H, Author at Hope Reflected

Saturday

15

February 2014

Hope, She Wrote: The Art of Patience

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Hope's How-To, Published Work

Here’s an excerpt from my latest column in The Minto Express:

Two words that I have always been fascinated by – and admittedly, sometimes annoyed by – are patience and longsuffering. Ever found yourself to be in the midst of what you’d call a “trying” time, where you feel tested or like a certain “life season” will never end? Welcome to the club! And isn’t it annoying when someone says to you “just be patient”. Way easier said than done!

Patience and longsuffering are another couple of words that are destined to be together – if we’re going to be successful at either.

Our English word patience comes from the Greek word hypomone, which is a compound word composed of hypo (a preposition that means ‘under’) and moneo (a verb that means to ‘abide’ or ‘remain’). From this, we take that patience is to ‘abide’, ‘endure’, or ‘remain under’ difficult circumstances when we can’t avoid them and have to go through them.

Similarly, our English word longsuffering in Greek is makrothumia, which comes from the compound makros (which means ‘long’ or ‘far’) and thumos (temper, referring specifically to ‘wrath’ or ‘fierceness’). So the Greek definition of longsuffering indicates remaining emotionally calm in the face of trying or unfavourable circumstances.¹ The point of what I’m trying to say here is this: Patience is practicing endurance in this race we call life, and longsuffering is the attitude or frame of mind we have while we’re going through whatever life throws at us. Makes sense, right? The hard part is putting it into practice.

Here are a few ways to put patience and the attitude of longsuffering into action:

Identify what makes you feel impatient: Are you stressed out with too many deadlines? What about personal commitments? Are you stretching yourself thin by “burning the candle at both ends”? What can you let go of, or delegate to others?

Recognize unhealthy patterns: When you feel impatient or stressed, keep track of these instances, and address them head-on.

Let it go: I know, this is like that annoying “just be patient” statement. But seriously, practicing an attitude of “longsuffering” (emotional calmness) can have incredible impact on your patience. Adjust your attitude, pray about it, talk to a close friend – all healthy exercises. Also, look out rather than in – instead of focusing on the circumstances that make you feel impatient, refocus to put others first.

The virtue of patience can mean the difference between good and great for your life. If you’re feeling impatient when things don’t happen right away, remember that it takes 6 months to build a Rolls-Royce, and only 13 hours to build a Toyota.

¹Garland, Tony. “Patience vs. Longsuffering.” Spirit and Truth, December 28, 2012.

Robertson, Hope. “Practicing Patience.” Minto Express 12 February 2014: 5. Print.

Monday

3

February 2014

Hope, She Wrote: Attitude of Gratitude

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Hope's How-To, Published Work

Have you ever gone out in the middle of the winter and opted to wear only one glove? Didn’t think so. It just wouldn’t make sense.

Have you ever seen a bird with only one wing? Makes it pretty difficult to fly, right?

It’s the same thing with gratitude and thanksgiving. You really can’t have one without the other. Whenever you possess the quality of gratitude and experience the feeling it brings, it’s a natural inclination to express this by giving thanks and showing appreciation.

I’m not sure why people tend to wait until the holiday season to express their gratitude through thanksgiving. Maybe it’s the warmth that comes along with a fire or the smell of baking in the oven that inspires people to come closer together and be more open with what’s on their hearts. I’d like to suggest that we shouldn’t wait until the holidays to possess an attitude of gratitude. Having an attitude of gratitude is something we can practice on a daily basis throughout the entire year.

G.K. Chesterton once said “when it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.” Now that’s a statement that causes conviction. So often I find myself getting caught up complaining about things or circumstances that others might actually consider a blessing. Think of what a better place our world would be if we all made a conscious effort to act with thanksgiving and demonstrate our gratitude.

Expressing gratitude through acts of thanksgiving need not be complex, difficult, or expensive. There are several simple ways we can demonstrate our gratitude to others.

Write a handwritten note of thanks – National Hand-Writing Day is celebrated annually on January 23, but why wait until next year to write a quick note? Write a simple note of thanks to someone who’s made a difference in your life, or someone who recently helped you out. Even if it’s just one specific sentence of something they did that made a difference to you, the sentiment comes from your heart, and that will make someone’s day brighter.

Do something thoughtful – whether it’s making lunch for a friend, buying a coffee for the person behind you in the drive-thru lineup, or surprising someone with a few flowers, sincere acts of thoughtfulness can have a lasting impact.

Listen – This is a big one. Ever found yourself formulating your next sentence while you’re in conversation? Yeah, try not doing that for once and truly absorbing what your friend or family member has to say. You might be surprised at the significance of your sincerity.

Smile – Seriously, people. It costs nothing, and it makes complete sense – smiling is so much easier than stink-face.

I’ll close with this thought from John Fitzgerald Kennedy (aka the 35^th President of the Unite States of America, known to his friends and family as “Jack”): “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” It’s as much a challenge for me writing this, as it is for you reading.

Robertson, Hope. “Attitude of Gratitude.” Minto Express 29 January 2014: 5. Print.

Thursday

23

January 2014

Hope’s How-To: Write a Handwritten Letter

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Hope's How-To, Published Work

Graphique de France La Petite Presse boxed note cards, $10 for 10.

December 7 and January 23. Two random dates, but there’s one thing — at least one that I know of — that ties them together: December 7 is celebrated annually as national letter writing day, and January 23 is known as national handwriting day.

I love snail mail. Unfortunately though, as I alluded to a few years ago, the handwritten letter is a dying art. And why is that? Sure, the cost of postage is constantly increasing, but comparable to other acts of thoughtfulness, sending a handwritten note is one of the simplest, most sincere ways of showing your gratitude.

Derek Blasberg’s smart designs for Paperless Post, $5 each or $19 for 10.

Getting inspired to write can be a challenge, especially if you don’t have a designated writing desk, or if you don’t have proper stationery at your finger tips. I’m a big fan of personalized stationery, like Smythson’s correspondence cards (see image below). If you don’t want to break the bank, Paperless Post has a great inventory of designs (for both online and print) featuring some fantastic designers (like Derek Blasberg, check out one of his witty designs above). Another option is Graphique de France’s La Petite Presse line (featuring darling designs on quality card stock, see top image).

Smythson personalized note cards, approx. $325 for 50.

Saying thank you or highlighting from your heart how someone has made an impact on you doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple by following these steps on how to write a handwritten letter:

Start with a sentence. Get specific with why you’re writing. “I’m writing to say thank you for …”
Keep it short. Remember, you’re writing a handwritten letter, not a dissertation.
Share from your heart. Maybe there’s a quote or a verse that’s spoken to you recently that you want to pass along. Write it down and reference it.
Date your correspondence. Sure it’s trivial, but years down the road, if the recipient looks back over your note in review, they’ll appreciate recalling the date they received your letter.
Sign it and send it in the mail. This is key. Picking up personalized mail in the post is an absolute delight.

Saturday

18

January 2014

Hope, She Wrote: On the subject of serving others

Written by H, Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

A new year paves the pathway to new adventures, and one path I’m particularly pleased about is my recent post as columnist for The Minto Express. Below you’ll find an excerpt from my first exposition for the popular weekly paper.

I’m not sure when I first answered the call, but volunteering for me has long been a vital part of life. When I was a child, my parents instilled in me the importance of serving others as a complement to my faith, and as long as I can remember, I have thrived off the soul-satisfying sweetness of even the simplest act of helping another.

Ironically, volunteering is typically characterized by selflessly providing service to help an organization or an individual; however, there is an incomparable sense of satisfaction that settles in one’s soul as a result of service to others. Volunteering is just as much an exchange as it is an act of giving.

You may be thinking that you don’t have time to volunteer or extend a helping hand, and I get that. We live in a world that is increasingly gaining momentum. We’re always connected, always on the go, and consistently encouraged to push our limits and plunk more on our plates and to-do lists. In fact, it’s not “cool” to have free time or a night off these days. It’s easy to get caught up using the bad word “busy” (hey, I’m just as guilty as anyone), but it’s important to remember to make time for the things that really matter.

Maltbie Babcock (early American writer, you may remember him as author of the famous hymn ‘This is My Father’s World’) once said that “the workshop of character is everyday life. The uneventful and commonplace hour is where the battle is lost or won.” What we do in those rare hours when we don’t have anything to do is what really counts. And what could be better than sharing some of your spare time with someone in need? Everybody, at some point in his life, has a need. Not everybody makes the time – or has the willingness – to help.

There are several reasons why people volunteer – to fill a need, to feel needed, to gain skills, to make an impact, to feel proud, for exercise, – and whatever your motive, remember this: When you serve others, you’re fulfilling one of your life’s purposes.

Robertson, Hope. “On the subject of serving others.” Minto Express 15 January 2014: 5. Print.

Wednesday

1

January 2014

Verses of Encouragement

Written by H, Posted in Uncategorized

There is a certain sense of expectation that comes with the commencement of a new year — the sense that change is coming, whether it’s a direct result of our own introspection, or the result of circumstances beyond our control. And it’s the changes beyond our control that many find hard to accept.

I’ve put together some verses of encouragement from the Bible about peace, joy, and gratitude. These are three attributes that can significantly impact our everyday actions, as well as our reactions to changing circumstances.

I hope that you will find these verses uplifting as you begin your journey into a new year. [All verses are taken from the King James Version, unless otherwise noted.]

Verses about PEACE

Psalm 4:8 – I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 34:14b – Seek peace, and pursue it.

Psalm 34:14b (KJV)

Isaiah 26:3 – Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

Isaiah 54:10 – For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.

Isaiah 54:10 (KJV)

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Verses about JOY

Nehemiah 8:10b – For the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Psalm 16:11 – Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 32:11 – Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Psalm 32:11 (KJV)

Psalm 119:111 – Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage forever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

Verses about GRATITUDE

Psalm 50:14 – Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High.

Psalm 107:1 – O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Ephesians 5:20 – Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…

1 Timothy 2:1 – I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)

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Author Archive

15

Hope, She Wrote: The Art of Patience

Robertson, Hope. “Practicing Patience.” Minto Express 12 February 2014: 5. Print.

3

Hope, She Wrote: Attitude of Gratitude

Robertson, Hope. “Attitude of Gratitude.” Minto Express 29 January 2014: 5. Print.

23

Hope’s How-To: Write a Handwritten Letter

18

Hope, She Wrote: On the subject of serving others

Robertson, Hope. “On the subject of serving others.” Minto Express 15 January 2014: 5. Print.

1

Verses of Encouragement

Verses about PEACE

Verses about JOY

Verses about GRATITUDE

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