*originally posted on January 25th, 2021
Whether it is unforeseen circumstances, personal failures or flaws, or fate itself, I think we sometimes feel rather beaten down by life, like our hopes and goals are no longer achievable. Especially in the midst of this pandemic, life has been challenging. Everyone has encountered disappointments, faced grief and heartache, or had to postpone plans. It’s not been easy for anyone, and so I just want to write this post to let you know that your feelings and experiences matter. The pandemic has brought hardships, and I think it is important to let yourself acknowledge that, but I also hope that after reading this post, you will feel a little inspired to let yourself “believe in good things to come” (Jeffrey R. Holland).
So, how can we have hope for our dreams when we are in the midst of a pandemic or other trials? We can place our trust in God, who makes all things work for our good if we love and serve Him (Romans 8:28). But that is far easier to write than to actually weave into the course of our daily lives. I think that a step to trusting God is to let Him into our lives, to pray to Him about our concerns, worries, hopes, and wishes, and He will speak peace to our souls. Also, I think that we can feel hope by embracing gratitude. Russel M. Nelson issued a 7-day social media challenge last Thanksgiving, inviting people to post about what they are grateful for. As I did the challenge, posting about what I was appreciative of helped me see that I have a lot to be grateful for (such as delicious dessert pizza! And friends and family of course 😊).
Also, being aware of and grateful for the people in your life helps. With the pandemic, I know some are feeling extra lonely and may be truly isolated, and I hope you have been able to find ways to be connected to others. Personally, I have been blessed to visit family and still have contact with friends, but I often spend a lot of time thinking about what I am missing out on- going to large parties and interacting with lots of different people. But I think it could be helpful for me, and for anyone who is having similar feelings, to be grateful for those moments you do have with close friends or the people you live with. Eating a homemade meal with my brother and his wife (they are such good cooks, let me tell you!) or watching my roommate take the time to make her breakfast smoothie at night, (just so she won’t wake me up in the morning), helps me feel a little more positive and happier.
However, sometimes life is rough, and there may be times when you struggle to feel gratitude, but I think what is more important than actually being thankful at times is to simply keep trying. Also, I believe that another way to feel hope at this time is to band together with people, to share with them your stories and listen to theirs. Maybe your coworker, neighbor, or friend is feeling the same way as you, and sharing your experiences with one another can help you both feel less alone and more understood. Connection and understanding are powerful tools of hope.
Also, there are many important social issues confronting the world. There is a need for greater knowledge, greater empathy, and greater kindness. Whatever battle you are waging, please know that you have a voice, and you are not alone. The Savior is there to comfort, guide, and strengthen you and provide you with unconditional love in a world that is becoming increasingly divided. But even you, one individual, can create more unity and love in the world. You can fight for your dreams and the dreams of others with His help.
Sometimes I do wonder if my dreams are meant to be. Or not meant to be. The pandemic has certainly been a challenge for us all, and we may wonder if things will turn out well for us. When worried about delayed dreams or frustrated plans, I have found comfort in these words by Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life story will develop.” Your life will be shaped by your responses to your trials, not the trials themselves. As Cassius says to Brutus in Shakespeare’s play Julius Caesar: “the fault…is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” You, not fate, determine your destiny.
Even though I know that I control my destiny, sometimes I worry that my dreams are simply not meant to be. Without realizing she was addressing this deep concern of mine, one of my companions on my mission wrote me a letter with the most hopeful words I have ever read: “You can do anything you want. Be anything you dream. God has a plan for you, yes, but He is very mindful of what you want as well, just like any loving father would be.” Yes, there will be plenty of bumps and roadblocks on our life journey, but I also believe that God has given us certain abilities and talents that will allow us to serve Him and the people around us with creativity and joy, while empowering us to pursue our dreams.
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