Be A Hoper!

By Dawn M.S. Miller, CFRE, Vice President—Annual Fund
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As I watched the morning news today, I couldn’t help to notice the words the anchors kept repeating: devastating, doom and gloom, death toll, recession, depression, job loss, not going back to normal, scared people, out of an abundance of caution, lockdown…Blah!
 
What a way to get moving in the morning time! Rarely did I hear the words hope, light, inspiring, things are better, moving in the right direction, laughter, recovered and going home, more family time, etc. If “we’re all in this together” then we need some good news to share too.
 
Listen, I’m no Pollyanna. I know things aren’t always happy and going well, especially during a pandemic and quarantine. In some ways it appears folks are addicted to hearing all the COVID-19 horror stories. And we all know that listening to hours of the news can send anyone down the rabbit hole. So where are the positive, uplifting stories? Perhaps they are within you.
 
Today, try to be the good in the world. Banish the bad stuff and open your heart to the good stuff. Be a HOPER—a person who hopes and trusts that things will turn out for the best. Stop and smell the flowers. Laugh at all the Zoom meetings you attend, and someone is always muted. Make a homemade meal from your childhood. Use sidewalk chalk to share witty messages with your neighbors. Enjoy your all-day yoga pants while you can. Remember that coloring books aren’t just for kids. Pull out those old board games. Donate to your favorite nonprofit in honor of a healthcare worker. Make a list of things you are grateful for. Learn how to beatbox and entertain your family with clever mixes. Start a fairy garden so little children can play on their walks. Listen to music that soothes your soul.
 
If you need a reminder of the good in the world, listen to Andrea Bocelli singing Amazing Grace on Easter Sunday by invitation of the Duomo Cathedral of Milan. Bocelli’s performance represents a message of love, healing, and hope to Italy and the world. For this, I am happy to shed a joyous tear. At LBH, we are HOPERS! Are you?
 
As always, Let’s Build Hope is here for you and your nonprofit. Contact us if you need a bit of hope in your life today: (314) 716-2496 or LetsBuildHope@lbh-stl.com. And remember to believe and have courage--we can do this!
 
#LBH #LetsBuildHope #BeAHoper #MusicForHope

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