Check In on Your HOPE Status

Hope can feel like a distant concept in the middle of everyday responsibilities. But in its simplest form, hope is made of two things: what you want and what you believe is possible.

When those two pieces are in harmony, hope becomes a quiet driving force. When they’re out of sync, it can feel like spinning your wheels.

So, when was the last time you checked in on your own sense of hope?

This isn’t about toxic positivity or wishful thinking. It’s about pausing long enough to reflect on where you’re placing your energy, and whether your expectations and beliefs still align with your values and your goals.

1. What do you want right now?

Goals change. Life changes. What may have felt important a year ago might not hold the same meaning today.

Ask yourself:

• Is what I’m working toward still meaningful to me?

• Is this goal rooted in clarity or pressure?

• Have I taken the time to define what success looks like for me, not someone else?

Sometimes, simply updating your goals to reflect your current season of life can restore energy and focus.

2. What do you believe is possible?

Hope gets shaky when belief falters.

• Are you holding on to a vision that no longer feels achievable?

• Are you letting past disappointments cloud your belief in progress or change?

• Have external voices or setbacks caused you to shrink your expectations?

  
  

This is the moment to reframe. Belief doesn’t mean knowing exactly how things will turn out. It means giving yourself permission to move forward with conviction, even when the path is uncertain.

3. Do you need patience, or a pivot?

Sometimes, our expectations need to shift, not because we’ve failed, but because we’ve grown. Other times, we’re exactly where we need to be, and it’s time to trust the process.

If you’re feeling stuck or discouraged, ask:

• Am I expecting progress on a timeline that isn’t realistic?

• Do I need to adapt my approach or re-establish my support system?

• Is it time to recommit, or redirect?

There’s strength in knowing the difference.

Hope isn’t static. It grows when nurtured, and fades when neglected.

This week, take a few moments to reflect:

• What do I want?

• What do I believe?

• And what needs to shift to bring those two things back into alignment?

  
  

You don’t need perfect clarity to move forward. You just need a reason to keep going.

-Dennis