This week (Tuesday, to be specific). I started a new project on Instagram. Each day, I’m posting one (possibly more, at least one) of things that inspire hope for me. After all, the Spread Hope Project is all about, well, spreading hope, and I want that message of hope to come through on my social media. Particularly, it’s the idea that hope can be found in seemingly average, every day pieces of life, along with of course those bigger moments that are more noticeable.
Among these pictures, as this project progresses, you’ll proabably notice themes among those things that make me most hopeful – animals, nature, sunrises, new places, open spaces, coffee and coffee shops (hey, it keeps me awake, and also, great places for creativity), books and anyplace with them, writing and creative pursuits, and probably a lot more.
I’ve decided to do a summary of each week here on my blog, because, well, not everyone is on all social media. Plus, I think pulling the individual images/representations of hope together can help to increase the effect. I get to see, weekly, just how many hopeful things there are surrounding me in my every day life, and I get to share it with you. And if that helps or inspires hope in anyone, well, that’s the point of the Spread Hope Project!
A note on the photos – they aren’t all “real time”. Especially as this is the first week, I had to pull up some from the past. But I plan, as I go forward, to try to post more things in real time. An additional note: I started this week on Tuesday, so this first week has only four pics. From here on out, I’ll probably be including Saturday to Friday pics, since Friday tends to be my last major online (read), blogging, day of the week.
Hope is a warm mug of coffee on a chilly morning! Sometimes, it’s the little things, like a cozy, caffeinated way to start your day.
Hope is realizing that what you thought was a big scary empty bag is actually filled with delicious french fries! Often it’s the things that seem the scariest that end up being the most rewarding. (Featured: My dog Grace on her birthday).
Hope is experiencing a gorgeous sunset in an amazing place. New day, new opportunities, new hope. Also, open spaces can feel so freeing!
Hope is thousands of luminaries at the end of the 16-18 mile AFSP Overnight Walk for Suicide Prevention. You are not alone.
Follow the Spread Hope Project on Instagram for more in depth details about the pictures, and to follow our daily journey of Spreading Hope. Have a suggestion for a picture, or want to share one of your own – just tag us, and use the hashtags #HopeIs and #SpreadHopeProject.
With Hope,
Maya
Spread Hope Project 