overwhelming. We look around and see so many obstacles: poverty,
intolerance, even indifference. We are on the verge of losing hope.
At times like these, I think of Bill Sackter. I've found him to be an
extraordinary source of hope and inspiration. He spent nearly half a century
in the old Faribault State Hospital in Minnesota, completely cut off from
family, friends and community. But he emerged with his spirit intact.
It's that remarkable spirit he brought to Iowa City. It's that
same spirit he shared wherever he went. It's also the spirit which Barry
Morrow captured in the two movies, "Bill" and "Bill On His Own."
I recently talked about this spirit of Bill at a service learning
conference. It was part of a presentation on "Sustaining hope for the
long haul."
FIVE IDEAS FOR
SUSTAINING HOPE
How does one keep hope alive? How can one find the strength to continue social
and community work despite the obstacles and the failures?
I have come up with five ideas on restoring and sustaining hope which I plan
to take with me to the conference in Minneapolis:
1. Places
John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club, spent much of his life trying to
protect areas of wilderness so they could continue to serve as places of
inspiration for future generations. Paul Gruchow described this as the
"necessity of empty places." Wallace Stegner said this is a "geography of
hope."
Of course, not all of the places which restore the soul are rural, something
acknowledged in the Beatles' tune: "There are places I remember..." I think
each of us has places we go to restore hope. For myself, there are five
which come to mind: Field of Dreams in Dyers ville, Iowa, Minnehaha Falls in
Minneapolis, Alum Rock Park in San Jose, Jane Addams' gravesite in
Cedarville, Illinois and the Pacific Ocean behind the San Francisco Zoo.
2. Music
Music has the power to restore. My inspirations range from Pachabel to Led
Zeppelin, from Mozart to the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The best gifts I have
received in the last couple of years have been "home brew" CDs of music.
3. Friends
Hanging out with friends is a way to restore and sustain hope, especially
friends who are engaged in similar struggles. There are friends I call and
say: "Remind me again, why are we doing this."
4. Youth
Listening -- really listening to young people -- is another way to restore
hope. I am impressed not only by the idealism of youth, but also by their
persistence; not only by their "sense of wonder," but also by their
practicality.
5. Thoughtful moments
You may call it meditation, contemplation or even prayer. But these are
times when I am able to clear away the clutter of life and consider the
"meaning of life" stuff. It could be in concert with any of the other four
ways of sustaining hope or on its own. Recently, these moments have come
while rereading "Frannie and Zooey" and the Letters of Jane Addams.
That's what I have come up with so far. Have some additional ideas? I'm
interested in hearing from you.
Posts
11 comments:
when I left my domestic violence relationship i was plagued by anxiety attacks and nightmares for years. When I moved to Sioux Falls, I found Falls Park, it wasn't quite the same as Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis, but it worked just the same. calm, peaceful, reverent. children are my favorite people, nonjudgemental, unconditional love. music kept me from hearing his words constantly in my head. all the things you have listed have kept me sane and restored my soul, also my pit bull, bob marley.
darlos cook
Like Darlos, I too have things that fit under all of these categories to find my peace. Music has always been a huge part of me and what keeps me sane. Young children are always to excited about everything and hopeful. It forces one to not take things to seriously and try and find the good. My place of choice is anywhere that's quite and comfortable, preferably my bed :) All of these things are vital to anyone's well-being. It is always good to keep these things close.
-Leslie Stusiak
I have this thing with making scrapbooks; I've made books to remind me of things I should be grateful for, a book of goals....And to help help sustain hope - a book could be made. It wouldn't be hard to compile images, song lyrics or other things that keep you inspired.
Music is very important for me. It is strange to mewhen I find people who are never moved by music. Some barely even notice the significance and the art of music. This fact makes me passionate about getting people to hear the stories that are being told by songs.
Places are very important as well. I usually have to leave the city every weekend and go back home, where I'm surrounded by more trees, the river, and simplicity. This helps keep me grounded and relaxed.
What I find relaxing is song and dance. I also like, the beautiful parks lakes and springs. It is soo southing when you live in a peaceful enviroment. I enjoy the company of mature adults.
Veronica
Places, music, friends, youth and thoughtful moments are very important in a person's life. When I lose focus on what is important or first things first then I get out of balance. It's hard at times but a good song, and a prayer gets me calmed down. I can see clearly instead of being engulfed in pity for myself and those I love.Some suffer greatly and overcome. I become ashamed of being selfish, I have to get out of I and look at others, then I become thankful for all I have. Then I can enjoy life and others around me.
B Kirk
I cannot imagine my life without friends, music,my animals and laughter. I was able to spend a few days at Lake Madison this last weekend. It was one of the most relaxing things I have been able to do in my hectic scheduled life. My stomach hurt from laughing for hours at a time with friends and music. If someone told me they were taking these things out of my life then I would say just let me die. Because without them my life would not be complete. My best place to hang when I need time away from stress is in my yard watching my animals do something silly or just laying next to me. This is what I call peace. This is from Just Deb
My son gives me hope and keeps me inspired. He's the reason why I'm doing what I'm doing. Every time I feel down, depressed, and ready to give up on the world I take one look at my precious beautiful son and remember why I'm here and why I'm doing what I'm doing. If I ever lost my son that would be the end for me. My dreams, hope, and inspiration would be completely gone. I would no longer be Sarah. He's the number one thing in my life that keeps me going and that gives me hope and inspiration to achieve that American Dream. When I'm down I listen to music. Simple Plan is my all time favorite band. When I'm feeling down and ready to give up I put in my Simple Plan cd and sing along and cry and after the cd is done with I feel so much better. Music definitely inspires me and helps me out a lot. I find that I can relate to a lot of songs and listening to those songs over and over again helps me to keep on going and gives me hope. I love to sit outside on a warm summer day by the river behind KCC and read a book or work on homework. To me it is relaxing and gives me time to breath and take a step out of reality. Just me, the bench, the birds, and a good book. I think it's important for everybody to have that one thing that gives them hope and inspiration whether it's their children, a book, a hobby, or a favorite place.
Sarah J.
When I was in a relationship that involved domestic violence I was so lost that I didn't know what to do. When this happened to me everytime I would go for walks just to relax myself and have confident in myself that I can leave this relationship and move on. My friends, music, places, the youth and thoughtful thoughts helped me get through this fear that I had when I was ready to leave the relationship. These obstacles helped me through a lot that I didn't think I could get through on my own. My little brother was the only one that kept me going. He gives me the hope and inspires me to keep doing what I am doing now. Like going to college and working at Dairy Queen part time. When I would feel lonely, lost, and hurt I would think of my little brother. He makes me happy and makes me want to do more in life.
J. Cavanaugh
I have truly overcome the feeling that there was no hope. When I was addicted to drugs, alcohol, and in a abusive relationship for 10 years, and I was learning to be a new parent, I found hope. My son's father went to prison and I learned how to grow on my own. I suffered some and yet I grew up in life. I have just reached to a higher power other than myself. I prayed to have no more taste, smell and want of any of my addictions and to be free. When I truly knew that my faith was where it needed to be and that was with God I then moved forward in life. Since I have done what I can for those in need, reached out to the youth and do what I can for the elderly. It fills my spirit knowing that I am doing something good for someone else other than myself. I have been 3 1/2 years free of drugs or alcohol. I am a stable parent, obtaining my education, I am also an educator. Plus I have learned that giving is the greatest gift we can give.
Toni
One that gives me hope is my walk on this earth. It seems one endless days that I sit and wonder what can i do to help this situation. Is there a outcome that is or could be done in a positive way. One that gives me hope is my history. Remembering that they did a lot for me to be here today and that i will keep on striving to survive and tell my story whatever it may be. Even if it is a older person or younger person. I have to agree that the music can smooth one feeling but so can art. In the past when something was not right i painted or even sketch. I turn to many different aspects of my culture to build a substainable support for myself in my life. I truely see myself as a aspiratinn to young people because i try to be a person that is laughter and fun but on the other hand loving. Some one that is listening and would say need a friend.....Derek
When I am struggling, I just like to go some place quiet where I can think or I usually talk to my friend from high school...I have talked to her about alot of things and she gives me advice and helps me and I do the same for her in return! I would also just take my son to the playground and just watch him play because watching him makes things better and then I realize why I am trying to make myself a better person and getting a degree! I don't know what I would do without him!
~Kristi S.~
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