It’s not uncommon to receive an email, or read a comment, from a chipur reader expressing just a total void of hope. And, very sadly, these feelings are often grounded in their care provider’s pessimism and insensitivity.
Several days ago chipur reader, Cindy, and I were email chatting about derealization and depersonalization (DD). After I told her overcoming DD wasn’t as complicated as she, perhaps, perceived; she shared…
“I never looked at it not being complicated. Every doctor and therapist I went to said it was very complicated and I may never feel normal again. The psychiatrist I saw said I would probably be stuck in this state forever. How can you have any hope when you hear that? I had felt like I hit a dead end with no hope ever.”
I shared more information with Cindy, and she replied…
“Thank you so much for all of this information. You have given me hope again. I haven’t had any for a long long time.”
Shame on Cindy’s physicians and therapists! There’s absolutely no excuse for such close-mindedness, pessimism, and insensitivity.
I can tell you I’ve had incredibly horrible experiences with DD in the past that left me at wit’s end. And, yes, hopeless. But through a ton of drive, and learning as much as I could about them, I’m happy to say they’ve been in my rear-view mirror for years.
And it isn’t just me. I know plenty of folks who overcame nasty presentations of DD.
Well, now that we have the table set I want to get to the very heart of the article. As the title states, H.O.P.E. is so much more than just one word. Here’s my take on all of them…
H – Humbug! The term first heard in the 18th Century means hoax or jest. You may recall the ever sour Ebeneezer Scrooge, in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, saying, “Bah! Humbug!” in response to his nephew’s Christmas sentiments. Well “Humbug!” to the supposed hopelessness of what we endure.
O – Optimism. In the face of so much negativity it’s our responsibility to locate and latch onto a true sense of optimism. It may be totally blind in the beginning; however, in time it can become very real and productive.
P – Power. Our dealings with our disorder(s) and true prospects for relief are based in our powers of reason, interpretation, reaction, guts, and drive. It’s these things that make us a very powerful and recovering individual.
E – Energy. Though we may feel exhausted and downtrodden, we must accumulate the energy to move forward. There is no life if there is no energy. And one of the best ways I know to gather tons of energy is to call upon the first three words of H.O.P.E.
I believe quality acronyms are so strong. And H.O.P.E. is a brief and to-the-point expression of strength and tomorrows. And we can carry it with us, and call upon it, 24/7!
Remember that, will you? And the next time you, or someone else, declares your situation hopeless – you carry on with that wry smile on your face, knowing just what H.O.P.E. really is.
Okay?
So how ’bout it? Why not share a comment or two with us?
