The Heron's Perspective

Your 12 week newsletter to help you handle life's little and big challenges with grace and optimism.

Heron's Perspective on HOPE

Standing on the waters edge the heron waits patiently for a fish. Like a statue he stands, not moving a muscle or feather. An hour passes and nothing comes his way and yet he has hope for a fish. He walks in deeper, so slowly the water does not ripple. Finally, a fish swims in from the right, he watches while it swims in and round his legs; he waits until his snack is in the perfect strike zone. Plunging his sharp beak into the fish he lifts it out of the water and swallows it whole. He had patience and unwavering hope for a fish. What can you learn from the Heron about hope?

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.

-Desmond Tutu

Pillar on Hope

Pillars that offer insight and wisdom to ponder.

Hope is most noticeable when you no longer have it. When you realize you are missing it, there is no question about what is lost, it’s the light.

I see hope as the belief that tomorrow can be better than today. It is a key ingredient in wellness and sometimes it can be in short supply. Those days can feel Eeyoreish, long, gray, dragging and dark. Is it reasonable to feel that way? Sure, but just because it is reasonable and maybe even expected that does not mean that it’s serving you. When being Eeyore has gone on long enough and you are deep in victim thinking it’s time to take action, it’s time to cultivate hope.

Action Steps

Bite sized actionable things to help you get more hope.

Hope Action Steps

Coxswain

Ask an honest friend to be your coxswain. Ask them to sit in the boat with you as you do the work of rowing. This allows you to be present and focused on you. Their job is to keep their eyes on the goal and guide the boat.

Take Action

Find something that you can take action on. What is the thin edge to the wedge to making a change? We say thin edge because sometimes people get overwhelmed by bigger actions and it paralyzes them. Find something small and get to work.

Zoom Out

Spirituality has proven to increase hope. If you have or had a spiritual practice in your life, now is a good time to call on it. It is no secret that if you have faith, or spiritual beliefs, they often help people get through the tough times.

YODA

Find a mentor. Who can you think of who has been through a similar situation and has come out better for having gone thorough it? How can they serve you as a mascot or mentor?

Inquiry

Be curious as you read the questions below. Notice how they make you feel. What is exciting? What scares you? What are you willing to commit to?

Coxswain

Who is your coxswain?

What is your personal job description for them?

Take Action

What is the smallest thing you can do right now to make tomorrow better?

What habit are you willing to start or stop?

Spirituality

What can you look to that is larger than yourself?

How can you foster or start that connection?

Mentor

Who inspires you?

How can you remember to think of them?

That's it for this weeks's newsletter. I trust you have new insight and are walking away with actionable steps to move forward with grace and optimism. You can expect the next Herons Perspective to swoop in a week from today. If you are inspired please send this link to anyone who is looking for another path forward. I would love to hear how this resonates with you and what you would like more of, you can email me at here.

Be well and inspire others to do the same ,

Sara Corckran