Hope Is the Thing with Feathers
Kyetu Catalyst. A spark to ignite change!
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I am reading a wonderful novel by Lauren Belfer called “Ashton Hall”. In it, she quotes Emily Dickinson’s famous poem 314, called “Hope”.
Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all,
And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.
I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.
I don’t know about you, but to me, these words possess an enchanting quality that resonates deep within.
Hope. That’s what I’d like to discuss in today’s Kyetu Catalyst.
I grew up being told that “hope” was a four letter word. I can hear the voices of my mentors and trusted caretakers scoffing, “What do you mean, you hope you can get it done? There is no room for hope. Just get it done!”
Is it though? Is hope a four letter word? Or is it a beautiful feathered bird that resides deep within the soul?
As an adult now, fully capable of enjoying my own agency, I’m choosing Emily Dickinson’s metaphorical exploration of hope. A bird that continually sings a tune, representing the enduring nature of hope. And despite challenges and storms, the bird remains steadfast, providing comfort and warmth.
Hope is an intrinsic part of the human experience, offering comfort and endurance in the face of adversity. It is a source of inspiration and solace. And even in extreme situations, suggests that hope is a resilient and self-sustaining force.
Take a moment now with your journal. Open a blank page and write for a few minutes, about times when you have felt despair, uncertainty, or darkness. How did hope act as a gentle reminder that even in the bleakest of times, there exists a flicker of possibility, a chance for transformation, and a belief that tomorrow may bring something brighter?
How can this concept of hope with feathers encourage us to embrace a certain lightness? A buoyancy that allows us to rise above the heaviness of life's burdens.
How can you reframe challenges, not as insurmountable obstacles, but as opportunities for growth and renewal? Just as a bird takes flight, hope propels us forward, urging us to explore the vast expanse of our potential.
Let your hope take flight, like a bird with feathers, soaring above the challenges and embracing the endless possibilities that await on the horizon. “Hope is the thing with feathers.”
Thanks for joining us on today's Kyetu Catalyst. Please share our podcast with family, friends, and in your social networks. You just might be someone else’s spark to ignite change!
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