Making decisions guided by HOPE

On Dropping Knowledge, there was a question I came across pertaining to hope and fear. It got me thinking that we let fear guide our choices too much. Hope exists in almost all, or perhaps even all, of the big decisions we have to make. Does it not? The problem is that hope often comes with big risks and sacrifices, and it’s often overshadowed by the amount of fear we have that something wrong or bad is going to happen, or that people are going to look at us in an awful way.

So what do we do? We take the less risky choice; we don’t pursue the choice that involves hope. Fear tends to rule our life, and as a result, a lot of people are unhappy and dissatisfied with their jobs, relationships, etc.

But what if we CONSCIOUSLY made our decisions guided by hope rather than fear? What do you think the outcome would be?

Now, I’m not naïve enough to think that making choices based on hope will undoubtedly lead you to happiness. In fact, my theory is that it will cause a lot more problems...initially. But in the long run, will you be happier? I think so.

So I challenge you to make choices guided by HOPE. Let’s test this theory out. You know how we all have those nagging choices that linger in the back of our head? It could be that dream, that goal, that lifestyle change, or that person you’ve always admired from afar.

It could be anything, any decision you have to make, big or small. Let hope guide your choice and see what happens. Start small—that’s okay to do. Need to decide what to eat for lunch? Let hope steer you. Try it out for even just a day, if you want. I know it’s a gutsy thing to do, but just try it. I will do the same.