Talking and thinking about hope brings one big question up: where to begin? 

It can feel overwhelming when we face the mess, when we let in the dreadful news of all the tragedies happening in our world, and we may start wondering whether we can do anything about it anyway. 

I believe we need to acknowledge that the times we’re living in confront us with realities that are painful to face and difficult to take in. This acknowledgement can be hurting, but at the same time it can also be the starting point of an amazing journey that strengthens us and deepens our aliveness. The purpose of this journey is to understand, that hope without action is not what we need. What we need instead is the action of every single person, whether this is a small or a big one, we need active people in the world and we need millions of them. 

Whatever situation we face, we can choose our response to it. When facing overwhelming challenges, we might feel that our actions don't count for much. Yet the kind of responses we make and the degree to which we believe they count, are shaped by the way we think and feel about hope. 

Welcome to the new episode of the Project HOPE Podcast!