#ChooseHope

[girlactionfigure]

Meet Miriam the daughter of Bilgah.

A woman who faced unspeakable horrors and found herself lost in despair. But even in the darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of light. 

Miriam, witnessing the brutal oppression of her people and the desecration of the Holy Temple, felt hopeless and angry. She made the unthinkable choice to abandon her faith and marry an enemy officer. Yet, deep down, her connection to her Jewish heritage remained strong. 

When she approached the defiled altar, something stirred within her. In a moment of bitter pain, she struck the altar and cried out, “Wolf! Wolf!” (comparing the altar to a wolf that devours the daily offering of two sheep). “You consume the Jewish people’s wealth, but you don’t answer them in their time of need!” 

Questioning why G-d seemed silent in the face of suffering. This seemingly minor act of defiance resonated deeply because it revealed her unbreakable bond with G-d and her people. 

The Rebbe analyzes this story of Miriam and gleans powerful lesson from it. Our connection to G-d is eternal, no matter how far we may stray. Our past choices and mistakes do not define us; they are but superficial layers covering our true essence. Each moment presents an opportunity for redemption and reconnection. 

We can gather strength from Miriam's journey. Remember that even when life seems overwhelming and we question G-’ds plan, our actions matter. The seemingly small deeds we perform can have a profound impact on ourselves, our loved ones, and the world around us. 

Just as a single ingredient can make or break a dish, each one of us possesses unique gifts and talents that are vital to the tapestry of creation. Embrace your role, knowing that you are indispensable. The world depends on your contribution, and God eagerly awaits your positive actions. 

Let us support one another on this journey, for we all have a responsibility to uplift and strengthen those around us. Remember that your deeds carry immeasurable significance and are cherished by G-d. With every mitzvah we perform, we bring redemption closer, illuminating the path towards a brighter future. 

Together, let us strive to be the catalysts for positive change, spreading love, kindness, and hope in every moment. May our collective actions bring about the ultimate redemption, the revelation of peace and harmony for all. 

Sources: Talmud Sukkah 56b, The Lubavitcher Rebbe, 6 Tishrei, 5735 (September 22, 1974) Living Torah #255, 

Rabbi Yisroel Bernath

[validatewithin]

Pessimism excused as realism

When you label someone as a pessimist they always feel the need to say “I am a realist”.

People say “I’m a realist” as if their pessimism is actually just recognizing the truth that the world is just shit. Optimism and pessimism are separate from realism.

Realism is viewing the facts as they are. Good and bad things happen. Our world is a balance of opposing forces. Whether you’re a pessimist or an optimist has to do with the outcomes that you expect in a given situation. And I’m tired of people excusing pessimism as realism.

Horrible, awful, inhumane things happen every day. That most people are ignorant to. Most of these things are impossible to know about, excel for the big ones. War. Torture. Rape. Corruption. Murder. Betrayal. Cruelty. We would all be ignorant not to accept and acknowledge those facts. But realism involves recognizing the existence of both positive and negative aspects of life and acknowledging the dynamic nature of our world.

Every day amazing and beautiful human experiences take place in the world. The warmth of friendship, the depth of love, the power of people coming together to cause change. Someone finally feeling happy. Someone finally feeling safe. Sacred things like music and art. The natural beauty of the world. Learning, growth, improvement, progress. Kindness.

Yet these positive aspects are overlooked and overshadowed by our fixation on negativity. We minimize the significance of these moments. Cruelty stems from a lack of love, from damage, and from pain. Often, those events are not someone’s fault. That’s why I think that the good in life is more significant than the bad. Everyone has experienced pain. Everyone has experienced things that could have driven them to negativity or cruelty or corruption. But people choose to grow from pain and embrace positivity and love, which is not easy. Being good is the harder choice.

Maybe the world is against us. Maybe there are systems set in place that are not in everyone’s favor and there are people in control with bad intentions. I think that some of those things can be viewed as objective facts. The world is not fair. But we have to be intentional with how we choose to view and discuss the world.

Viewing the world as irredeemably negative might limit our ability to contribute to our improvement. It might lead to a sense of powerlessness and apathy. Hope in itself can be a driving force for positive change, motivating people to actively engage in creating a better world. Hope is not synonymous with ignorance. Hope is a conscious choice to recognize the full spectrum of human experiences.

We don’t have a choice but to feel hope. We have to be realistic. But it is our duty to stay good and to recognize the good and opportunities in the world. There are people in horrible conditions, who have experienced much more pain than I have, that still feel hope. As someone who is very privileged I feel responsible to embrace hope, share it, and make a meaningful impact with the life that I’ve been given.

Individual actions can be transformative. Human beings have always had the potential for positive growth and impact, in the face of adversity and all odds against us. Do not lead your life ignorant, that is not acceptable. Being aware is such a hard choice. Being good is even harder. Remaining positive is the hardest choice. But it is our responsibility. Harness resilience, contribute to positive change, help to shape a world that reflects the beauty and potential for good that exists alongside the challenges. Our ability to aspire towards goodness, to help others, and to remain hopeful and positive, despite the complexities of life, despite pain and suffering, is what makes us human. Be a human being.

[seventrance]

Even here ; Choose hope

(even in uncertainty, your heart can still choose hope)

- Morgan Harper Nichols

[elizzybethtalkss]

I am rapidly cycling through manic highs and manic lows. I don’t know how many weeks now, I’ve lost track but I know I am feeling like the bottom of the barrel. And I want to feel that peace again. Where my mind isn’t racing twenty-four hours a day. Where my chest doesn’t feel like theres a black hole replacing it. Where I feel human and normal.

How normalized is bipolar disorder? Because just today I’ve gone from restless, active, depressed, horny, depressed, horny, worthless, random bursts of active ideas but my body doesn’t move a muscle. Back to horny and depressed. All while laying in bed. Unable to lift my bones from the surface. Unable to grasp what is going on in my body. Hours laying in my bed going through that pattern of emotion.

I found myself painting my nails, starring out the window and doing an eye shadow look thirty minutes later. A cute outfit and some jewelry will mask this hot mess I actually am. Where did this energy and the will to exist in the real world come from?

Last week I was somewhat neutral but had higher energy than normal. The weeks before I was manic depressed. This week I am manic depressed. I am medicated and go to therapy. I do the things to stay sane. I do the fucking things, for the slightest bit of normalcy. For a day of - ok this is going to be ok - but then to just load up with every ounce of anxiety that exists on this planet.

“You need to find someone to put up with your ass everydaaaayyyyy first”

My biggest fear.

[ramblingsofasurvivor]

Yesterday, I had several appointments at the VA in Columbus. I have not driven myself there for a few weeks, because I have been having some issues with my balance and dizziness. I was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease a few weeks back and I have been learning to adjust. Things I once took for granted are having to be relearned in a different way so as to not aggravate it. Anyway. On my way there today, I began praying to God to watch over me and deliver me there and back safely. Now I do not know about you, but every time I begin talking to God while I drive, I cry!!! I do not know what it is about it, but this time with Him, when it is just He and I, alone in the truck with praise music in the background, I break loose. I let things out that I did not even know I was holding in. Today was no different. A wave of emotion came over me as I remembered today was the anniversary of my Mother in law’s passing. That led me to thinking about my own Mom, because my MIL had told me she would be my Mom since mine has passed and then a few short years later God called her home too. I asked God to allow me to be a light to someone on my journey today, that He would help me be the person He created me to be and that His light would shine through me. Then, I began thinking of how I am afraid of the dark, and how God and light drives out the darkness. I began thinking back of when it was I became afraid of the dark, and I have associated it with when my Mom passed, and we closed the lid on her casket. But today while having this memory and talk with God a different thought came over me. That was not when it began, my fear of the darkness began when I gave my life to God, when I came out of the darkness. Maybe this was Gods way of keeping me from going back in, to keep me from being lured back. The darkness was not really darkness at all, but the evil and sin that I used to live in and the closing of the casket was just a representation of how at that moment, the moment of death, we either are living an eternal life of darkness or light. I am not sure if any of this makes sense to anyone else, but it did to me. I want to continue to walk in the light, to continue to have God light my way and drive the darkness and what lurks in it away from me. I choose light!!!

[healveterans]

It's a new day with a new administration, and two four-leggeds in the White House, Champ and rescue Major. Read a cool article about the legacy of dogs at the White House. Woof! Going for positivity and restored hope. Onward!

https://www.dogingtonpost.com/first-dogs-the-long-legacy-of-dogs-in-the-white-house/

[shrinenarts]

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A post shared by Shrinenarts (@shrinenarts)

Day 10: HOPE Hope for the better future, for better self and happiness 🖤😊 Time to find yourself is NOW 🥳 . Keep Smiling . #inktoberart #inktober #inktoberprompts #inktober2020 #learn #explore #dailypractice #motionart #selflove #hope #choosehope #timeforself #nightsky #shootingstar #moonlight #consistencyiskey #doodles #doodlesofinstagram #art #shrinenarts https://www.instagram.com/p/CGLBdqxHstJ/?igshid=11n40mpu0vv7w

[wendyhopephotography]

What I would do to swim in a pool with clean blue water... 💫📸💫 by @wendyhoperocks #makeup by @marginadennis #model is Michelle with @newyorkmodels #retouched by the lovely @tracytolerstudio #beauty #beautyofig #beautyaddict #alwaysonaladder #waterproofmakeup #editorialmakeup #summervibes special thanks and #gratitude to @klidz @thegraykid #choosehope (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCwQjk7pOkO/?igshid=1k0ba4z57i27e

[johnkmelvin]

Some of the consumer products we’ve chosen to highlight here with @sienaart and will feature how they can be upcycled at my workshop tomorrow. Note how each says they cannot be reused. Apparently, beer kegs have gone plastic along with large volume water bottles. Perhaps we should think a bit more before we buy. 🤔 Thank you . . . . . #art #contemporaryart #sculpture #publicart #artist #artnomad #artcollector #ecoart #wip #plasticfree #johnkmelvin #thankful #artistsoninstagram #makersgonnamake #reducereuserecycle #upcycle #climatecrisis #choosehope #travelwithpurpose #smartconsumer (at Siena Art Institute) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3_pyU_I047/?igshid=1xumx04fnmhl7

[drsafehands]

HPV FACTS :

[maxyeo]

"Once You Choose Hope, Anything's Possible" - Christopher Reeve As Long as We are Alive, Anything is Possible. Everyday is a new Hope. And as long as we are willing to work towards our goal, we will get there regardless of our starting point. #Life #Choice #Choices #LifeChoice #LifeChoices #Choose #ChooseHope #ChooseLife #ChooseYou #ChooseYourself #Hope #Change #IMpossible #IAmPossible #Possible #Possibility #Possibilities #AnythingIsPossible #Willing #Willingness #StriveForExcellence #StriveForGreatness #Strive #Grit #Hustle #Work #WorkForIt #StartingPoint #ANewHope https://www.instagram.com/p/CdJEtFjpHyG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[pushactivate]

@ Pushactivate we can Create the Future with our Minds... #createthefuturewithourminds #becausethereisnoplanetb #changetheimpossible #chooselove #choosehope #choosetobelieve #loveispure #loveheals #loveiseverything #beginbybelieving https://www.instagram.com/p/CRb2CIznBC_/?utm_medium=tumblr

[theloveandkindnessblog]

Building a home

The pain and hardships that we go through in life often make us feel like we are left in rubble and ruins. However our hardships and pain do not define us. They are simply reminders of how beautifully human we are. 

We have to keep pushing through hardships and pain, because the good and beautiful are coming so soon. Take the rubble and ruins that are left from pain and hardships, and build a home with them. A beautiful home with big windows and glittery floors, filled with everything that makes you smile. Do this to remind yourself that pain is not permanent or about what you are going through, but more so what you are going to do with it. Never forget to hold onto Hope it is a reminder to hold on because pain ends. Choose the beauty of this life, choose to build a home, and choose yourself. Your mind deserves a beautiful home and you deserve to be happy. 

Pain in this life is something we will all experience. However how we let the pain affect us is up to us to decide. There is a choice, to be stuck in our pain or to use it as a catalyst to live our best life. Instead of “why me?” ask “what now?” or “what is this teaching me?”

The choice is yours.

With love always 

Nic

[elizzybethtalkss]

You have all the power to make me spiral, to make me feel on top of the world. I don’t think I’ll ever unlove you, for you saw me in my most devilish form.

[youniquebygailb]

Hope...a feeling of trust. Fear....a distressing emotion. Holding onto both creates a battle field of emotions deep within. Seize fire! RELEASE! Choose HOPE and let God fight your fear. Read Psalm 27 1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? —————————————- #fridaymorning #prayerworks #choosehope #fearnot #psalm27 #womenoffaith #healthcareworker #beautyentrepreneur (at Montreal, Quebec) https://www.instagram.com/p/CKEmQJejVzH/?igshid=wzp76p0v9mri

[jrpia]

Once you choose HOPE, anything is possible. #ChooseHOPE #ChooseDLSU 💚💚💚 (at De La Salle University) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIsAR2SFQe7/?igshid=1c4d1aqr1nd2d