I have always had a tricky relationship with the concept of hope.
It started when I worked as a Spiritual Care Practitioner at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Every day, nine days a fortnight, I would sit with people and their loved ones going through cancer treatment. Some in the early stages, some in the end stages and many in between.
I engaged. And conversed with curiosity. Sometimes confusion.
I realised just how complex and nuanced hope is as a process.
Here’s some of what I learnt:
Hope can be a wonderful motivating force for good and bring you into alignment with what really matters to you most.
Hope based on a particular outcome can be a rollercoaster ride. I’m worthy when I get there, or I’m a failure if I don’t.
Hope manifested via wishful thinking can create a certain passivity, without a strategy your desires are unlikely to manifest.
Hope can coexist with fears. Two polarized parts of multidimensional mind.
In my therapy practice, hope is a powerful force for post traumatic growth as it boosts clarity, motivation for change and fosters greater agency.
I am so grateful to all of those patients, carers and staff at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre for their generosity in sharing their inner most selves with me.
What an incredible gift they offered me:
HOPE in the power of connection to heal.
If you are experiencing challenges with your relationship to hope, counselling is a great way to make lasting positive change.
Let’s talk. I am open to answering your questions and talking to you about my counselling approach without any pressure to book a session.
Call 0428 764 746
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