In my opinion the advertisement above is VERY clever & brings to light an interesting contrast – should you fill someone with hope or unveil the reality?
Hope
Hope is such a wonderful state of mind.
It fills us with so much optimism that it instantly brings this euphoria as if the thing we desire or expect has already happened.
We feel on top of the world, ready to conquer anything, until we realize nothing actionable has occurred yet, and that’s when reality kicks in.
Reality
On the contrary, reality can be such a gloomy state of mind – it gives you the same feeling as when you see dark clouds starting to move in.
All of a sudden you are filled with all this doubt, so unsure that your actions become frozen, and yet your thoughts are rampant.
The hope you once had has dissipated, and it’s been replaced with a tremendous amount of self-doubt & worry.
Can the two co – exist?
Whilst I’ve painted the two states of mind in certain lights above it should be noted that there are positives and negatives to both.
Hope can be a great motivator; however, it can also lead to tremendous disappointment, frustration, and even anger if it doesn’t eventuate and is not properly managed.
As mentioned above reality can be a bit of a downer, however it can also help avoid us having ‘blind’ hope where we think things are just going to happen.
I have found myself conflicted between these two states of minds personally, but also often do when working with adolescents.
It is tricky striking the right balance.
Making sure they’re aware of the circumstances at hand & what is required from them whilst not being a deterrent (reality); and instilling a tremendous amount of belief that they can manage the circumstances & accomplish the requirements whilst not filling them with falsity (hope).
If you can implement what I’ve written above then I believe it will lead to ‘Real Hope’ – this state of mind which says, ‘I’m aware, undeterred, and still believing in myself’.
This should be the objective!
