Flashing Fish of Hope

There have been times when I've been so angry
or so hurt that I thought my love would never
recover. And then, in the midst of near despair
something has happened beneath the surface. A
bright little flashing fish of hope has flicked
silver fins and the water is bright and suddenly I
am returned to a state of love again--till next
time. I've learned that there will always be a
next time, and that I will submerge in darkness
and misery, but that I won't stay submerged.
And each time something has been learned
under the waters; something has been gained;
and a new kind of love has grown.

MADELEINE L’ENGLE, THE IRRATIONAL SEASON

Go read it again. Seriously, read it again. Slowly. Maybe even out loud.

I will say only that hope psychology has a useful term: “hope reminding.”

Yes, agency and pathways are needed to experience hope. But it doesn’t take a lot! Especially in our darkest moments, when we “submerge in darkness and misery,” all we really need is the tiniest of reminders that there is goodness in the world. That little reminder of ultimate hope— that isn’t little at all— is enough.

May “a new kind of love” grow in you today.

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