Reclaiming Hope: A Practice, Not Just a Possibility

I know—you probably noticed.

January came and went, and there was no new post.

To be honest, I needed that pause.

I needed time to reflect, to be, and to sit with my own thoughts before stepping into another season of writing, speaking, and guiding others in their journeys. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is to give ourselves permission not to push forward at full speed—but instead, to gather strength for what’s ahead.

Because let’s be real: The world isn’t getting any easier. The systems and structures we wish were different still stand. The challenges we face—personally and collectively—are still here. And yet, even in the midst of it all, we have a choice.

Hope.

Not the fleeting, feel-good kind.

Not the passive kind that waits for someone else to fix things.

But hope as a discipline.

Hope as a daily practice. Hope as an intentional act of defiance against despair.

"Hope doesn’t preclude feeling sadness or frustration or anger or any other emotion that makes total sense. Hope isn’t an emotion, you know? Hope is not optimism. Hope is a discipline… we have to practice it every single day."

— Mariame Kaba

Hope is a discipline because it requires work. It means making a habit of looking for possibility, even when everything around us feels stuck. It’s not about ignoring reality—it’s about choosing to engage with it from a place of agency rather than defeat.

Why This Matters in Hard Times

There are systems and structures around us that we wish were different. There are personal battles we fight every day. And while our perspective alone may not change the world overnight, it does shape how we navigate it. Hope as a discipline reminds us that:

• We can feel anger, grief, and exhaustion and still act with purpose. Feeling deeply doesn’t mean we’re weak. It means we’re human. And hope is what keeps us moving even in the face of that pain.

• We don’t have to have the answers to keep going. Sometimes hope is simply taking the next right step, even when the full path isn’t clear.

• Our daily choices build resilience. The way we choose to engage with life today—whether that’s through setting boundaries, speaking up, or simply getting out of bed—adds up over time.

Hope as a discipline is what allows us to keep showing up. To keep building. To keep believing in possibility even when the evidence isn’t obvious.

Me Power and the Discipline of Hope

At the core of Me Power is the belief that, while we may not control the world around us, we do control how we show up in it.

Our perspective alone may not dismantle oppressive structures overnight, but it can shape the way we navigate them.

Our ability to hold onto hope—especially in trying times—fuels our ability to act, to resist, to build, and to create something different.

Hope as a discipline means:

• Embracing barriers without letting them define us

• Focusing on our strengths rather than only our struggles

• Speaking for our lives, even when the world isn’t listening

• Choosing our guides wisely—because who we surround ourselves with matters

• Ritualizing reflection, so we don’t lose sight of our growth

Three ⚡️ in 31 Seconds

⚡️This skips to 1:32:30 for the final 7 minutes of something truly special—an EXPERIENCE, not just a performance. This isn’t a formal choir; it’s a group of strangers coming together to sing in community. And trust me, it’s spectacular to witness and feel. You’ve never heard Stevie Wonder’s “As” like this. Hands down, the best thing I’ve seen in 2025 so far.

⚡️Please take a moment to vote for one of my all-time favorite educators, Heather Bolles! She was my 7th grade Honors English teacher at Castle Park Middle School in Chula Vista, CA, and at the time, I was a nerdy, awkward new kid—completely devoid of hope. But Ms. Bolles saw something in me. She didn’t just nurture my love for reading—she challenged me to see just how much I could read every month. One month, I hit 50 books, and that year became my best year of reading ever—a book a day! Now, as she wraps up her final year of teaching, let’s send her off with the celebration she deserves. Vote for Heather Bolles and honor the impact she’s had on so many students like me.

⚡️Take action now and let me know how it went. Strengthen your hope with this guided journaling exercise:

1. The Barrier Check-In → What feels hard or heavy right now?
Take a deep breath. Name the challenge you’re facing. Write about it in detail—what’s happening, how it’s affecting you, and any emotions you’re carrying. This is a space for honesty.

2. The Perspective Shift → What is one small thing within my control today?
Not everything is within your power, and that’s okay. But what is? Identify one action, decision, or mindset shift you do have control over. Even if it’s small, write it down.

3. The Strength Spotlight → What strength do I already have that can help me navigate this?
Think about past challenges you’ve overcome. What qualities, skills, or inner resources helped you then? How can you apply those same strengths now? Write about a time when you used this strength successfully.

4. The Guided Action → What’s one tangible step I can take today to move forward, even if it’s small?
Hope isn’t passive—it moves. Identify a single action you can take today, no matter how minor, that brings you one step closer to progress. This could be a conversation, a boundary you set, a self-care practice, or even just changing your perspective.

5. The Future Seed → What’s one thing I’m looking forward to, no matter how small?
Even in difficult times, there are things worth anticipating. Maybe it’s a conversation with a friend, a sunrise, a book you want to read, or a goal you’re working toward. Write about something that brings even the smallest spark of excitement or comfort.