WHAT GIVES ME HOPE
Surviving, 2022, Rupy C. Tut.What gives me hope... It’s an interesting question to pose to someone – although maybe it’s a little heavy for a first encounter. But... the answer can reveal a lot about what makes someone tick. Maybe for the workaholics amongst us, there’s a promotion on the near horizon that keeps the motivation flowing. Or maybe the election of a specific politician makes it feel more hopeful that the problems we see around us... might change.
Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have a spiritual teacher that taught me A LOT. They spoke about the importance of acting with intention and making space for reflection. Often, sharing these lessons in a simple parable that captured the idea perfectly. Like a story about a traveller who came to a fork in the road. Choose the rocky path through a dense, shadowy forest, orrrrr take the well-worn path in the open sky?
The traveller, feeling courageous and wanting a more authentic experience, took the risk and was all the better for it.
Just like with the traveller, the most difficult experiences change us the most. I thought about that when planning a 5-city tour of an exhibition – having to sort out the logistics, get everyone on the same page, spread the word… it was daunting to say the least. I was faced with a lot of choices. Take the safe route, or make a thrilling step into the unknown? Don’t get me wrong, sometimes the safer route is the sensible choice. It’s called project management, not project gambling, for a reason. But... I knew everyone would have been disappointed at the end if everything was too neat and predictable... that would have guaranteed failure.
I take a lot of hope not just from the parable itself, but from all the wisdom and insight that’s present in the world. People have been sharing these stories for generations for a reason. And with a healthy balance of intention and reflection, I can tap into this timeless knowledge in my day-to-day life. It's about showing up, doing the work that aligns with my deepest values, and moving forward with purpose – and a little hope.
Other Pause for Thought
