual uses a technique such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state.

Take your mind to this short quiz from Chopra Center Meditation to determine your stress style. An important observation to make during these difficult times and an excellent tool to navigate your way each day. We need to “do the work” everyday to renew our sense of trust and optimism. When we do, we will find peace of mind in the midst of turmoil and help our global community find hope and optimism.

The power of hope is real; hope is the source of our strength.

Stay safe.

Twinkle Yochim wrote about The Art of Songwriting as Meditation.

Photo “High School Student Painting” is courtesy of The Chopra Center.