Are there coincidences or is it deeper?

You’ve been fighting so hard to take that next step in life or overcome the things that have knocked you down; you’ve been lied to and your heart’s been broken, or even worse, you are recovering from your narcissist x, you’ve lost your job due to COVID, or your career has come to a fork in the road, mid-life crisis, or you’ve simply lost your sense of purpose and drive. Maybe you’re not clinically depressed, but you’re about to give up… what to do?

The day we met.

When all was lost and I wanted to give up on everything, including life because I simply couldn’t envision the next step, the next chapter, let alone the next sentence of the story, I found an answer.

It was an answer that I had unknowingly leveraged throughout my life; an answer we all have access to. We simply forget the answers are always within reach. The shadows were seemingly too big at the team. They were too dark; overwhelmingly heavy. I didn’t want to die. I didn’t want to live. I had just lost hope on finding an answer.

Ironically, what saved me was the very thing I had given up on… hope! More specifically, a dog I had named Hope.

He was a rescue with a number and a computer generated name.

We spent 15 minutes at the animal shelter in the outside run together. He ignored me; that hurt! Even a dog didn’t want my love at the time. Then, as I was about to give up on him, he walked over, stood up, placed his paws on my shoulder, wagged his tail and smiled. That smile said so much. It changed things even more.

“Take me home. I am choosing you,’ he said.

But wait.

“I came here to choose a dog.”

Sometimes I believe there are no coincidences and that things happen because they must; we cross paths with certain souls at specific moments designed to teach us, help us, or ask something of us to give. The dog I actually came to visit had already been adopted. I had arrived too late and hadn’t even noticed Kibo. The assistant suggested I look some more.

Kibo just barked like most of the other dogs. He looked big and menacing. Who wouldn’t bark like that caged up, sensing your hours are up; either bark or silently die of a broken heart before the injection kills you.

The second he put his paws on my shoulder and chose me, I was filled with purpose and hope. I was going to take care of something other than me. At the time, I was at my lowest. Life had never been this dark and helpless. Most days I had trouble getting out of bed. At least I now had a reason to get out of bed; even if only to feed and walk my new dog. Kibo, means hope in Japanese.

Getting out of bed gradually became the new standard. The walks became longer and more fulfilling. The shadows lifted their burdens. I simply focused on being there for Kibo… really he was there for me. He was sent to give me hope when I had lost it. I clung to that ember of hope named Kibo. Angels wear strange disguises; this one dressed up as an Akita-Shepherd mix.

Hope turned into optimism. Optimism turned into action… baby steps. Without hope, I may have been writing a very different blog.

When are you on the verge of giving up, find one thing that gives you a glimmer of hope. Cling to it for dear life. Nurture it with every gram of energy you have in your soul. Allow that distant flicker of light to grow. One day, you will wake up and realize that it is no longer night all of the time. It may not happen over night, but with enough hope, it will happen. Enjoy the dawn. Life offers us new beginnings. We must sometimes dig deep. Hope is always there lingering, waiting to be called. It is your best friend; even if not a dog.

Hope is not an empty notion conceived by poets. It is real. Substantial scientific research has been done to show that hope changes and saves lives. (watch the video). I share and express hope in many ways; including through my artistic creations. Check out my HOPE line for Shokaku Apparel.

Sometimes we need hope from external sources. Take it, use it borrow it. Other times, it is our turn to be the hope for another soul. It is an eternal flame that gets continually shared and passed on. Thank you Kibo.

Sincerely,

VITAL ‘inspire’ GERMAINE: designing resilient mindsets that reach higher

Mindset Coach, speaker, consultant & 6-time Author

IMAGINE • CREATE • BECOME