Hope & Going Back to the Beginning

It's an exercise.

Hope Matters

Hey, Hope Buddies!

Well, it’s been a week. A long week. An emotional week. However, here I am, doing well and sipping my coffee as I type you this hopeletter. I’m okay. I’m also hopeful, while being mindful and aware.

If I haven’t told you, I’ve been participating in a fellowship for a little over a year. Well, this week I attended a convening of the fellows. You should know I didn’t want to attend; I was emotionally and physically exhausted. My soul was weary. But, it was the convening I didn’t know I needed.

During one of our breakout sessions, we were discussing our previous experiential exercises, one of which was an electric maze. (I’m going to explain this as best I can in words, but I really wish I could show you video). The electric maze is a huge rectangular mat sectioned off into squares. Underneath some of the squares is a trigger that will buzz if you step on it. However, there is a way across without stepping on any; the entire team has to find it and get across. So, needless to say, there’s an enormous amount of trial and error. Also, there’s another team on the other side attempting to do the same thing, with each team taking a turn trying to get across from their side. Now, there are a couple of stipulations: we couldn’t verbally guide our teammates across, and we had to remember which ones had triggers and didn’t. I’m sure you can imagine the level of pointing, grunting, and facepalms that ensued as we each took turns trying to get across. Also, we wouldn’t be finished with the exercise until every single person from each side had crossed over to the other side without incident.

As we were discussing this exercise from the previous convening, one of my fellow fellows remarked that the most intriguing part for her was how we had to retrace our steps to go back to the beginning.

There was a collective “Hmmm…🤔” at our table. I went straight to my notes in my phone, because…thought-provoking, and I needed to write about this. So, here we are, Hope Buddies, with me writing about it.

While reflecting on her statement, I thought about its application to my life and how sometimes going back to the beginning re-energizes me, sometimes it frustrates me. Like…

However, either result in some form of action in a positive direction. We often view having to go back or start over as negative, but the beginning is where the revelation happened and the energy surged, either from frustration or ideation. Should we keep moving and stepping on triggers until we get to the other side, how much more frustrating would that be than simply going back to the beginning, looking at the big picture, remembering missteps, and plotting a better path. It is slower than continuing to activate those triggers, but it’s more satisfying in the end. And once you make it to the other side, you can help others-who are traveling the same path-avoid those triggers. You’ve got the map!

Hope Buddies, let’s stop looking for quick fixes or the quickest way to get across, especially if it’s triggering. This is your reminder to retrace your steps away from the triggered path and go back to the beginning if you need. Be frustrated. Be renewed. Take a good look at it. Then, start over. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay. You’ll make it across with restored energy and a better strategy.

Love y’all!

Parthenia

Coffee Matters

Coffee Buddies, this morning I’m just drinking my Northshore Speciality Coffee Ethiopia Yirgacheffe blend (from a standard coffee pot) and hydrating while writing.

Hope you all make time for some radical self-care today as you prepare to go back to the beginning. ☕️

What are you hoping and sipping this week?

I appreciate you taking the time to read this hopeletter about my life and coffee. Please share with a friend who could use a little hope or coffee recommendation.