A Practical Roadmap for Finding and Spreading HopeSample

Day 3 Habits: Cultivating small intentional actions greatly increase hope. 

Habits can be transformative, life-giving and produce deep levels of hope. Everyone has many habits. We form them intentionally and unintentionally. It is important to not merely imitate the patterns of the world around you. What are your best and worst current habits? 

Common healthy habits include gaining sufficient sleep, exercise, and nutrition. When I felt hopeless, I knew I needed to form additional habits. I began to write down ten things every day that I was thankful for and chart my progress in terms of my physical recovery. I also made sure that my soul was nourished daily as well. New habits take time to establish. You might need another person to encourage you and hold you accountable. 

When you set goals in the area of habits, the acronym SMART might be helpful (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based). Make sure you set goals that are not too overwhelming. Don't despise small beginnings. Do the next right thing, and the results will be very encouraging. Build new habits now that lead to a more robust hope.