One of my New Year resolutions is to keep hope in my heart no matter what! Sometimes it can be difficult to keep on keeping on being optimistic in the face of all that is going on in the world. The media are usually more inclined to report on the challenges and troubles in the world, rather than the good things. I try to keep up with what is going on in the world so I have a focus for my prayers, but not watching or listening to too many oft-repeated details of the problems. I think it is good to try to get the balance right - feet on the ground, but heart and head filled with optimism!
I really loved our Queen's speech on Christmas day; I felt she got this balance just right. She acknowledged the difficulties of the past year and the present time, yet helped us be thankful for and celebrate the goodness in the world, and all the efforts being made by so many people, and 'the kindness of strangers'. She reminded us of the celebration of International Nurses Day on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale who 'shone a lamp of hope across the world'. She went on to say, 'Today our front line services still shine that lamp for us, supported by the amazing achievements of modern science, and we owe them a debt of gratitude. We continue to be inspired by the kindness of strangers and draw comfort that - even on the darkest nights there is hope in the new dawn.'
White Eagle's teaching always encourages us all to keep hope in our hearts. He gently and lovingly acknowledges the difficulties of life in the physical, yet lifts our thoughts towards positive outcomes. So this is his New Year message to us: to keep on keeping on with hope in our hearts! He says, 'We see a beauitful shining light that is beyond the clouds, and so we bring you this message of hope. Peace be with you. All will be well. Have no fear. Give your trust that is all. Trust and have courage. The tests you are called upon to undergo have their bright side and the cloud has not just a silver lining but even a golden one.'
