The Wisdom of Hope

How do you navigate the unknown? 

Confession time: I have always been annoyed by the word ‘hope.’ It seemed too vague and part of manipulative fundraising. I’ve much preferred the solid confidence expressed in ‘hope is not a strategy.’ I’m starting to see how wrong I was.  

Hope is an underlying setting toward life that animates the adaptive and healthy pursuit of our deepest goals: We hope our children will flourish. We hope that we will maintain our health. We hope for a happy marriage. There is no certainty or proven strategy to achieve any of these. Instead, it is hope that inspires and guides the sustained effort and adaptive response needed for success.

Confidence and proven strategies are great when life is familiar and we can walk on a marked trail. However, when we’re in unknown territory, inventing, and seeking breakthrough ideas, we need to set our compass toward the inspiring pull of hope.