HAVING HOPE

Hope makes an extraordinary difference. Academic performances of freshman at the University of Pennsylvania were predicted more accurately by tests that measured their level of optimism than by their SAT scores or high school grades.  Daniel Goleman writes, "From the perspective of emotional intelligence, having hope means that one will not give in to overwhelming anxiety, a defeatist attitude, or depression in the face of difficult challenges or setbacks. Indeed, people who are hopeful evidence less depression than others as they maneuver through life in pursuit of their goals, are less anxious in general, and have fewer emotional distresses."  The conviction that our effort makes a difference and that we are not victims of circumstance is what keeps us persisting in the face of setbacks. It saves us from apathy, hopelessness, and despair.

-- John Ortberg in If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat


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