Hope as a Noun

I have been cleaning out some of my old lesson plan files from work. Yes, T-Man is now 2 and I am still working on this. I don't know where I found this lesson plan, but I know I wanted to use it when I taught both Child Development and Independent Living.

The Twelve Gifts of Birth: HOPE

Author: Charlene A. Costanzo

"As a noun, hope is an attitude of optimism. As a verb, hope is actively wishing for something we want or a particular outcome. Every day we all wish for things and use hope in this way. The gift of hope includes this but it is more: it is a sense of deep trust in what is and what is to come. Just like a real rainbow in the sky appearing after a rainstorm, the rainbow symbol reminds us to hope.

Good Fortune, Bad Fortune

Life is always changing. Often, situations that first seem bad turn out to be good in some way. By the same token, sometimes situations that seem positive may turn out to give us new challenges. The gift of Hope reminds us to always look for the good that can be found. All situations give us opportunities to practice and learn more about Compassion, Wisdom, Courage….all our gifts.

There is a Chinese story that goes like this…

Long ago there was a hopeful farmer who lost his favorite horse, a mare. Besides helping the farmer with his work, she was like a friend. One day she just wandered away. The old man searched for her but could not find her anywhere. His neighbors went out to look for her too. When the horse could not be found, the neighbors all tried to console the farmer. “We are sorry that this bad fortune happened to you,” they said.

The farmer said, “Thank you for helping me search for my horse and for your condolences, but we shall see what happens. Good fortune, bad fortune. Things are always changing.”

A few weeks later the horse returned. With her walked another horse, a strong stallion. “Good fortune!” said the neighbors.

In time the mare gave birth to a foal. “Good fortune!” said the neighbors.

A few months later, the man’s son broke his legs while trying to ride the untamed young horse. “Oh, bad fortune!” said the neighbors.

“We shall see,” said the hopeful farmer.

The son’s legs soon began to heal. “Good fortune,” said the neighbors. The farmer just smiled. In time the son walked again but with a slight limp.

“Oh, too bad. Bad fortune,” said the neighbors.

“We shall see,” said the farmer.

A year later a terrible war broke out. Most young men were called away. Many never returned. Because the farmer’s son walked with a limp, he was considered unsuitable as a soldier. He stayed on the farm and survived to live a long life."

I hope my "limp" will turn into good fortune for me someday!