Is there a secret to finding hope?

We often use the words happy and hope interchangeably, but they aren’t quite the same. Happiness can be a moment, a warm cup of coffee, a sunny afternoon, or a good laugh with a friend. Living in the present.

Hope, though? Hope runs deeper; it is future-oriented. Hope steadies us and connects us to purpose. Happiness may flutter in and out daily, but hope roots us like a big ole tree, hundreds of years old that has stood the test of time.

In my world, where dogs nap at my feet, I look for quiet moments outdoors, and where I believe in tossing out Nuggets of Hope whenever I can, living with hope is what truly carries us forward.

If you’ve been searching for that steadier feeling, that sense that things matter and you matter, here are a few gentle nudges toward living with hope.

Find What Lights You Up

There is no actual secret to living with or finding hope. Hope often grows where purpose lives.

What makes your eyes brighten? What makes you lose track of time? What feels less like obligation and more like alignment?

For me, it’s writing. It’s walking through the trees with a dog leash in hand. It’s sitting across from someone who needs to be heard. It’s sharing stories that remind us we are not alone.

When you spend time doing what matters to you, you begin to feel anchored.

Hope doesn’t have to roar; sometimes it whispers, “This feels right.” Listen for that.

Give Your Time

A great way to cultivate hope within yourself is to give it to others.

Volunteering, helping a neighbor, checking in on someone who’s struggling. These acts don’t just benefit others; they remind us that we have something meaningful to offer.

I’ve seen this time and time again whileworking alongside veterans, families, and volunteers over the years. There is something powerful about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with others for a shared cause. It strengthens you in ways you don’t expect.

Hope multiplies when it’s shared. And let’s be honest, there is something incredibly healing about doing something good beyond yourself.

Dexter would like to add: "I help my Lady Mum with ' chores'. She feeds the birds or other critters, and I sniff around, chase squirrels, and keep an eye on everything. I let her know if something comes into our space. I’m a good boy that way. And smart.”

My Dexter, he’s very committed to “service”.

Pay Attention to What Drains You and What Fills You

Hope grows best in healthy soil. Sounds like a cheesy cliché, but it’s true.

Check in with yourself and how you feel after spending time with certain people or in certain environments. Do you feel lighter? Encouraged? Or do you feel drained and unsettled?

This isn’t about judging anyone. It’s about protecting your peace. Let’s face it. We all need to do this from time to time.

Sometimes living with hope requires setting gentle boundaries. Saying no. Choosing quiet over chaos. Choosing the walk in the woods over another scroll through noise.

When I take Dexter for a walk after a heavy day, I can feel my nervous system settle. The rhythm of our footsteps. The wind in the trees. The reminder that creation keeps moving forward.

That’s hope, too.

Have Something to Look Forward To

Life can be hard, and some days feel heavier than others. But those who live with hope intentionally plant small moments to anticipate.

Maybe it’s a new coffee creamer (you know I appreciate a good cup of coffee). Maybe it’s watching the sunrise. Maybe it’s dinner with a friend or stepping outside after the rain to smell the fresh air.

Looking forward to something, even something simple, shifts your attitude. It gives the day a thread of light.

Remember, hope often hides in the small, ordinary things. And sometimes it shows up as a dog waiting at the door, tail thumping wildly because you are his favorite part of the day.

Dexter’s thought: "I’m always hopeful for snacks and dinner and walks and snuggles and ..."

I think Dexter has mastered the art of hopeful expectations.

Make Self-Care a Steady Practice

Self-care. Some people hear that word and cringe. I know, I used to be one of them. Until I realize that self-care isn’t indulgent, it’s necessary.

It’s drinking water, getting rest, and moving your body. Laughing, taking a nap, or reading a good book. It’s taking time for yourself, without having to apologize or make excuses to yourself or others for it.

When we run ourselves ragged, hope can feel distant. When we take care of ourselves, hope feels more within reach.

For those of us who have walked through anxiety, trauma, or long seasons of stress, self-care becomes even more essential. It builds strength and resilience and reminds you that your well-being matters.

Hope doesn’t mean ignoring hard things. It means caring for yourself through them.

Accept Who You Are

This may be the most important one.

Living with hope means living authentically. It means accepting your strengths and your shortcomings and recognizing you don’t need external validation to exist with value. I say “Amen to that!”

You are already bringing something meaningful into this world. Not because of a title, how productive you are, or for any amount of applause. But because you are here.

The more you accept your thoughts, dreams, and your story, even the chapters that were hard, the steadier your hope becomes and the easier it is to spot it. And that, my friend, is powerful.

The True Secret

The true secret of hope-filled living is being authentic. Living with intention and choosing, repeatedly, to look for the light, even when life feels dark or gray.

Remember?  It’s taking that walk, making that call, writing those words, and offering that hug.

It’s tossing out Nuggets of Hope to others, and sometimes to yourself.

And if all else fails?

Just sit, be still, or get outside. Feel the breeze on your face. Listen to the trees. Let your dog rest his head on your knee. Let your heart and mind relax.

Hope often arrives softly. You just have to be still enough to notice it. Whether that is someone offering you a nugget of hope or you being a nugget of hope to someone else. It’s gentle, authentic, and necessary.

Kim Lengling is a multi-published author, podcast host of Let Fear Bounce, and a tosser of Nuggets of Hope. Through stories of kindness, faith, healing, and the quiet wisdom of dogs (especially her faithful sidekick Dexter), she encourages people to find strength and steady hope in everyday moments. Learn more at www.kimlenglingauthor.com.

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